Tourist informationyorkshire.com/yorkshire-dales/
DESTINATION
The grooved valleys, sinuous rivers and panoramic passes make the verdant Yorkshire Dales one of Britain’s showcase cycling regions. No wonder the 2014 Tour de France kicked off with its screen-filling scenery. (They enjoyed closed roads, but the cycle.travel website offers a very close alternative route on some of the Dales’ many quiet, picturesque back lanes.) Rugged farms, robust market towns, and cyclist-friendly fireside pubs and cafes help, too.
There are at least three dozen named dales in this imposing north-western chunk of Yorkshire, just about every one a cycling joy. Candidates for the grandest include Swaledale (fjord-like in its upper reaches between Keld and Muker); Wharfedale (most cinematic, with film-set Kettlewell, Grassington, and Bolton Abbey); and Wensleydale (broad and lush, with vivacious market town Hawes, and All Creatures Great and Small’s Askrigg). You’ll likely have the off-radar ones to yourself: quiet Coverdale; Kingsdale with its secret caves; or Littondale and its wonderfully remote pub.
Admire two striking lakes – Malham Tarn and Semerwater – and refresh in unique pubs (notably isolated Tan Hill Inn: Britain’s highest, at 528m/1,732ft, with live music, B&B and bunkhouse).
Hurdle the moortops, up and over between the relatively flat dales ground floors, for some of Britain’s most sweeping vistas – and challenging climbs. Buttertubs, north of Hawes, is a must-bag; but the parallel pass to the east has equally lordly views, and far less traffic. Scale the heights of Park Rash; the Coal Road; Kidstones; Lamps Moss; Fleet Moss (the Dales’ highest tarmac at 589m/1,932ft, south of Hawes)...
Tarmac-based route making is easy. It’s all good. Go anywhere: the smaller the road, the better (and even some A-roads aren’t too busy, up Wensleydale for instance).
Big dates
The Struggle Dales sportive (170km/108 miles) is on Sun 19 May 2024, followed by the Etape du Dales (177km/110 miles) and sister event GRVL Dales on Sun 23 June. The Tour de Yorkshire pro race is defunct, sadly, but there is talk of it being resurrected. Any time of year, weather permitting, is good for a weekend Dales jaunt. Spring and summer is lushest and warmest, but crisp winter days can be fabulous – check the roads are clear, though!
Don’t miss
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