9-day Yorkshire Dales Cycling Holiday

Make your own way to Skipton. Picture perfect and without a stone out of place, the literal meaning of the name is sheep-town.

Introducing the moors, hills, rivers and dales of Yorkshire, your cycle ride gets underway from Skipton. You pass charming Appletreewick, essentially a medieval village with gorgeous stone cottages reflecting the limestone nature of the surrounding geology. Then, continue cycling along the river as it flows through Burnsall, a dramatic village with an imposing stone bridge. Have a riverside break here before ascending Elberton Hill, your last major climb of the day before a gentle downhill to join the River Aire, and continue up through Kirkby Malham to reach the popular village of Malham.

A cycle ride deep into the Yorkshire Dales is scheduled for today. Prepare for about 15km (9.3 miles) of wild and remote riding before you reach the first village. Ride up Malham Rakes to the waters of the Malham Tarn glacier. Here you can enjoy a leisurely route over moorland before descending to Stainforth, the former Stony Ford. Following the river, the cycle route takes you through the old milling village of Langcliffe before reaching Settle.

A day of riding, passing limestone caves and waterfalls and a leg-testing amount of elevation gain. The cycle route follows gentle hills through peaceful countryside to the village of Clapham. You may be ready for a coffee before you continue riding into Ingleton, a pretty village which has a beautiful gorge and waterfall walk. To do this just lock up your bike and spend a couple of hours exploring. From here the route heads up into the glacially formed Kingsdale Valley. At last you roll down into Dentdale and Dent village.

The day starts with a steep climb through following the river Dee. Enjoy great views from your saddle over rolling fells. You reach the high point of the day at 435m/1,4 feet from where the route becomes much easier. 
Cycle to Gayle and visit The Wensleydale Creamery. They have been making this kind of cheese since around 1150. After this break, you cross over the river Ure and follow a quiet road which runs parallel to it. A final relaxing stretch takes you cycling through Bainbridge, a village with extensive greens and cascading river, to finally arrive in Askrigg. This is a Viking settlement, which name means The ridge where ash trees grow.

Today there are two big hills to take on with your bike. The first one is from Askrigg to Cross Top (495m /1,6 feet) with up to a 15% gradient at times. Once over this, there is a gorgeous descent down into the valley of the river Swale. The old lead mining village of Gunnerside is a potential stop for a coffee and cake although it is slightly off the route. You continue cycling along the river until Grinton with a popular pub and historic church that is known as the Cathedral of the Dales. Then comes your next steep climb back up to 450m/1,47 feet to cross Grinton Moor. Now it's down into Redmire.

Another hilly bike ride through postcard perfect landscapes and villages. The first place you cycle to is the historic village called Wensley, the place name for the Dale. After a look round, cross over the river Ure and climb along Gale Bank, which has beautiful woodlands and dry-stone lined roads. You cycle through glorious Coverdale now following the river Cover as it carves through the landscape threading its way through some tiny villages. Finally you ascend the Park Rash climb which averages 11% and climbs 230 metres. Be careful on the descent into Kettlewell, a gorgeous village by the river Wharfe with quaint tea shops and limestone terraces.

Your last stage of this Yorkshire cycling holiday, despite a bit of climbing, is a much easier day. You continue with the river along Wharfedale. Cycle via Conistone to Grassington passing by Grass Wood Nature Reserve brimming with limestone scars and thick woodland. The Old Hall here is reputedly the oldest house in Yorkshire and the village is an excellent place to stop for lunch with a range of tea rooms and cafes.
Next, cross over the river and wind your way cycling through the countryside, passing more villages and perhaps a final fantastic break-spot at Bolton Abbey. There is a final hill to Halton East, before you reach Embsay and then cycle back to the starting point in Skipton.

The Yorkshire Dales Cycleway ends after breakfast when you depart your accommodation.