Mountain biking
Some of the finest cross-country mountain biking in Yorkshire can be found in Nidderdale National Landscape.
Whether you’re a mountain biking beginner or an experienced rider, there are plenty of routes in this area of the Yorkshire Dales to challenge your mountain biking skills.
There’s a whole range of mountain biking terrain in Nidderdale – from walled lanes with firm surfaces to grassy tracks, rocky descents and climbs over the moors to put your mountain bike through its paces.
Mountain biking guides
- Brimham Blast: A short but intense mountain bike ride with spectacular views across Nidderdale and challenging uphill and downhill sections. Start: Stif Cycles, Summerbridge. Length: 9 miles (15km). Difficulty: difficult
- Brimham Loop: A mountain bike ride of great variety through woodland and on quiet roads with stunning views of Nidderdale and a final descent along an ancient packhorse route. Start: Stif Cycles, Summerbridge. Length: 10 miles (15.5km). Difficulty: moderate
- Tour of Nidderdale: An all weather mountain biking classic starting at the head of Nidderdale. This off road cycle route takes you on stony tracks high above the valley before descending to Bouthwaite and returning through farmland back up the valley. Start: Scar House Reservoir, near Lofthouse. Length: 15 miles (24km). Difficulty: difficult
- Great Greenhow: A long cross-country mountain biking route with some prolonged climbs and epic views over the Yorkshire Dales on quiet roads and remote stone tracks. Start: Pateley Bridge Showground car park. Length: 25 miles (42km). Difficulty: severe
- Gouthwaite Circular: A good introductory route to Yorkshire dales mountain biking, this follows a track alongside Gouthwaite reservoir, back down the other side on tarmac before a more technical section through old mine workings. Start: Pateley Bridge. Length: 12 miles (21km). Difficulty: moderate
Please be aware that these routes use bridleways and country roads which are also used by horse riders and walkers. Cyclists must give way to these users and be particularly careful when approaching horses from behind – it helps if you call out to let the horse and rider know that you are there. It is important to pass horses & riders and walkers slowly and wide. Please follow the International Mountain Biking Association code of conduct and ride responsibly, while showing respect for others, and care for the environment.
** Please note that the tourism information on this website is designed to provide an overview of opportunities in the area. The Nidderdale National Landscape team do not have the facilities or resources to deal with individual tourism enquiries and these should be directed to the tourist information office at Nidderdale Plus or one of the other local Tourist Information Centres.
