north yorks moors - short tour recommendations

[Kirstie]

If I was to fancy, for example, a two dayer around the north york moors, travelling north on Friday evening on the train after work, putting in a good couple of days and then coming back on Sunday evening, where would be good places to go?

Got itchy feet again...and I've only been back a week from the last one...

 

[Hugo15]

How far do you want to go each day and how much climbing do you want to do? Where are you planning on getting the train to, York or Northallerton?

 

[vernon]

If I was to fancy, for example, a two dayer around the north york moors, travelling north on Friday evening on the train after work, putting in a good couple of days and then coming back on Sunday evening, where would be good places to go?

Got itchy feet again...and I've only been back a week from the last one...

It's all good Kirsty. There's no hills though - just very deep valleys

Have you got the Golden Eye map of the NY Moors? It's a worthwhile purchase.

There's quite a few access points by train:

Whitby and stations between it and Midllesborough, Scarborough and stations between it and York plus Northallerton and Thirsk.

Everything depends on what your interests are: scenery, places of interest, cruel climbs like Rosedale Chimney at 1:3

 

[Danny]

Going across the Moors can definitely be tough, particularly on the minor roads. However the Pickering to Whitby Road is beautiful and relatively easy to cycle, but quite busy.

An alternative, which I'm planning to do in a few weeks time, is to go round the edge of the moors. You can take Sustrans routes 65 from York or Thirsk along the east side of the Moors, and then cut west along the beautiful Esk Valley to Whitby. From Whitby there is a cycle track (cinder surface) down to Scarborough which offers some spectacular views of the coastline but can be a bit bleak in bad weather. From Scarborough you could pick up a train back to York, or cycle if you are feeling really keen. This route would be far from flat but would be much less hilly than some of the direct routes across the moors.

There are nice Youth Hostels at Osmotherly on NCN 65, Whitby, and Boggle Hole (which is one the cycle path from Whitby to Scarborough). There's also a Youth Hostel in Scarborough but haven't stayed there. Can also recommend a particularly nice B&B in Whitby if you fancy something a bit more up market.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Good idea Kirstie. First stop Sutton Bank and White Horse, watch the gliders. Then onto Helmsley for a cuppa tea. Kirbymoorside for a tea and then onto Hutton le hole for an Ice Cream. finally a quick 4 mile run over the moors (v scenic) to Rosedale (you go down the chimney bank, so make sure your brakes work!!) Good campsite in Rosedale. Out of Rosedale to Cropton, cropton to Pickering. Cup of tea then onto Thornton Dale and a ride up into and through Dalby forest - very good for mountainbiking. Brilliant trails and x-park near road. More than enough for 2 days.

 

[Kirstie]

Marvellous!
We'll probably do 60 miles per day, not afraid of a bit of climbing, nor riding in the dark/rain/snow etc! Prob get train to York or Northallerton. Depends which is closest to the riding!
Going to the seaside also appeals!

 

[Danny]

Northallerton is much closer to the moors.

Whitby is a really beautiful seaside town - with only a limited amount of tat - and well worth a visit.

 

[Hugo15]

If you get the train to Northallerton then you could either head to Osmotherley and take the road over to Hawnby (one of my favourate roads in the moors, a bit up and down but well worth it) and then head to Helmsley, or you could head out via Borowby and Upsall and go over to Kilburn (Mousey Thompson Furniture Maker has his shop here and there is the White Horse on the hill) and up White Horse Bank and then to Helmsley.

From Helmsley you should head out on the road to Scarborough for about 0.5miles before turning left and heading up through Bransdale to Cockayne. The road heads up one side of the valley for about 8 miles and then back down the other. There is a small church at the head of the valley. It's another one of my favs.

As you head down towards Kirbymoorside turn left through Gilamoor and head over to the climb up Blakey Ridge at Church Houses. From there you can head over to Rosedale (climb Chimney bank??), Danby (National Parks Centre and great cafe) or drop down into Hutton le Hole (Ryedale Folk Museum).

If you wanted something easier for the second day then one option would be to head out of the Moors at Hutton le Hole/KirbyMoorside and head down through the Howardian Hills past Castle Howard (worth a stop). You could then get the train home from York.

Where ever you go in the Moors you will see some lovely scenery and ride some very quite roads. Have fun!!

 

[marinyork]

Cycle through the Hole of Horcum on the A619, fantastic view.

The Howardian Hills are pretty nice in themselves. More mid part of the park person myself, never liked the west that much but a lot of people like Osmotherly. The ride back from Helmsley into York is an easy one.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Yorkshire is THE county to tour in!!!

 

[Kirstie]

Turns out I meant to say Yorkshire Dales. OK let's hear your Dales recommendations...

sorry ...

 

[Danny]

Groan

I'll come up with a few ideas after I've had something to eat and watched Heroes.

 

[marinyork]

Nidderdale isn't in the park officially but many people overlook this to visit various bits of it - Pately Bridge and round the corner Brimham Rocks. Great for cycling/walking.

I'm sure Postman and those that go there regularly will tell you about the Otley/addingham route into the Dales. The only thing I'd say on that one is Embsay Moor is about the most boring place on earth.

In the actual Park I like Swaledale. Hawes is pretty cool is you wanted a hard core ride. Kettlewell and Buckden I like a lot, insane valley at Kettlewell. If you want a teeny bit of walking visit Malham and Malham Tarn. Bits of the A65 that borders the park aren't so interesting.

 

[Kirstie]

I think I may have spotted a route from Lancaster to Darlington.
What do you think of this.

Day 1: Lancaster- Dunsop Bridge - Slaidburn - Settle - Halton Gill - Kettlewell
Day 2: Kettlewell - Buckden - Newbiggin - Fremlington (along Wensleydale then turn left) - Hutton Magna - Darlington.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Ride from Northallerton to Bedale, lovely market town, have a cuppa, ride Bedale to Hawes, stay night in Hawes, ride Hawes to Grassington, grassington to harrogate, harrogate to Ripon,ripon to Northallerton/Thirsk for train home