Top 5 Scenic Cycles in North Yorkshire: Where to Base Yourself for the Best Views

From the Moors to the Dales, here’s where to ride and which town to book for the best access.

Moorland loops from Pickering

The 24-mile Pickering–Rosedale loop is the classic introduction to the North York Moors. From Pickering’s steam railway station, you climb through Newtondale to Levisham, then on to Rosedale Abbey, where the old ironstone kilns sit above the valley. The return via Cropton and Wrelton gives you long views across the Vale of Pickering. Road surfaces are generally good, but after rain the minor lanes carry grit. Spring and early autumn are the sweet spots; July and August bring the busiest roads. Pickering has plentiful B&Bs and a couple of small hotels, typically from £85–£120 a night for a double midweek.

If you want to base in Pickering, book on or near Eastgate or Market Place – you can walk to cafés and the start of the ride. For a quieter stay, consider Levisham or Lockton, but you’ll need a car for the first mile. The loop is manageable in 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace, with a decent café stop at Rosedale Abbey. Skip the A170 on weekends; take the minor road through Wrelton instead. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs alongside part of the route, so you can shorten the day by hopping on a train if legs tire.

Wensleydale and the Buttertubs

The 32-mile Hawes–Buttertubs–Thwaite loop is the Dales at their most dramatic. From Hawes, head north on the B6255, climbing past the Buttertubs Pass with its limestone potholes, then drop into Swaledale at Thwaite. The return via Muker and the B6270 gives you a gentler run along the River Swale. This is serious climbing – around 2,500 feet of ascent – so an e-bike or a compact chainset helps. May, June and September are ideal; the road over Buttertubs can be closed by snow in winter. Hawes has a handful of hotels and inns, typically £90–£140 for a double, and a youth hostel if you’re on a budget.

Book a room in Hawes if you want to walk to pubs and the Dales Countryside Museum. Alternatively, base in Reeth or Muker for a quieter start to the ride. The loop takes 3–4 hours with stops. Don’t attempt the Buttertubs in dense fog or high winds – the exposed section has no shelter. For a shorter option, ride Hawes to Muker and back on the B6270, which is 16 miles and mostly flat. The creamery in Hawes is a good place to stock up before you set off.

The Way of the Roses and Nidderdale

The Way of the Roses is a 170-mile coast-to-coast route from Morecambe to Bridlington, but the Nidderdale section between Pateley Bridge and Ripon is the most scenic 25 miles. You follow the River Nidd through Glasshouses and Summerbridge, then climb over Brimham Rocks – a National Trust site with millstone grit formations – before dropping into Ripon with its cathedral. The route is mostly on quiet lanes and minor roads, well signed with blue cycle route markers. Traffic is light outside weekends. Pateley Bridge has several B&Bs and a couple of hotels, roughly £80–£110 for a double, while Ripon offers more choice, from £70–£130.

Base in Pateley Bridge if you want to ride straight from the door and enjoy the Nidd valley. Ripon suits those who want a larger town with restaurants and a bus station. The Nidderdale section is best in late spring when the hedgerows are in flower, or in October for autumn colours. Skip the A61 into Harrogate – it’s fast and unpleasant. Instead, extend the ride by heading up to Scar House Reservoir, a 10-mile detour with a steady climb and a rewarding view. There’s a good café at How Stean Gorge if you need a break.

Coast and moor: Whitby to Rosedale

The 38-mile Whitby–Rosedale Abbey loop takes in the best of the coast and the moors. Start in Whitby, climb out on the A171 towards Sleights, then turn inland on the Egton road to reach Rosedale Abbey. The return via Castleton and Danby gives you a fast descent back to the coast. You’ll gain around 3,000 feet, so it’s a full day. Whitby has the widest range of accommodation – from £65 for a basic double to £180 for a sea-view hotel. Book early for summer weekends, when the town fills up. The ride is best from April to October; winter can bring ice on the moor roads.

Base in Whitby if you want to combine cycling with beach walks and fish and chips. For a quieter base, consider Grosmont or Danby – both have small hotels and are on the route. The section between Egton and Rosedale is remote; carry two bottles and a spare tube. Avoid the A171 on summer Sundays when traffic is heavy. If you’re short on time, drive to Rosedale Abbey and ride the moor circuit from there – it’s 18 miles and still gives you the big views. The pub in Rosedale Abbey does a solid lunch.

Questions, answered

What’s the best month for cycling in North Yorkshire?

May, June and September offer the best mix of dry roads, long daylight and manageable traffic. July and August are busiest, especially in the Dales and on the coast. Winter riding is possible but expect ice on high moorland routes like the Buttertubs.

Do I need a car to reach these routes?

Not necessarily. Pickering and Whitby have railway stations, and Pateley Bridge is on a bus route from Harrogate. But for the remote loops like Hawes–Buttertubs or Whitby–Rosedale, a car makes access much easier, especially if you want to start early.

Which town is best for a first-time cycling visit?

Pickering is a good first base – it’s on the edge of the Moors, has easy access to the Rosedale loop and plenty of places to stay. For more challenging riding, Hawes in Wensleydale puts you right under the Buttertubs Pass.

← North Yorkshire's page