Cycling & bike hire at Cropton and Keldy, Yorkshire

Hire your bikes at Cropton or Keldy and set off to explore the forest. Ask for a guide to the cycling and walking trails at the Forest Retreat, which has details of High Muffles Loop, a pleasant and easy 3-mile family trail, and Spiers Bank, another easy meander through the forest, which also includes great views of the Rosedale Valley. Slightly longer is the Cropton Circular, which takes you into the heart of the forest.

North York Moors cycle trails

Find lost dales and visit country pubs

The North York Moors National Park has countless opportunities to take to two wheels. Close to our cabins at Keldy is the 26.5-mile Bransdale Loop, which takes you though the ‘lost dale’ of Bransdale, accessible only on this single road. After cycling through the undisturbed landscape, you are rewarded by cafes and country pubs on the homeward section. Also nearby is the nine-mile Spaunton Manor Circuit which passes through a number of local villages - with a good choice of local pubs for refreshments.

Dalby Forest cycle trails

Some of the best cycling in the country

Dalby Forest is hard to beat for off-road cycling. Across 70km of cycle trails, it offers everything from easy family trails to adrenaline-fuelled mountain biking. Green (easy) routes include Ellerburn Family Cycle Route, which is a multi-user pathway for disabled cyclists, walkers, and wheelchair users. A longer route, at 14.5 mile, the Dalby Forest Loop has been created to capture a flavour of the forest and moorland and is suitable for all abilities. There is also a mini bike skills area at Low Dalby and many other trails that range from green (easy) to black (severe).

Mountain biking

The best trails in North Yorkshire

The jewel in the crown of Dalby Forest for mountain bikers is the World Cup Cycle route. It’s short but technically demanding and definitely not for the faint-hearted. If you are an experienced mountain-biker with high fitness levels, you will love it. Another good route for mountain bikers is Rudland Rigg, an 18-mile trail though some wild terrain, with steep ascents, single track biking and easier woodland cycling all thrown in.

Longer cycling routes

National Cycling Network

Sections of two of the National Cycling Network trails run through the North York Moors. National Route 1 takes in the coast from Whitby down to Scarborough, along the 21-mile Cinder Track. Enjoy the fresh sea air and the spectacular views. National Route 165 runs through the beautiful Esk Valley from Great Ayton to Whitby, along the northern edge of the North York Moors National Park.