Family cycling

Nidderdale National Landscape has plenty of choice for family cycling routes.

If you’re new to cycling, have a young family or would just prefer a short, quiet bike ride away from traffic in the Yorkshire Dales, you’ll find a route here.

Part of the beauty of this part of Yorkshire for family cycling is that much of it is remote and there is a great network of quiet roads and lanes for you to explore by bike.

Family cycling guides

• Nidderdale Greenway
  Perfect for a family cycling day out in Yorkshire – this is a 4 mile (6.5km) traffic-free cycle route, which connects Ripley, on the edge of Nidderdale National Landscape, to Harrogate and Knaresborough on a fantastic converted railway line
• Druids Temple
  8km of off-road natural trails through this pine woodland and across surrounding fields. A variety of route options from family friendly gentle green trails to the thrills and spills of a black run.
• Yorkshire Water
  A series of family friendly cycle routes, as well as options for more confident cyclists, close to some of Yorkshire Water’s reservoirs in Nidderdale National Landscape, including Swinsty, Fewston and Scar House

You can also devise a cycling route of your own using the Harvey Map ‘Yorkshire Dales for Cyclists’ or Ordnance Survey Explorer maps (297 and 298 – cover the majority of the National Landscape). There are plenty of well-cycled paths available to help really explore a large proportion of the area.

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.