Yorkshire Dales & York

Yorkshire Dales & York. Leisure Cycling Tours in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.

The start of the tour will be Skipton or Ilkley:
Leeds/Bradford Airport (12-20 km)
Manchester Airport 1.5 hours train journey (change at Leeds)
Hull Ferries: 2.5 hours drive

Day 1 / Arrival. Stay overnight in the delightful town of Skipton which boasts a classic Yorkshire market area and some cobbled streets, as well as a medieval castle built in 1090.

Day 2 / Ride 1 - 48 Kilometers. Skipton to Hawes. Set up and test the bikes. The majority of today’s ride is along the beautiful valley of Wharfedale, right to the source of the river nestled in the hillside approaching Fleet Moss, one of the most impressive hills in the Yorkshire Dales. This is the only high hill you will cycle on the tour, but the view as you look down on your evening stop at Hawes will take your breath away. Route highlights: Wharfedale, Villages of Grassington, Kettlewell and Buckden, Kilnsey Crag, Source of the River Wharfe, Fleet Moss

Day 3 / Ride 2. 46 Kilometers. Hawes to Masham. Today you venture down Wensleydale to the market town of Masham, with it’s 18th century Georgian market square, where your hotel is located. Plenty of places to visit on the cycle ride today, but save some time for a tour of the famous Black Sheep Brewery and of course sample a well deserved taste of the produce! Route highlights: Aysgarth Water Falls, Castle Bolton, Middleham Castle (built 1190), Jervaux Abbey (one of the great Cistertian abbeys in Yorkshire), Black Sheep Brewery tour

Day 4 / Ride 3. 48 Kilometers. Masham to Pateley Bridge. Today you head south out of Wensleydale to Pateley Bridge set in the Nidd Valley. The route takes you via Fountains Abbey, one of the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England and a World Heritage site. In contrast, you also pass by Brigham Rocks, an amazing collection of natural rock formations. Route highlights: Fountains Abbey, Studley Royal Gardens, Brimham Rocks

Day 5 / Ride 4. 43 Kilometers. Pateley Bridge to Thirsk. Today we head east and experience two classic Yorkshire market towns. Firstly, you ride down Nidderdale to Ripon where you definitely need to stop off for a while, stroll round the market square and visit the impressive cathedral. Then it’s on to the overnight stop in Thirsk, right on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors. Route highlights: Nidderdale Museum (Pateley Bridge), The oldest sweet shop in the world!, Ripon Cathedral

Day 6 / Ride 5. 39 Kilometers. Thirsk to York. Today you enjoy a journey south through the Vale of York to the city of York, founded by the ancient Romans. Its huge 13th-century Gothic cathedral, York Minster, has medieval stained glass and 2 functioning bell towers. The City Walls form a walkway on both sides of the River Ouse. Your hotel is right in the heart of the city. Route highlights: York Minster, Medieval City Walls, York Dungeon, Jorvik Viking Centre, York Castle museum

Day 7 / Sightseeing in York. A full day sightseeing in York. So much to do and see in this historic city. Overnight stay in York. Highlights: York Minster, Medieval City Walls, York Dungeon, Jorvik Viking Centre, York Castle museum