Discover the north of the North York Moors with these new gravel explorer cycling adventures! Designed for gravel, mountain or hybrid bikes, our Explorer routes take you deep into our hidden landscapes - across open moorland, through forest tracks, quiet roads and into peaceful valleys where time slows down and cake is always within reach.
These four new routes start from a number of locations from across the north and Esk Valley, also great accessibility to access the route using the Esk Valley railway.
Gribdale Gravel Explorer
Distance: 11 km / 7miles | Grade: Easy/moderate | 300 m elevation
Train Station - nearest station Great Ayton.
Starting point: Bike Base, Gribdale Terrace TS9 6HL
A taster gravel route around Roseberry Topping featuring quiet lanes, flowing forestry gravel and moorland tracks with steady climbs, all beneath the “Matterhorn of the north.” This short loop mixes some tarmac with a few gravel sections, good for riders new to off road cycling. Traversing under the hanging stone within Guisborough Forest and joining Percy Cross Rigg to Kildale before returning to Gribdale Gate.
The route can also be accessed via public transport using Kildale or Great Ayton station. Bike hire available from Bike Base.
Join Guy Kesteven, cycling journalist and ride the route in the video below:
Ingleby Horseshoe Gravel Explorer
Distance: 35km / 22miles| Grade: Moderate | 620 m elevation
Train Station - nearest station Great Ayton.
Starting point: Bike Base, Gribdale Terrace, TS9 6HL
From Bike Base, the route heads south through Easby and into Ingleby Greenhow before reaching the centrepiece of the ride: the Ingleby Horseshoe. This gravel section features long, flowing stretches of “champagne gravel” before emerging at Bank Foot.
The return leg passes back through Ingleby Greenhow and Kildale before joining National Cycle Network Route 168 on Percy Cross Rigg. From there, the route climbs into Guisborough Forest and follows the contours towards Roseberry common, sandwiched between Roseberry Topping and Little Rosebrry, before the final descent down into Aireyholme Farm.
Esk, Coast and Iron Gravel Explorer
Distance: 60km / 37 miles| Grade: Hard | 1000m elevation
Train Station - nearest station Nunthorpe, also goes via Castleton, Commondale and Danby.
Starting point: Guisborough Town, TS14 6BX, parking available at Specialized Guisborough.
A gravel adventure through the historic “Land of Iron”, linking rugged coastline, rolling moorland and the industrial heritage of the North York Moors. The route follows quiet lanes, gravel tracks and flowing off road sections through woodland, farmland and former mining landscapes shaped by the region’s ironstone industry.
Passing through the old ironstone landscapes and down the Esk Valley, you’ll travel through the villages of Castleton, Commondale and Danby before reaching the coast at Skinningrove, home to the Land of Iron museum, joining the dismantled railway and riding back into Guisborough along the National Cycle Network 168.
A challenging journey from Guisborough through the Esk Valley and historic ironstone landscapes to the coast at Skinningrove, returning via the former railway and National Cycle Network Route 168.
Blakey and Fryup Gravel Explorer
Distance: 50km / 31 miles | Grade: Hard | 1000m elevation
Train Station - nearest station Danby, also goes via Castleton, Commondale and Danby.
Starting point: Danby Lodge National Park Centre, YO21 2NB
Beginning in the heart of the Esk Valley at Danby Lodge National Park Centre, this route heads west along quiet country lanes and National Cycle Network Route 165 towards Kildale. A challenging climb onto the moorland escarpment leads to the centrepiece of the ride: Blakey Ridge, following the distinctive former railway line across the high moorland to The Lion Inn.
From here, the route joins sections of the Coast to Coast National Trail before descending back into the dramatic landscape of Fryup Dale and returning along the Esk Valley. Some pristine champagne gravel. Worth waiting for one of the clearer days given the exposure on the tops.
Also options to use the Esk Valley Railway to access the route or jump between stations using the train.
Last updated: 21 Sep 2026