This free routebook was created at cycle.travel - the best way to plan an awesome bike route.

Way of the Roses

Map data © OpenStreetMap.org contributors (Open Database Licence). Cartography © cycle.travel, all rights reserved. You may copy this PDF for your friends, but commercial redistribution is prohibited. Thanks! Way of the Roses

The Way of the Roses is exhilarating rather than Are there any route options? exhausting, from the valleys of Lancashire through the Dales of Yorkshire to the lovely, but little-visited Wolds. Not yet. The Way of the Roses was conceived as a main route and an optional ‘southern braid’, but the latter is far from An instant hit from its launch in 2010, it’s an unbeatable way to finished. You can explore some of the excellent new paths see the best of Northern countryside without needing to be around Harrogate and Wetherby that will eventually form part of super-fit. Morecambe’s seafront, Ripon Cathedral and York that, but you’ll need to use your own initiative (or cycle.travel’s Minster might attract the photographers, but the delight of this route-planner) to find your way there. route is really in little towns like Pateley Bridge and Settle, the tearooms of Clapham and the pubs of Appletreewick. That said, the National Cycle Network’s tentacles extend into many parts of Yorkshire and the North-West; so if you have time The National Cycle Network has several Northern coast-to-coast to spare, it’s easy to plan a few off-route diversions. In particular, routes, but this is the most accessible. For most people, it’s take a look at the new routes around the Yorkshire Wolds, a closer to home than the C2C or Hadrian’s Cycleway, so there’s lovely area of the country whose quiet roads are too seldom less hassle with booking long train journeys. The hills aren’t too visited. steep, and since it passes through well-known tourist areas like the Yorkshire Dales, there’s plenty of accommodation. How long does it take?

At 170 miles, most people will take three to five days over it. (If you only have two days, consider cycling from Morecambe to York alone.) West to east, as ever, is the most popular direction: there are only two taxing climbs this way, and walking up the first is almost de rigeur. What sort of bike?

The route is almost entirely on quiet roads and tarmaced paths. The worst section, the notorious cobbled lane outside Austwick, has just been replaced with a new roadside path. There’s a very short unsurfaced section just east of York. So whether you have a hybrid, a road bike, or something more rugged, you shouldn’t encounter any issues. Is it signposted?

Yes; you’ll see a white rose/red rose combination on the trademark blue signs. Don’t expect to simply follow a number as you would with other Sustrans routes, though. The Way of the Roses is pieced together from several different NCN routes, and actually follows eight different route numbers along its course. How do I get there?

There are frequent trains to each end of the route. Morecambe is on a branch line from Lancaster, but the two are sufficiently close together that you might just get the train to Lancaster and cycle – though you’ll retrace your steps when you set off. At the other end, Bridlington has half-hourly services back towards Doncaster and Sheffield (hourly on Sundays.) Booking is recommended, particularly if your outward journey will take you on a Virgin service to Lancaster. There aren’t many options for joining the route along the way: there are stations at Settle and York, and Driffield shortly before Bridlington. Is it suitable for a first-timer?

Yes. The climb out of Settle is tough, and again at Appletreewick. Other than that, though, it’s best described as ‘undulating’ terrain – enough to feel like an achievement, but never too much. Do take extreme care on Greenhow Hill, the descent into Pateley Bridge. This is steep, twisting, and often potholed, and has been the scene of several accidents, some fatal. If you’re uncomfortable cycling down it, there’s no shame in pushing. Morecambe to Settle

The place to stay in Morecambe is undoubtedly the stunning art deco Midland Hotel, an astonishing outpost of the Railway Age on the seafront. But if, like us, your budget doesn’t quite stretch that far, choose from one of the many guesthouses in this pleasantly weathered seaside resort, and eat at the excellent Palatine pub. Take a photo by the Way of the Roses sign on the promenade before setting off. The first seven miles are all easy railway path, crossing the River Lune in Lancaster on a splendid new cycle bridge. Note the Lancaster Canal passing overhead on a sturdy aqueduct. The friendly little café at Caton marks the start of the country lanes that characterise this route, often unfenced through lush pasture. There’s a few climbs as you dodge along the side of the Lune Valley, but nothing too steep; the gently undulating ride up the Wenning Valley from Wray, long a favourite road with cyclists, is greatly enjoyable. It might be called the Way of the Roses, but only 19 miles of this 170-mile route is in Lancashire. Clapham is a pretty Yorkshire Dales village, and a good tea-and-cake stop. There was once a notorious cobbled lane here, all tunnels and rocks, but the route has sensibly been rerouted along a new cyclepath beside the busy A65; those with suspension might still like to try their skills at the original route. The valley of the infant Ribble leads to Settle, best known for its railway to Carlisle but in itself a friendly, not-too-touristy town. Local supermarket legends Booths (like Waitrose, but northern) have an outlet here. Accommodation in Settle is a little pricier than you’ll pay elsewhere, but it’s a good first-night stop if you’re taking the route over four days. Settle to Ripon

Any coast-to-coast route is going to involve some hills. The good news is that the Way of the Roses is much kinder than, say, the C2C. But it’s still no pussycat – and the climbs start here. The climb out of Settle is crazily steep… and cobbled. It’s also pretty short; the main action is over in half a mile, so there’s no shame in pushing. You’re rewarded with the surprisingly remote scenery at the top, followed by a string of little villages over the succeeding miles. The tiny narrow road out of Cracoe is particularly enjoyable. Burnsall and Appletreewick are good places to overnight if you’re tackling the route in three days, and enjoyable stops at any rate. Burnsall thrives on its riverside tea rooms, while Appletreewick has two excellent pubs, camping and a ‘mountain bike livery’. There’s another tough climb up from Appletreewick to Greenhow Hill, but it’s the following descent where you have to take more care. The B-road down to Pateley Bridge is twisty, steep and often potholed. Take it carefully, especially in wet weather; there have been serious cycling accidents here. Ridden sensibly, it’s very enjoyable. Pateley Bridge itself is a pleasant Dales town, a good place to refuel for the next climb – pretty much the last one for 60 miles. It leads to Brimham Rocks, a National Trust-owned playground of “weird and wonderful” rock formations, and a genuinely surreal area to cycle through. The National Trust figures again five miles further on, at Fountains Abbey. This World Heritage Site is a stunning assembly of history: the Cistercian abbey, the landscape gardens, the medieval deer park. Best of all, you can cycle through the grounds, in a remarkably forward-thinking move by the Trust – one which other stately home owners would do well to emulate (yes, we mean you, Blenheim Palace). It makes a fittingly grand approach to the cathedral city of Ripon. Ripon to York

Had enough hills for now? No problem. The route is almost entirely flat between Ripon and York, following the Ure and Ouse valley (one of those rivers that changes its name). Neither city needs an introduction from us. Both are tourist hotspots, best known for their cathedral and minster respectively; and both have plenty to distract the touring cyclist for an afternoon or more. The Way of the Roses meanders down the valley along quiet rural lanes, stopping in at Boroughbridge – less well known than Ripon, certainly, but worth a brief stop. It crosses the Ouse on the rickety Aldwark Toll Bridge, which is free for cyclists; motorists are charged a sky-high 40p. From here the roads get a little busier, but still very tolerable except, perhaps, at school run times. The route enters York on a tarmac cycle path across the meadows, neatly avoiding the city traffic. Then, instead of continuing along the riverside, it diverts past York Minster onto another traffic-free route, the Foss Islands path. It’s a good route all told, but you’ll miss out much of York if you simply follow it; so lock your bike up by the Minster, and go for a stroll around town. York to Bridlington

The easy riding continues through the flatlands of East Yorkshire, passing Stamford Bridge – site of the other 1066 battle. The journey there involves an unsurfaced bridleway, but it’s easily rideable and avoids the busy A road running parallel. Pocklington is a real find, an unspoilt market town with an endearing mix of architectural styles. It marks the beginnings of the Yorkshire Wolds, a superb cycling area that has somehow escaped the attention of most riders. The next ten miles of riding are among the best on the whole route, tiny lanes nestling in narrow dales. There’s a small amount of climbing to do – we’re starting from just above sea level, after all – but it’s worth it. After descending into Tibthorpe, a roundabout route takes the Way of the Roses into the proudly old-fashioned town of Driffield – perhaps best known for its annual agricultural show. From here, it’s quiet lanes all the way to Bridlington, with a short off-road interlude after Harpham. This area, particularly the Roman Road of Woldgate, is a frequent source of inspiration for painter and Bridlington resident David Hockney. Bridlington’s cheerful promenade, busy harbour and acres of sand make for a terrific end to the route. Arrive on a summer day and it’s the quintessential seaside resort, still with a touch of the 1950s about it; even on an autumn evening it has an undeniable appeal. But be warned – people have been known to stare out to sea and think “hmmm, maybe my next challenge should be the 4,000-mile North Sea Cycle Route”… 90 Over 6 I A g I B Kellet n i R i v e r K e 62 n

54 I Gressingham Wennington n

K D e D A 69 B6254 W

700 90 n e B64 u e r 8 L v 0 n t t n i r R e I 6 v i 0 8 R 4 Hornby A 6 B 6

8 C Nether I 3 Bolton 69 le Sands Kellet I KC K 90 A D D I 69 C 90 I A K 90 L 80 D D B64 D 90 L C 69 69 Wray I 5 0 1 N 5 View Field K A L I D

C 6 A D 69 Hest Bank Slyne K Halton Hill 3 D A68 6 90 5 0 1 5 A C 69 A683 Halton C K L u n e 90 D e r D v i 3 C K C 69 Bare R 68 N D Great 5 A 7 Wood 2 Torrisholme I Caton Brookhouse 5 A A B Barrow A 700 5 D Caton 89 6 4 B53 Moor 27 2 B5 1 Torrisholme 90 l e 9 I t B e 8 A r c A 5 3 6 A k E I 8 I 6 69 A Vale I I B I I 5 32 Knots I I B 1 6 A 5273 Scale Hall Wood A58 Hill Potts Hill A I 9 6 E E Campbell 90 The Cragg House I HIGH BENTHAM A65 Low Bentham D B6 I Clapham 68 48 D B6480 0 D DK DL B6480 C C B64 C A D K 80 K 68 E D B L 6 s I Bargh k 4 e 68 D 79 Hill w

K Austwick B e

c

k 69 90 A65 69 C 69 A D 68 69 A D Stainforth IA

k

c

69

e

B

e

K a Lawkland

s

s

d e e l t n t K e 9 90 7 B 4

e A 6

c 6 B

k 5

A B 6 Langcliffe 4 8 90 0 Burnmoor C D SETTLE K L N Giggleswick D L L Sugar K E Loaf Hill D DD High Hill

68 D L A 6 B 61 KJ 60 Stickhaw D Dolmire Hill Malham D R i v C Hill 5 e r Ratlock 6 2 W h Hill 6 Linton a B r f e Brown Langerton Hill Hamerton Hill Hill Skulberts 68 Hill B61 6 0 688 Burnsall Kail Hill C Langerton DC Hill CK D Stebden Kirkby A Hill L Kail Hill Malham I Carden 68 Hill Skelterton DC Numberstones 5 Hill A D D 26 End B6 E k c 688 Cracoe Thorpe C B e Peter's Fell Top Onion Folly Top B n Crag Hill 616 Herd r 0 u 68 Airton Hill b r e Limekiln t Hellifield Park Hill Little Houber n Hill D Watt Crag Ling Hill i Rangeber Moor Rylstone Top Blackber W Hetton Standard Hill Sweetber Winterburn Hill A6 Butter Hill Millstones 5 Hill 68 ong Cow Pasture Haw Hill Cow Pasture Banks ton DK Hill Hill Hill Sand Haw Peat House I Trunla Hill D Bracken Swamp Hill Thompson Haw Hill Nabs Sun Side I DK L Hole Ridge I Knots A N C 688 Pincher C 688 Top Hill C I Great D L Limekiln 65 Black B6 62 Ridge Ralph 5 16 B Hill B626 5 Hill 688 Jack Cabin Black Bewerley Top Shaws D 688 Well Hill Rough Hill 688 Glasshouses Hill Ridge Cock Hill Toothill Ridge Grimwith B6265 Greenhow Fell Hill 688 688 D 265 Knot Hill B6 C B Low Laithe 61 6 Rabbit 5 62 Hill Brown 65 B62 688 65 Hill High Crag E High Crag Summerbridge N C Burhill 51 K Langerton Ridge 64 B D Hill Middle Burhill KN Hill Nanny Pinder Black 67 Hawes Hill D Hill Nar Hill Palley's Crags Ray Bank Dodd D 688 Whithill Hartwith Hill Hackler's Hill B6165 Kail Hill Hen Stones Hill 165 Great C B6 Appletreewick LIttle Simon's Pock Stones I r 67 A D D Seat i v e N R i d E A Lords d I Simon's Seat B6 Seat D A 1 6 IA 8 657 NB E 5 RIPON B 626 I A 6 r 1 e v a L B626 657 e r R 5 v 688 NB I i R i v e r B6265 Brafferton U K

r

688 e D Helperby

NB C

5

6

2 C R

6

i

B

v R

i

e A D D v r C 1

S 6 e k NB 8 r e l B l S w e D 6 a l D 2 688 6 688 5

1

6

A I D How Hill N BOROUGHBRIDGE 688 NB K C NB Bishop DE Monkton D D D NB I I Aldborough A 688 I I A L 1 C 6 NB 8 N K 67 NB NB I NB B 6 688 2 6 A D 5 688

1 6 NB D NB A D Minskip

R i I v Burton I D e r Leonard

U r

e 67

NB NB D K D Staveley 688 5 Marton 5 0 cum Grafton

6

A

67 D NB B 61 6 Great A 26 Ouseburn 5 D NB B B6165 61 65 D D

A L 1 A19 I

688 B1 I NB 3 D 6 Great 3 I Ouseburn 65

l e y K I

r

e

Little

688 v

i

Ouseburn D C

Linton K R D K s on Ouse 65 s D o B F I 6 Strensall

2 r 6 R u s e D

e

5 i v O e r v

N i

D D K R K Newton upon D Ouse N K Shipton A by Beningbrough 1 3 9 6 3 K C 65 1 C L B D D Haxby E K D D L C I Wigginton K N D A6 hixley 65 KK C K B6265 D KD Nun Monkton K Earswick Moor E D Green Monkton L Hammerton A 7 23 C A1 A Skelton

A5 1 B1

9 9

N d 3 D

K 6 Huntington Stockton d

K i I I 3

on the

K L N D D

I Forest

r R i Kirk Hammerton e v e 65 K R i v A59 r O New Earswick u s e D 37 L 2 I D A1 D K C 65 Rawcliffe L C Upper C C Cattal C 36 A59 Poppleton C C 10 I D LL A D K A C I L N Clifton 4

6

Without A D D Hessay L A 65 59 N A K 19 Clifton Heworth The Groves D K 7 3 658 6 D 2 Leeman Murton 6 L 1 1 K A Beckfield Road A Tockwith Layerthorpe 66 Rufforth Long YORK Tang Hall Osbaldwick Marston B C 079 1 Holgate A1 C 22 B1224 Acomb K D 4 D 4 22 A 66 B1 K I A166 D K I 167 C 66 DD L Full Sutton Bishop D 6 Stamford Wilton ND A16 Bridge D K

Holtby 66

D 66 164 A A

R Low Catton

i

v High

e Catton

r D

Fangfoss D 66 e

6 D r 6 w I 1 K e A n t Dunnington Bolton 66 164

C A1079 L A 66 O D N K D D B Millington 1 A 2 10 2 79 8 D 66 Wilberfoss

A1079 164 6 C Warter B1 24 C L I D D 66 I POCKLINGTON 46 I D B12 Newton N N D Upon D DL B1246 6 K Derwent B124 DD Barmby L D B 1 B I Moor 2 12 KK 1 on the B Wolds N Wetwang K A1 C 6 6 D D D D A16 6 D Nafferton N A166 A614 Fridaythorpe A166 1 K D L D

1 A166 A166 DRIFFIELD B D 4 1 D 1 1 12 248 6 Little A B Driffield 12 49

1 N

167 Wansford

B 12 1 A1 2 D 4 6 9 164 4 Tibthorpe 4 Huggate 164 1 1 D 6 164 D A Skerne 164 N

B 1248 Southburn 12

164 1

L 4

6

1 A Hutton Cranswick North N

Dalton R

A 1 6 i D B1246 1 12 D v 4 K Bainton D e r l H u l 1

B1246 I

3 B125

5 B1 I B125 D B1253 Old Town I 2 B1 5 I 253 4 Rudston I E NB 1 BRIDLINGTON A 12 1038 NB A 165 12 West Hill 1 NB Hilderthorpe 12

14 A6 Carnaby D 1 A C I I 12 I 5 I 16 A NB N 4 A61

Burton Agnes

1 A614

NB 5

6

D 1 Harpham A 12

Lowthorpe 1 12

1 NB I Barmston I D 12 L I

5 6 Great 1 D Kelk NB A 1 12

B 1