Route Ref:  NYM04

Back to North Yorkshire Moors Routes

If you do not do any other rides from my selection, please at least do this one! This is my favorite so far. With just over 2000 feet of ascent in 17miles it is not a doddle for the average rider out to enjoy the countryside. If you are one of those, take it easy and choose a dry day during the Spring to Summer so you need not worry about daylight. 

Your reward will be a ride with wonderful views as you cross four moors, some fast downhills, a bit of tech, more muscle on your quads and loads of lost calories. If you choose a clear day you will be able to see the whole route from all the higher points in all directions wherever you are on the ride.

Danby provides a convenient place to park with refreshments and facilities in the Visitors Center along with the other usual arts, crafts and educational bits these places offer. I noticed that there was a small Tea Room in Danby Village but as I did not visit it, I cannot make any comments. Nice cakes!

Start off taking the road to Danby Village and then to Ainthorpe. A hard climb brings you to the start of the bridleway over Ainthorpe Rigg. The track over the Rigg is not particularly easy to ride. This track is not wearing well with many deep ruts. If its dry it does give some good technical riding but it is a pain when wet. The drop into Little Fryup Dale is good though. A couple of rocks steps at the top may catch the unwary. A hard long steep climb on tarmac is next to reach the point where you turn onto the bridleway to Trough House. Years ago a lost wonderer could seek refuge in Trough House, but now forget it, as it's locked. There is a small path that contours around the edge Danby Rigg which would avoid the climb. However as it is a path, it is not a legal right of way for bikes!
The track around the head of Fryup is easy riding and it will eventually bring you to the Lealholm/Rosedale road. Turn off the road after one mile and take a long steady downhill along Glaisdale Rigg, on firm track into Glaisdale. (Or at least the bit of Glaisdale called "The Green!. Say hello to the stuffed farmer if he's still there! Go straight ahead down a tarmaced lane which turns to mud before reaching the ford. Now you can test your legs on the short "vertical" climb to Park House Farm. A farm track, Rake Lane, leads to Lealholmside. From here you will find the road to Danby which if you want to complete my route you will turn off on a firm track which takes you Lealholm Moor and eventually Danby Beacon. I found this bit to be the dullest part of the ride as it seems to take forever to reach the Beacon. OK. Finish off with a tarmac downhill back to the car park. Oh and Remember to stop when your each the junction at the bottom of the hill.