Road · United Kingdom
Yorkshire Moors with Rosedale Chimney
A mountainous 46 km road cycling loop from Great Habton, England through Blakey Ridge, Castleton and Ainthorpe, with 807 m of climbing over Yorkshire Moors and Seavey Hill.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 45.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 807 m
- Riding time
- 2–2½ hours
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Great Habton
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 807 m
- 46 km
Route description
- Great Habton
- Yorkshire Moors
- Blakey Ridge
- Castleton
- Ainthorpe
- Danby
- Seavey Hill
- Rosedale Abbey climb
- Rosedale Abbey
- Great Habton
This 45.7 km loop begins at Great Habton (106 m) and climbs steadily for 7.1 km gaining 245 m at an average gradient of 3.5% to reach 351 m near Blakey Ridge at 11.3 km. From here, the route continues along minor roads, including named roads Blakey Lane and Stepin Turn. After passing Castleton and Ainthorpe, it reaches Danby at 22.6 km, where there is a railway station and facilities like café, shops, toilets, and a bailout option.
From Danby, the route climbs again with a 1.7 km section at 3.8% average gradient, followed by a 5.3 km climb at 4.4% average to reach the highest point of 419 m around 31.5 km near Seavey Hill. Then a steep 1.8 km climb starts at 38.6 km with a 9.4% average gradient, reaching 306 m near Rosedale Abbey at 38.8 km. The road surface is 98% paved with 2% gravel or unpaved sections, mostly on minor roads. There is a longest descent of 7.4 km beginning at 13.7 km dropping 281 m. The route has 32.2 km on fast roads with speeds of 80 km/h or more.
Amenities include cafés and shops at several villages: The Lion Inn near Blakey Ridge (11.3 km), Stonehouse Bakery at Danby (22.9 km), Graze on The Green at Rosedale Abbey (38.5 km), and The Old School House Deli at Hutton-le-Hole (45.4 km). Water springs are available from km 17.3 to 36.2. Toilets can be found at Castleton, Rosedale Abbey, and Hutton-le-Hole. There is one bike shop near the start/finish at Great Habton. The longest stretch without cafés, shops, or water is the first 11.3 km from the start.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Yorkshire Moors (7.1 km at 3.5 %), Seavey Hill (5.3 km at 4.4 %) and the Rosedale Abbey climb (1.8 km at 9.4 %).
- Tops out at 419 m, 31.5 km in.
- A 7.4 km descent dropping 281 m.
Highlights
- Climb to Blakey Ridge at 11.3 km
- Highest point near Seavey Hill at 419 m
- Steep climb near Rosedale Abbey
- Longest descent: 7.4 km dropping 281 m
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire Moors | 0 km | 7.1 km · 245 m · 3.5 % · max 5.5 % | 7.1 km · 245 m · 3.5 % | 351 m |
| Unnamed climb | 24.4 km | 1.7 km · 64 m · 3.8 % · max 8.1 % | — | 185 m |
| Seavey Hill | 26.2 km | 5.3 km · 233 m · 4.4 % · max 10.7 % | 5.3 km · 233 m · 4.4 % | 419 m |
| Rosedale Abbey climb | 38.6 km | 1.8 km · 168 m · 9.4 % · max 16.3 % | 1.8 km · 168 m · 9.4 % | 306 m |
Yorkshire Moors · full ascent, starts at 0 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Seavey Hill · full ascent, starts at 26.2 km
Rosedale Abbey climb · full ascent, starts at 38.6 km
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 96% minor road · 1% quiet street · 1% path · 1% track · 1% other roads and tracks
- Fast roads
- 32.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Blakey Lane (8 km), Stepin Turn (6 km), Blakey Road (4 km), Knott Road (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 37% climbing · 40% descending · 23% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.9 km over 5% · 2.2 km over 8% · 1.5 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 15.6% at 39.6 km
- Longest descent
- 7.4 km from 13.7 km, dropping 281 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 14 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 11 water points, 8 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 11.3 kmThe Lion Inn · pub · 30 m off route
- 17.3 kmSammy's Spring · spring · 60 m off route
- 20.4 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · on the route
- 20.5 kmToilets · on the route
- 22.9 kmStonehouse Bakery Danby · café · on the route
- 23.8 kmWater tap · on the route
- 29.8 kmSpring · 110 m off route
- 36.2 kmSugget Spring · spring · 200 m off route
- 38.4 kmToilets · on the route
- 38.5 kmGraze on The Green · café · on the route
- 38.8 kmAbbey Store · convenience store · on the route
- 45.3 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 45.4 kmThe Old School House Deli · café · on the route
- 45.4 kmShop on the Green · convenience store · 110 m off route
- 45.4 kmMoorland Cycles · bike shop · 140 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 22.6 km — Danby (station), 270 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.3 km — The Nab (peak)
- 7.3 km — Pike Howe (archaeological site)
- 12.9 km — Margery Bradley (monument)
- 25.4 km — Danby Castle (castle)
- 29.7 km — Wolf Pit (archaeological site)
- 36.8 km — Bell Top (peak, 268 m)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Bikes and repair
- Moorland Cycles (160 m)
- Food and coffee
- The Old School House Deli (10 m), The Barn Tea Rooms (150 m), The Crown (80 m)
- Shops
- Shop on the Green (130 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch with no café, shop or water for 11.3 km from the start
- 32.2 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 2% gravel or unpaved sections on the route
- Steepest 500 m section at 15.6% gradient at 39.6 km