Route Ref:  NYM35

Back to North Yorkshire Moors Routes

This route is a similar route to NYM12 but the opposite way round. I have change the start so that there is not a big tarmac climb at the start. this variation will take you into two little valleys that seem to be rarely visited by bikers or walker. The route also gives the rider an opportunity to try the 4k of wonderful single track from the south.

Start from Rosedale Abbey heading north up the valley towards Bell End. At Bell End turn the corner and take the little lane on the right. This lane will take you into North Dale and a steep drop to the valley bottom. Keep to the road to GR724977 and pick up the bridleway climbing to the right. Some may have to push up here. The track eases a little after the gate and crosses another track climbing directly to the right. This is a 'Other routes with public access' track. Turn right and follow this track to the road. The track does deteriorate over the last 200 yards but is still ridable and navigable.

Turn left at the road and follow the road passing one bridleway on the right to the first bend where another bridleway goes off to the right. Some of this is single track and gets very wet after prolonged rain. However, even in bad conditions is remains ridable. Keep to this track dropping off to the left to low Hamer. This is an old disused farm building. Pick up the track heading south east which reaches a tarmac lane after 500 meters. Continue along the road to Duks Lay Farm and turn right down a narrow lane and follow this to the ford at the bottom. Picking up a good grassy bridleway past White House climb up the meadow passing through a gate to pick up the single track on the edge of Cropton Forest.

Turn right onto this single track which joins a wider forest track and keep heading south, passing St James farm. Stay on this track ignoring any turning for almost another kilometer to a point where the the main track bears sharp left and a bridleway goes straight ahead. This bridleway is mostly single track for almost another kilometer. I was expecting the worst here as when I last rode this track it had been covered with solid clay which became sticky and almost unridable ruining the track it used to be. However, the clay has compacted down over time and the whole length is ridable again. Take the track straight ahead when you come out into the open for a fast ride(Sutherland Road) to the ford and road at the south end of the forest. An easyish climb will bring you to a T junction on High Lane.

Turn right and follow this lane to Cropton Village. Turn right at the junction in the village. There is a little track to the right as you enter the village which you can take to 'cut the corner' but this does get very muddy. Turn left immediately left after the bridge at the bottom. this is signposted to Hutton-Le-Hole. Follow this road past Lower Askew bending right to the next sharp left turn at GR 743900. Continue straight ahead on a firm track. This will take you to the start of the single track back to Rosedale Abbey. As the track bends right to Low Askew leave the track and join the bridleway straight ahead with the wall on your right. This section has been tided up a bit and spoilt but at the wall corner you join the single track 'proper'. Follow this along the weaving in and out of the bracken to Hollins farm. it is all ridable except for a short section after the trees where it becomes rocky and then boggy. From Hollins Farm pick up the farm Track which will take you to Chimney bank. turn right back down to Rosedale Abbey

16 Miles, 25.75 Kms, 2050 Feet, 673 Metres, N/A Gates, 67% Off Road