North York Moors, Coast and Abbeys

With its iconic heather landscapes, tranquil forests, historic villages and stunning rugged coastline, the region is a diverse and breath-taking place to explore on two wheels at your own pace.

This cycling holiday is a circular ride around North Yorkshire of approximately 150 miles (240km) over five days cycling on quiet country lanes, cycleways and off-road tracks, and is a great way to discover what this beautiful region of England has to offer. The route is not without its challenges, however, as the North York Moors is well-known for its abundance of steep climbs and descents and exposed, often wind-swept moorland, which makes this holiday a top choice for adventurous cyclists looking for a challenging ride.

Starting and finishing in the historic market town of Helmsley, your first day in the saddle takes you up into the heart of the North York Moors, on remote roads taking you past Hutton-le-Hole and Rosedale Abbey down to the market town of Pickering, well-known for its steam railway. You then head east through Dalby Forest to reach the bustling coastal town of Scarborough, before taking the picturesque 'Cinder Track' disused railway line which runs parallel to the fondly known 'Dinosaur Coast' up to the seaside resort of Whitby. Your final days take you back into the moorland, as you follow the lesser-explored Esk Valley to Great Ayton, before heading back around to Helmsley via the impressive Rievaulx Abbey.

This is a trip aimed at those who enjoy a challenge and have a good level of hill fitness to get up and over the numerous steep climbs on the route. You may have done another of our place-to-place trips such as the C2C or Caledonia Way and are looking for your next challenge! Accommodation along the way consists of friendly guest houses and traditional hotels with filling breakfasts fuelling your days in the saddle.

This self-guided bike tour is for a minimum of 2 people and your accommodation, train station transfers, luggage transfers and emergency back up are all included. You will also have access to a navigation app allowing you to navigate the routes with ease. It’s a hassle-free way to discover the diverse Yorkshire landscapes from the saddle!

Holiday Highlights

• Scenic riding along the ‘The Cinder Track’ disused railway, with coastal views of Robin Hood’s Bay, Scarborough and Whitby
• Riding up steep climbs and down exhilarating descents through beautiful heather moorlands on quiet roads in the North York Moors National Park
• Tucking in to award-winning local fish & chips in Whitby harbour at the end of a long day in the saddle
• Staying in the quaint historical Yorkshire towns and villages of Helmsley, Pickering and Great Ayton
• The chance to visit an abundance of historic attractions including Whitby Abbey, Scarborough Castle and Rievaulx Abbey
• Riding the serene forest tracks in Dalby Forest

The North York Moors National Park is notorious for its steep climbs, so there will be inevitable ups and downs on most days, with few flat sections. Daily distances are all under 40 miles, but there are frequent, short climbs with gradients of up to 20%, with some longer hills dotted throughout. With this in mind we would recommend you have a good level of physical fitness to enjoy the route.