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YORKSHIRE
DALES
Cycling Holiday - Up Hill and Down Dale
  Tell a Yorkshireman how beautiful his county is and you will get no more than a shrug in reply. Like the Texan he already believes implicitly that this is God’s own country. Grander, more dramatic and more spectacular than the puny hills of those not lucky enough to have been born in Yorkshire. It is hard to argue with that viewpoint.
The Yorkshire Dales was made a National Park in 1954 because of it’s wide range of stunning scenery, in particular the natural geological architecture of potholes, crags and limestone pavement. The Yorkshire Dales also has a lot more to offer including, sweeping moors, waterfalls and traditional picturesque villages, you will see all of these on the cycle way.
This circular route starts in Richmond’s picturesque Georgian streets. The circuit is divided into six day stages, of 18-25 miles (30-39km). The relatively short distances take account of the hilly terrain. The cycle way takes you through some of Northern England’s best scenery as it leads you through six dales, Wharfedale, Malhamdale, Ribbledale, Dentdale, Wensleydale and Swaledale. You will first be transfered to Grinton to start the tour and cycle to Kettlewell. Cross over the moors into Wensleydale and mediaeval Bolton Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned. A long gradual ascent of Coverdale takes you to the Tor Dyke pass, between the broad peaks of Buckden Pike and Great Whernside. Kettlewell to Skipton is a scenic stage taking you down Wharfedale, passing magnificent limestone scenery like the impressively overhanging mass of Kilnsey Crag. Beyond the interesting little dales town of Grassington you reach the ruins of mediaeval Bolton Abbey. From Skipton to Malham takes you through typical Wharfedale villages of Appletreewick and Burnsall before climbing to a pass and descending to Malhamdale, celebrated for it’s limestone rock features: the gorge of Gordale Scar and the 300 feet high amphitheatre of Malham Cove. Malham to Ingleton involves an ascent from Malham Cove to the picturesque upland lake of Malham Tarn before crossing high ground with views to the peaks of Fountains Fell and Pen-y-Ghent. Descend steeply into Ribblesdale and market town of Settle for lunch. In the afternoon you can visit the pretty village of Clapham before continuing to Ingleton. The route from Ingleton to Hawes explores four of the remote and less visited dales. Highlights include the delightfully pretty cobbled village of Dent and the spectacular Ribblehead viaduct. From Thornton you ascend Kingsdale to White Shaw Moss before descending Deepdale to beautiful Dent and on to wild Newby Head Moss before a pleasant run down to the busy little Wensleydale Town of Hawes. Start the day from Hawes to Richmond with a visit to Hardraw Force (waterfall), your route then follows the mild and gentle scenery of Wensleydale to Askrigg, a picturesque village then over the moors once again, and a glorious descent into Swaledale. After a visit to Muker you follow the Dale down to Reeth and its handsome village green and then take a quiet backroad to Marske and finally back to Richmond.
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Accommodation
7
nights/8 days - Our first night is spent in Richmond by the old green in a guesthouse converted from an old brewery. Our accommodation in
Kettlewell is in a small friendly family run 18th century country Inn. In the Market town of
Skipton the Inn is located close to the shops and tourist attractions. In
Malham your accommodation was built in 1874 on the site of an old 13th century coaching Inn. A cosy country Inn, tucked off the main road, is used in
Ingleton and in Hawes the welcoming hotel has a history as a coaching Inn stretching back to the 17th century. On our final night we return to
Richmond. All rooms have en suite facilities.
Terrain Undulating countryside provides some quite long hills and on occasion these can be quite steep. Moderate daily distances of between 30 and 39km allow plenty of time for the up hill sections and the descents are a just reward.
Sherpa
Notes Bike Hire
118/21 speed mountain bikes, equipped with a tool kit, lock and pannier. Accommodation and Meals
On a bed and breakfast basis in quality hotels and guesthouses with en suite facilities.. Start and End of Tour
Most convenient major city and international airport is Teeside, half hour by bus or taxi via Darlington.
From London 2.5 hours by train to Darlington, then bus or taxi to Richmond.
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vacations
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