Whether you regularly cycle and take your bicycle on holiday, or simply like the idea of spending a few hours exploring on two wheels – Ryedale is perfect for all ages and abilities. Cycling though forests, along country lanes, on high open moorland or by rolling fields is all possible in North Yorkshire.
Big Skies Bike Rides
Download Big Skies Bike Rides that take in the rolling chalk hills, long views and, of course, big skies of the Yorkshire Wolds. There are three OS-mapped circular day rides on quiet roads and country lanes that pass through Ryedale, many of which are accessible by train from Malton Station.
Great Wold Valley – 21.1 miles (34km) from Hunmanby
Sledmere Country – 17.5 miles (28km) from Sledmere
Thixendale – 21.5 miles (35km) from Malton or Norton on Derwent
Heritage Cycle Trail – Helmsley – Rievaulx – Byland
There are many long and short distance routes to follow within the North York Moors National Park but for any cycle ride it is helpful to have breaks planned into the trip, and goals along the way. With this in mind, the cycle trail mapped on the English Heritage leaflet starts and end at English Heritage sites.
The ride is designed to allow cyclists the opportunity to take in some of Yorkshire’s rich heritage by exploring the historic properties en route. You can choose to cycle just one leg of the route or do the whole route in one day. New cycle racks have been installed at several English Heritage sites to enable cyclists to secure their bikes while they take time out to explore the stunning properties and each sites has refreshment facilities to reinvigorate before the next leg of the trail.
This trail are designed for experiences cyclists; the terrain of North Yorkshire can be very hilly, and some of the tracks are uneven. However, it is possible to break these trails up into shorter, more manageable sections for a more leisurely ride.
Helmsley – Rievaulx – Byland (Approx.24km / 15 miles)
Howardian Hills Bike Rides
Cycle the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from Malton in North Yorkshire.
A series of three ‘guided’ routes in the Howardian Hills from Malton are OS-mapped circular day rides on back-roads and country lanes, many of which are accessible by train from Malton Station.
Route 1 covers a route from Castle Howard and takes in Hovingham and Nunnington Hall. It can also be accessed at Malton, if you would like to arrive by train.
Ride One – Castle Howard and Nunnington Hall.
Route 2 covers the Rye valley to the north of the AONB.
Ride Two – Over the River Rye.
Route 3 goes out into the Yorkshire Wolds and includes Kirkham Abbey on the south eastern edge of the AONB.
Ride Three – Leavening Brow and Kirkham Gorge.
A further publication titled ‘Bike Rides and rambles in the Howardian Hills’ gives you an overview of the walking, cycling and mountain biking opportunities in the Howardian Hills. The guide also provides information about visiting Castle Howard, Nunnington Hall and The Yorkshire Arboretum – all of which have great walker/cyclist friendly cafes and free parking.
Bike Rides and Rambles in the Howardian Hills AONB.
Mountain bikers also have an opportunity to explore the AONB on a variety of guided routes.
Castle Howard makes the ideal start point for mountain biking – plenty of parking, toilets and refreshment facilities for after your ride, including a take-away outlet perfect for a hot chocolate or ice cream depending on the season. The Castle Howard suggested route is 14.5km long but there are options to shorten the ride using the bridleway network if required.
The 14km Biking the Banks route which starts from Coneysthorpe gives views to the north across the Vale of Pickering to the North York Moors National Park. Refreshments are available at the Cresswell Arms in Appleton-le-Street or at Castle Howard (approximately a mile to the south of the start/end point). Additional parking is also available at Castle Howard.
Biking the Banks from Coneysthorpe
Biking the Banks from Castle Howard
North Yorkshire County Council have produced two leaflets with routes centred on Appleton-le-Street and Hovingham.
Malton – Pickering Cycle Route
The 12-mile (19km) cycling route connects the historic market towns of Malton – Yorkshire’s Food Capital, and Pickering – home to the world-famous North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The route takes cyclists through beautiful villages, alongside lush farmland and key attractions including Beck Isle Museum, Eden Camp, Flamingo Land, Malton Museum, North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Pickering Castle.
York to Malton avoiding the A64
Utilising the Musley Bank link alongside the A64, and Huttons Ambo suspension bridge.
