Classic Yorkshire - Biking
Country
England
Region
Yorkshire
Theme
Classic
6
Days
5
Nights
Accommodation
4* / 5*
Famous climbs and long valley roads with welcoming inns at the end of each day.
This cycling journey links some of Yorkshire’s best riding into a clear, well structured route from Harrogate into the heart of the Dales. The route passes through places shaped by farming, monastic life and modern cycling history, from spa town roads used in the World Championships to remote passes made famous by the Tour de France. Nights are spent in comfortable, characterful inns chosen for their atmosphere, service and suitability for cyclists. This is a focused, rewarding ride that showcases Yorkshire at its most varied, without rushing or unnecessary complexity.
Highlights
- Riding the parcours of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships route
- Classic Dales climbs, including Trapping Hill, Lamps Moss and Buttertubs Pass
- Long valley riding through Wharfedale, Dentdale and Swaledale
- Visits to Jervaulx Abbey and the Wensleydale Creamery
Handpicked Accommodation
The Devonshire, Grassington
A refined country inn with elegant rooms, attentive service and a calm, welcoming atmosphere that helps guests immediately feel settled.
Why we chose it
Reliable comfort, attentive staff and a strong focus on good food make it an easy place to settle in, regroup and begin the week feeling well looked after.
The White Bear, Masham
Classic Yorkshire inn brought up to date with stylish rooms.
Why we chose it
A lively bar and a reputation for good food and good conversation.
White Hart Hotel, Harrogate
A traditional hotel offering comfortable rooms, good food and a relaxed atmosphere in the heart of the spa town.
Why we chose it
The best place to meet the group and ease into the journey.
Itinerary
Day 1 – World Championships Warm Up
Meet your guide in Harrogate, get fitted to your bikes and head out for an easy loop ride on quiet roads used during the 2019 Road World Championships. Usually known for spa visitors and afternoon teas, the road races back in 2019 were won by Mads Pedersen and Annemiek van Vleuten. Today’s gentle introduction allows everyone to settle into their bikes and the landscape before returning to Harrogate for the night.
Day 2 – Into the Dales via Pateley Bridge
Ride out of Harrogate and gradually leave the town behind as the landscape opens up. The route passes through Pateley Bridge before following a scenic stretch beside the reservoir. A demanding climb over Trapping Hill, renamed Côte de Lofthouse for the 2014 Tour de France. a locally feared climb, short but steep, and often used by local clubs as a benchmark test of early-season fitness. The long descent into Masham that follows make all the effort very much worth it! A brewery tour rounds off the afternoon before dinner.
Day 3 – Ride into Wharfedale
Today takes you deeper into the Dales, beginning in Coverdale and passing the atmospheric ruins of Jervaulx Abbey, once one of the wealthiest Cistercian monasteries in northern England, supported largely by sheep farming and cattle herds. The route climbs steadily towards the source of the river before tipping into a long, exhilarating descent into Wharfedale. Lunch in Kettlewell is followed by an easy valley ride to Grassington, with time to explore the town before dinner.
Day 4 – The quiet roads of Dentdale
A short transfer brings you to Settle for coffee at a local bike shop before riding begins. After a rolling start, the route climbs and drops into Dentdale, one of the least populated valleys in the region and home to England’s highest mainline railway station at nearby Dent Head, sitting over 1,100 feet above sea level. Lunch in Dent includes a visit to the heritage centre, before a steady afternoon ride past Sedbergh and on to Ravenstonedale.
Day 5 – The Queen Stage
The defining day of the tour. Ride into Nateby before tackling the steady climb of Lamps Moss, followed by a pause in the Swaledale village of Keld. From here, the road rises again up Buttertubs Pass, one of Yorkshire’s most famous cycling climbs and so named because of the limestone potholes that cooled butter on the walk to market. The descent into Hawes leads naturally to a visit to the Wensleydale Creamery and a well earned final night.
Day 6 – Deaprture from Hawes
After breakfast, the tour concludes with a transfer to Kendal or Lancaster for onward connections.
Itinerary Designer
Yorkshire works well by bike when the pacing is right. This route gives you time to ride properly, recover well, and enjoy where you are.
Harvey
Featured Experience
The Dales Queen Stage, Lamps Moss to Buttertubs
A full day of classic Yorkshire riding that brings together steady climbing, open moorland roads and one of the region’s most recognisable ascents.