Discover the untamed beauty of the North York Moors with these new gravel explorer cycling adventures! Designed for mountain bikes and hybrids, our Explorer routes take you deep into hidden landscapes—across open moorland, through forest tracks, and into peaceful valleys where time slows down and cake is always within reach.
These three routes offer a true taste of off-road riding in the North York Moors - start your adventure at Sutton Bank National Park Centre and drop into Sutton Bank Bikes to get your route guide and cycling essentials!
Moorland Meander
Distance: 15 miles / 25 km | Grade: Easy | Elevation gain: 200m
Embrace the wild, open skies of the moorland plateau. This circular route kicks off on the Fort Trail, climbs gently onto the Cleveland Way past High Paradise Farm, and flows east across smooth gravel through Little Moor before looping south back to the start. Wide views, gentle terrain, and big skies define this ride.
Join Guy Kesteven, route creator extraordinaire and cycling journalist and ride the route in the video below:
Rievaulx Raider
Distance: 24 miles / 38 km | Grade: Moderate | Elevation gain: 600m
Follow the ancient rhythms of monastic life as you trace the River Rye to Rievaulx Abbey. Begin on the Fort Trail, enter the shaded Cleveland Way via Boltby Forest, and descend into Hawnby—an official Dark Skies Friendly Community. Return via scenic Nettle Dale and pastures near Old Byland. A perfect blend of nature, history, and challenge.
Join Guy Kesteven, route creator extraordinaire and cycling journalist and ride the route in the video below:
Hambleton Horizon
Distance: 30 miles / 50 km | Grade: Moderate/Hard | Elevation gain: 865m
Starting from Sutton Bank, this challenging ride takes in the dramatic edge of the Cleveland Way escarpment en route to Osmotherley. Return through Kepwick and Boltby Forest before a final flourish past “the Finest View in England.” A true taste of North York Moors off-road cycling.
Join Guy Kesteven, route creator extraordinaire and cycling journalist and ride the route in the video below:
Cycling writer Guy Kesteven, who has helped create the routes and is your guide for the route videos:
“I’ve been lucky enough to ride the North York Moors my entire life. These three routes provide a true taste of the rich off-road cycling available in a really accessible way and with options for all appetites.
“They're all carefully curated to showcase the incredible views, fascinating history, local hospitality and amazing diversity of landscape from wild moorland to stunning secret valleys that make the North York Moors such a special place to explore on a bike.”
What is gravel cycling?
Gravel riding is a cycling discipline that involves riding on unpaved surfaces like gravel roads, dirt trails, and forest paths, combining elements of road and mountain biking, offering a versatile way to explore a variety of terrains. It’s a great way to avoid major roads and get into quiet, beautiful places, it's social and relaxed—more about the ride than racing.
Gravel riding is especially popular in areas like the North York Moors, where you get a mix of well maintained trails, smooth gravel, forest tracks and epic scenery.
Best gravel events in the North York Moors this year?
Take a look at the best gravel cycling events in the North York Moors for 2025, covering everything from high-level racing to relaxing, mindful rides for the family:
15 June - Struggle Moors Gravel
Location: Sutton Bank National Park Centre
Brand new for 2025 Struggle Moors gravel run alongside the Struggle Moors road ride. A choice of 100km or 50km route, including testing climbs, stunning trails along the tops with mega views and fun, fast descents.
5-6 July - Yorkshire Coast Dirt Dash
Location: YHA Whitby. Non-timed, self-supported reliability bike packing event with overnight camping. Two days of riding on the Route YC Adventure Weekender Route, taking in the dramatic scenery of the Yorkshire Coast and North York Moors National Park.
11-13 July - Gravel Rocks
Location: Duncombe Park, Helmsley. A different kind of gravel event, two days with two stages. Two night timed segments (over 10km loop) and four day timed segments (over 75km loop). Created by the team from the Dirty Reiver.
12-14 September - British Gravel Championships
Location: Dalby Forest. The British Gravel Championships are the ultimate test of skill, endurance, perseverance to crown the country’s best gravel racers across Elite, Junior and Masters categories in both the Gravel Race & Time Trial.
28 September - Minds and Miles
Location: Sutton Bank National Park Centre. September is Mindful Month. Minds and Miles cycle event is a great opportunity to share a cycle through the National Park with friends and family. An event designed to help you slow down, look up and enjoy the National Park by bike – an easy gravel route option for those starting out on the off-road journey.
