Route Ref:  YD19

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You should not attempt the section of this route over Redmire Moor to Grinton when visibilty is poor. Even on a clear day you may need some good navigation skills. Don't rely on this route description, use a map! It is a tough route but very rewarding with views and downhills. Most of this route is on firm terain except a section on Grinton Moor with alot of the ascent on tarmac. The route description starts at Castle Bolton near Leyburn. Nice t-room with loads of cakes. There is a car park at the castle. Alternatively you could start at Reeth.

Turn out the car park and go past the castle and through the village to the Redmire - Grinton road. Turn left and climb upto the road bend at about 400 metres. This is after the turn into Redmire Quarry. From here you pick up a firm double track which you follow for almost one mile to some ruined buildings (Cobsacr Mill?) on the left below the chimney.

Take the track off to the left. Another firm double tarck to Cranehow Bottom Here you will reach a junction of tracks. Go straight over and immediately left. This will take you to the 'T' junction on to Preston Moor. Turn left again. The track remains double but gets softer and gradually leads up to the gate on Snowden Man. from here the veiws open up into Cogden Gill And Swaledale.

This is where the navigation gets more tricky. The bridleway starts off as single track from the gate but soon disapears leaving you cycling to nowhere. You need to navigate to the east side of Glead Gill where to can pick up a good grassy track for a few hundred metres. If the day is clear look for the rock edge of Sharrow Hill and head for it. You should find a number of sheep tracks which make the riding easy. Sharow Hill has great views of Swaledale and the climb to come over Harkerside. There is also the ruins of an old flue here used to take fumes away from the mines below. Pick up the grassy track below the craggs and follow the bridleway over Cogden Moor, cross the road and continue down another fast grassy track, through Cogden Hall Farm and onto the B6270 road.

Turn left towards Grinton and left again in Grinton and start climbing turning left at the second junction on the road back to Redmire. This route uses the second briDleway off to the right. You could take the first one which heads straight for the Harkerside moor climb. I chose the second one for eaiser tarmac climbing and a bit more interest at the head of the valley. This is a firm double track taking you around the valley with a short but fast downhill to eth bridleway junction on Low Harker hill. Turn left and start the hard climb onto Harkerside Moor. The views are fantastic from the top. Stay on the same bridleway down the otherside and over Browna Gill and Birks Gill to the bridleway junction on Whitaside Moor.

Turn left up the hill. The track is stony making the going a little difficult but soon becomes firmer. This track will take you to the gate on Apedale Head and down into into Apedale. It's a lot easier than the soft single track it used to be but not as much fun. The track stays firm and gives you a fast two miles to the junction at Dents Houses.

Turn right here for a short but steep climb to Black Hill. Go straight on to the gate at the top. This soft track bends to the right and then left for a bumpy downhill back to the Castle. Some parts of this section are a bit boggy.

16 Miles, 25.75 Kms, 2520 Feet, 827 Metres, N/A Gates, 90% Off Road