Mountain biking

There are many rigorous routes and gentle rides alike for mountain bikers around Yorkshire. Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire, England’s largest trail centre, has hosted the Cross Country World Cup so you can have a taste of some pro level riding here with seven other trails to try at varying levels including some perfect for those who are new to natural cycling. You could spend a whole week exploring just the trails around this forest! If you want to challenge your endurance you can take on the 34km red route, a challenging single track descent for the seasoned rider. If you’re a beginner or looking for a route that will be suitable for the whole family take the Adderstone trail, with long and short variants you can adapt it to suit everyone’s ability. With stunning scenery there are plenty of spots to stop off and enjoy a packed lunch beneath the towering trees as well!

You can also find trails at Stainburn just into North Yorkshire, near Harrogate. Perfect if you’re heading to Harrogate for a weekend break but want to take a day to explore the countryside nearby and get in some time on the bike. It’s considered one of the most technical areas for mountain biking in the UK so sets a real challenge we think you’ll relish. One for the thrill-seeker in the family! The trails are built and developed by a dedicated team of volunteers who change them up monthly meaning you can face a new challenge every time you visit.

The Dales Bike Centre in Swaledale is a perfect starting point for mountain biking in the Yorkshire Dales. You can park there and pick up maps of epic routes around the Dales. They even offer guided mountain biking with their expert professional instructors. Swaledale offers the most amount of tracks and bridleways of anywhere in the Dales making it a great spot to head with your bike to explore.