Pictures From Cycle Tour Of The Western Dales

Pictures From My Cycle Tour Of The Western Dales

Welcome to this part of my site featuring pictures from my cycle tours of the Yorkshire Dales based on the western section of the Yorkshire Dales and part of the new coast to coast route, The Way Of The Roses now open. This new cycle route stretches approximately 170 miles long starting from the East Yorkshire seaside resort of Bridlington to the seaside resort of Morecambe in Lancashire. Pictures in the order of 1 to 7 feature the most scenic stretch of this trail both on and off road. Pictures 1 and 2 are off road sections that are not yet strictly approved as part of this trail and follow over very remote moorland, known as Pockstones Moor and as this track is very rough going, a mountain bike is recommended. Picture 3 is part of the onroad section of this trail and its location is Stump Cross Caverns and is on the B6265 Pateley Bridge to Grassington road and is located about 2 miles west of Greenhow Hill, the highest point of the route that links Nidderdale with Wharfedale. This particular stretch of the route needs the greatest of care to be taken as it can be very busy during the hot summer holidays and at peak times of the day such as weekends. Stump Cross Caverns are underground show caves open to the public and there is a cafe serving refreshments subject to opening times. Even if you don't intent visiting the caves, the restaurant will serve you a well earned stop before descending into Wharfedale. Pictures 4 to 7 are from the Wharfedale section of this trail taking in the lovely villages of Appletreewick famous for one of the first none smoking establishments, The New Inn which is picture 4. Picture 6 is the Wharfedale village of Burnsall noted for its tidy village green and is at crossroads with this new route and The Yorkshire Dales Cycleway. Pictures in the order of 8 to 10 is the upper Wharfedale section of The Yorkshire Dales cycleway starting from the town of Grassington which is well served with teashops Pubs and overnight accommodation. This section of the route now takes in the Limestone scenery of Kilnsey Crag, a popular Yorkshire Dales beauty spot before moving further on up the Dale to the village of Kettlewell, Wharfedale's most enjoyed villages served with a Youth Hostel and a village Store. Pictures in the order of 10 to 14 is where upper Wharfedale becomes Langstrothdale and the George Inn Public House in the village of Hubberholm is the last place of civilization, particularly if you intend going northbound as you have a long hill climb on one of Yorkshires highest roads only to be greeted after the downhill climb into the Market Town of Hawes in Wensleydale which is also served with a good Youth Hostel and plenty of Pubs and Cafes. Pictures in the order of 15 to 20 feature that small Dale tucked in between Wharfedale and Malhamdale known as Littondale. It is very much similar to Swaledale for its remote location and Arncliffe is the largest village of the Dale. The Queens Arms Pub in Litton village is also noted for its friendliness and its cosy log fires during the Winter season that greet you after a cold days ride. Pictures in the order of 21 to 26 feature my rides through picturesque Malhamdale located in the south west corner of The Yorkshire Dales National Park on regional route 10, The Yorkshire Dales Cycleway and is noted for its beautiful white limestone walls dating from thousands of years ago. Malham village featured in picture 22 is the largest settlement in the Dale and like Kettlewell it is a very busy walking centre during the Summer months and weekends. Pictures 23 to 26 feature Malham Cove, another of this areas well loved beauty spots and the Malham Tarn Estate known as Yorkshires Lake District. There is another but rough bridleway route that also links the Malham Tarn Estate with Kilnsey in Wharfedale featured in picture 26 known as Mastiles Lane believed to be an old drovers road to Fountains Abbey near Ripon. Malhamdale is also dominated with several long distance walking and cycling routes, the first being the Pennine Way, a long distance walking route and the most recent Pennine Bridleway in which some sections north of The Pennines are still under development. Pictures in the order of 27 to 29 feature The western section of The Way Of the Roses and this section links Malhamdale with Ribblesdale. The market town of Settle featured in picture 29 is the main centre of Ribblesdale and also offers plenty of services such as a bike shop and no end of choice regarding Pubs and Bed and Breakfast accommodation. Pictures 27 and 28 feature the long descend into Settle from one of the highest points on the entire trail of the Way Of The Roses and there are stunning views of The Bowland Hills. This final section of the Trial is also shared with Sustrans route 68 The Pennine Cycleway and at crossroads with the Pennine Bridleway at Stockdale Lane. Picture 30 is my on road map of this tour in which I have ridden from my home town of Harrogate and if you note the points marked in yellow from 6 to 15 this is the Yorkshire Dales section of the new coast to coast route. Pictures in the order of 32 to 36 are from a short cycle tour of Wensleydale during the mid Spring of 2011. Wensleydale is the most busiest of the Northern Yorkshire Dales and is best avoided during the peak seasons as even the the miner roads can be unbelievable very busy. The A684 through the dale is also the mid Transpennine route and should also be avoided at peak times as traffic can be very heavy. Unfortunately this road or the B6255 West of Hawes has to be used if you wish to visit Dentdale or go further west to the Lake District and extreme care must be exercised such as being on the lookout for hidden dips and other traffic hazards. Also single file ridding is recommended. More on The Market Town Of Hawes and Wensleydale can be found on my following link Pictures From My Visits Of Wensleydale.