Cycling – Mountain Biking

Welcome to one of our Bespoke Cycling Pages

Wondering where to stay in the Dales that is bike friendly – this is it.

See Also >>  Road Cycling

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Chris and Jackie have been keen cyclists for the past 25years + and together have ridden both Mountain Bikes and Road Bikes all over the UK and other parts of the world.

We may be biased, but we think the Yorkshire Dales and Forest of Bowland AONB right here on our doorstep is world class!

Gisburn Forest MTB Whelpstone Crag Black Option route

Gisburn Forest MTB Whelpstone Crag Black Option route

Mountain Bike Cycle Routes and Maps

From right here in the centre of town you can ride some of the iconic roads  the area has to offer, we offer free advise on any route, long or short. Flat (ish) or hilly. Off Road (Single-track, natural or trail) Road and touring. Since living here in Settle from 2012 we are pretty much are experts!

You may wish to set your own routes using 3rd Party apps like Strava, Ride with GPS and Koomot featuring the epic’s which are accessible from our guest house

Some of the Top 100 Climbs are accessible to ride from the house, Cove Road in out of Malham, Cross of Greet near Slaidburn, Fleet Moss from Hawes – although not in the 100 – the cheeky HIgh Hill out of Settle (locally known as “IF-Hill “) ! is a must :)

If climbing is not your thing then there are more gentle gradients, the River Ribble is a feature of the area so not too much gradient there!

So we are more than happy to share our rides we have done on roads and trails, we have picked out a selection off our large collection from Strava since 2016 ever growing catalogue of rides. We have also downloaded the ride in the form of GPX should you not have his app, just contact us.

The timings/effort are based on a fairly fit (regular cyclist) middle aged man – aka Chris! Add about 5% Longer for Jackie as she is slower but with the same level of fitness. Both have the similar level of Skills with Mountain Bike i.e. Techy descents/climbs and for the Tarmac road riding.

Mountain Bike Videos – Go Pro footage

When we are out and about we have captured some Go Pro Footage in the past to get an idea of what’s out in our area;

This first one below is our favourite and goes straight out our backyard;

July 2018 – Settle Loop – Clockwise for the best Techy Downhill

August 2018 – Mastiles Lane Loop

June 2018 – Cam High Road Ribblehead

March 2018 – Gisburn Trails in Snow!

September 2017Long Lane and WashDubs

November 2020 – Ingleborough Climb & DH

Bike / Cycle Rental and Maintenance

If you are not able to bring your own bike why not contact our local bike shop, here in the centre of townRental and Sales

Also E-Bike Deals & News on Way of the Roses Route check out  SAVVY CYCLING

Bike / Cycle Storage and Bike / Cycle Cleaning

We also have a range of Bike Tools, Bike Stand, Track Pump you can borrow. Also Outside tap with hose and cleaning brushes you can also use. For you a place to dry your kit should that be necessary! We can wash/dry clothing gear at a nominal price if required. Lastly your bike will be safe inside our house, secured in the Cellar. Unfortunately a tandem bike will have to be locked up outside, out of sight, due to the stairs location in the Cellar.        E-Bikes: You are welcome to charge batteries in the bedroom if removed from the bike before storage

MTB with Qualified Local Guide

Local Mountain Bike Guide

Mountain Bike Riding (MTB)

We start off with Mountain Bike Rides and further down the page you will find the E-Bike Rides (simular trails but cover more distance over a shorter space of time)

Length / Time (Listed by Shortest first)

We call this “our back yard” Mountain bike ride. This is an additional section the long distance route Pennine Bridleway. We like to ride it in the clockwise direction as we love the rocky descent down Stockdale lane which can be quite technical for some. Of course the hill out and climbing gets the legs going but it does ease off and you are rewarded of views of Pen Y Ghent and Giggleswick Quarry/Scar with the River Ribble below. There is an option to view Jubliee Cave if that’s your thing?! Otherwise the long track gradually takes you up with views of Malham Tarn. There are quite a few gates and even a water feature (darn/stream) to go through. If you want to extend this loop have a chat to us and we can show you on the map another cheeky descent called “the best bit” but will involve a repeated climb on one section. Enjoy that descent we mentioned earlier back to the road that joins Settle – we continue on down Lambert lane but if you wish there is an “escape-route” back after the end of Stockdale tarmac lane. Turning off the Pennine Bridleway through a gate. Its another Bridleway to Turnpike Lane. Caution on the lane down past Lodge farm track / lane as used by local walkers and farmers. Reach the other road into Settle and back to the town for the 3 Peaks Bike Shop and Cafe

Moor Lane, Feizor and Washdubs ride leaves Settle on the Pennine Bridleway up the notorious Banks Lane – its steep! it then eases off over the fields with a view of Pen Y Ghent in the distance for where you are heading. Once you have been on a little tarmac. You then get the first down hill section into Stainforth called Gooseker.
You will then have a road climb out of Stainforth with a couple of steep sections. This brings you to a left turn down Moor lane, short uphill at first then onto a nice rocky descent which brings you into Helworth Bridge. Another short road section before joining a track which brings you into Feizor where you will see Elaine’s tea rooms which is well worth a visit for tea/coffee and cake . Suitably refreshed you now take a single track bridleway out of Feizor towards Austwick, slightly downhill but take care as this track is popular with walkers ! Farther down the track is a clacker bridge which is slightly tricky to get onto as I found on one occasion when I did get a bit wet ! some may choose the safer option of walking accross ! In Austwick turn left on the road for a short section then left on to a short offroad climb then another tarmack section firstly down then a steep climb which brings you to Washdubs which is aptly named ! this is a great single track section which flows really well do keep an eye out for walkers though ! This brings you to Wharf, where you will join the road all the way back to Settle passing through Little Stainforth along Stackhouse lane, finishing the ride at 3 Peaks Cycles bike shope and cafe for a post ride coffee.

Tour de Pen Y Ghent MTB This whole ride is best done after a dry spell and not recommended in the winter especially (unless hard frozen) as the one section can be too wet to ride due terrain conditions and its climbing (near the hamlet of Halton Gill and Fox Up ) For Fit athletes there is another additional option at the beginning to ride down Gooseker Decent before Stainforth. However this day we have taken the small road to this village and onto the Helwith Bridge junction with the stone track that is an imposing vision to this Yorkshire Peak of Pen Y Ghent. The track looks long – no imagination used – its called Long Lane! Once on it, not that bad with a few sections some would have to push as it can be tough and you will use all your gears! Joining the road after a brief light relief of some tarmac the next off road section is a pleasant track that hugs the contour of the Dale not really descending until you see the valley below and now into Littondale. Rocky and sometimes can keep you on your toes, the odd gate but fun and fast towards the bottom. The next tarmac lane brings you to the hamlet of Halton Gill and possible Katy’s Cuppas!   The next refreshment is a long way off in Horton. There is a steep grass climb out of Fox Up and just keeps on going with sections of Hike a bike – this is where you see that dry summer is best! Levelling off (a bit) you are now approcahing the back of the peak of Pen Y Ghent and Plover hill that is sign posted you are nearly over the worse of it if you don’t like up. The vast terrain and wilderness is fantastic if you want just bike and sheep! There is a cute section of singletrack hard surface in there with a couple of tricky streams to go through but in the correct gear they can be done! Once you reach the famous “Hull Pot” a collapsed cavern / giant pot hole 90m long with water rushing in. It’s slightly hidden from the trail but not far – worth a look. Then the great long descent along dry stone walls either side of this popular walking track so be aware – but plenty of room for everyone as its quite wide, but it is a bridleway to Horton in Ribblesdale Village (honey Pot for Tourists) The little lane back to Settle for 3 Peaks Bike shop and Cafe

Ride out to Gisburn Trails and round the 8 and Return. Gisburn Forest is part of the Forestry Commission and have manmade trails for all levels of abilities. Some would say the best in “England” It is possible to make a day of it and ride out from Settle around 10miles each way or park up in their car park. There are toilets and the cafe is available but check online for varied opening times. The ride and return can be done direct on a small b-road and we join the trail at the middle of the “8” from the village of Tosside (there is a sign that says Private road but this is to stop road vehicles going down this “fire-road”) it is a public bridleway. You will join the trail at the top of the Hope Line, now this gpxfile / Map will take you on our favourite bits of the trail and misses out the bits we don’t like so if you want the full Gisburn Experience follow the way markers for the Red Trail. It’s Rocky and technical in parts – this verison will take you on the Black Hully Gully but the “Long-Way Down” Red is just as fun. You can do both if you wish as there is a way to climb back up to do – look at the map on link to Gisburn Trails. There are no real big long climbs, the longest section is the “Hope-Line” with a great descent through the trees with table top features and lots to keep you alert. The trail centre is in the Forest of Bowland AONB with its vast wild moorland and pine forest and the Stocks reservoir as a feature. This Grand day out from the front door can be finished in the 3peaks bike shop and cafe.

This Ride out to Gisburn Trails and round the 8 and Return ride

E-Bike Mountain Bike Riding (E-MTB)

Length / Time (Listed by Shortest first)

Settle Loop, Malham + Tarn E-MTB ride is essentially an extension of the MTB Settle Loop and for a rider not on an e-bike it’s just longer in time. Leaving Settle up the Banks Lane on a rough track brings you across the fields which is part of the Pennine Bridleway, continue following and the long track that is Gorbeck with it’s water features (a stream) and a small rocky descent. The views are vast and a real sense of wilderness. The the glimpses of Malhamdale and the limestone outcropes. Also the Malham Tarn (the highest marl “Glacial Lake”) in England. Your first real down hill section is named the “Best-Bit” and it sure gives you a grin! Reaching the famous Cove Road its back on Tarmac for a short decent then back off road to the Village of Malham which is a tourist hotspot of the Yorkshire Dales. Where you will find Cafe’s and Pubs. A Long Tarmac climb on the alternative road out of the Village will give you great views of the amphitheater style limestone rock of Malham Cove. After reaching the top a rough track around the back of the Tarn – watch out for a few wild ponies!! Don’t worry there’s plenty of room for everyone. More undulating terrain with a mix of grassland and stone tracks will bring you to the last main downhill of the day. Stockdale Lane descent with its technical rock gardens, rollable the bike knows where to go! So go with the flow and enjoy. Final short tarmac section back to the 3 Peaks Bike shop and cafe

Settle Loop with the extention of Mastiles Lane. Again we are using the MTB Settle Loop to access trails further away and for a rider not on an e-bike it’s an epic day out with plenty of climbing. Leaving Settle up the Banks Lane on a rough track brings you across the fields which is part of the Pennine Bridleway, Continue onto a long track called Gorbeck and a small rocky descent. The views are vast and a real sense of wilderness. The the glimpses of Malhamdale and the limestone outcropes. Also the Malham Tarn (the highest marl “Glacial Lake”) in England. Crossing a Tarmac road (Cove road to Malham Village) the terrain is now grassland and on reaching the edge of the tarn its a short ride along a tarmac gated road to what is called Street gate. Now known by Jackie & I as “Herriot’s Bus Stop” !!…moving onto the second loop, this is a climb over more grassland which ends up in the hamlet of Arncliffe Cote. The climing is easier on an e-bike and then the descent is very spectacular with the feeling of a world 1000’s of years ago. Another road section and into the village of Kilnsey where there is a pub and just past the junction that you will turn off it the Fishing Lake (Trout) which has a recommended Cafe. Now the long climb up Mastiles lane – this was an old drovers track back in the day and it feels like it ! goes on for ever! One section is steep and rocky and pretty technical but worth it for the great view that has gone behind you. The track becomes less rocky and more grass with a few gates. You even pass an old Roman Camp area! Just a information board there now! You can dip your feet into the Gordale River crossing and then back Street Gate. Retrace your ride back to re-join the Settle Loop and this will bring you to the last main downhill of the day. Stockdale Lane descent with its technical rock gardens, rollable and can be fast – so enjoy. More tarmac farm lane descends. You then have a great track bridleway that goes through Lodge Farm for the final short tarmac public highway road back to the 3 Peaks Bike shop and cafe

This Gooseker Dalehead E-Bike ride was originally done without the power of the E-Bike however to quicken things up on the various climbs its a cheeky one to do from our front door. Leaving Settle on the Pennine Bridleway up the notorious Banks Lane – its steep! it then eases off over the fields with a view of Pen Y Ghent in the distance for where you are heading. Once you have been on a little tarmac. You then get the first down hill section into Stainforth called Gooseker. This can be a popular walking route so caution on one blind bend of walls and rocky track. This is the path to Catrigg Force a famous waterfall in this part of the Yorkshire Dales. The next long tarmac climb out of the village of Stainforth is then rewarded for more off road downhill action. You will reach the edge of PYG Peak and you will spot the path that takes walkers to the summit. We are not going there but on the aptly named “Long Lane” – one of the grin factor descents you will do in the area. It does have a few gates to slow you down and not really popular with walkers and good vision ahead so you can let rip! (within safety and caution for sheep and the odd horse) You can then breath again when you reach the tarmac road near Helwith Bridge – with a local pub near the Quarry. The return takes you on a nice lane with classic Dales character that takes you back to Settle and the 3 Peaks B ike Shop and Cafe.

This ride is essentially an extension of the MTB Settle Loop and for a rider not on an e-bike it’s just longer in time. Leaving Settle up the Banks Lane on a rough track brings you across the fields which is part of the Pennine Bridleway, continue following and the long track that is Gorbeck with it’s water features (a stream) and a small rocky descent. The views are vast and a real sense of wilderness. The the glimpses of Malhamdale and the limestone outcropes. Also the Malham Tarn (the highest marl “Glacial Lake”) in England. Your first real down hill section is named the “Best-Bit” and it sure gives you a grin! Reaching the famous Cove Road its back on Tarmac for a short decent then back off road to the Village of Malham which is a tourist hotspot of the Yorkshire Dales. Where you will find Cafe’s and Pubs. A Long Tarmac climb on the alternative road out of the Village will give you great views of the amphitheater style limestone rock of Malham Cove. After reaching the top a rough track around the back of the Tarn – watch out for a few wild ponies!! Don’t worry there’s plenty of room for everyone. More undulating terrain with a mix of grassland and stone tracks will bring you to the last main downhill of the day. Stockdale Lane descent with its technical rock gardens, rollable the bike knows where to go! So go with the flow and enjoy. Final short tarmac section back to the 3 Peaks Bike shop and cafe

This Horton in Ribblesdale ride can be accessed straight from the guest house.


An E-bike ride was used for this day as the main travel to the start of the trails begins in the Yorkshire Dales village of Horton in Ribblesdale. However as this is a popular start for walking in the area the National Park car park is in the centre of the village should you wish to park up and ride from here. From Settle its a pleasant 5 mile tarmac road, with a short few hills enroute. From Horton itself leave out the back of Crown Pub via their car park. The rocky track leads you straight up a steep gradient , it does get less rough and easier pedalling. With great views of Pen Y Ghent Peak on your right and far reaching vistas ahead of you. This is bridlepath and part of the Pennine Way. Eventually you enter the Forest of Langstrot. There are a few options when you get into the forest, at the main track-junction. I took the slightly longer route by carrying straight ahead which brings you on the top part of the forest. The usual route is to turn off to the right and take the other forest road. Both come out at the same point and a Tarmac lane (a farm drive). Enjoy the fast descending in the Forest! On reaching the public road you will be glad of the e-assistance as you will be climbing for quite a time as this is the back-side of the famous Fleet Moss! Turning off again, after you have admired the stunning views of Hawes in the distance below! The next great off road section is along the Cam Houses track ! This bridleway is also part of the Dales Way (walking route). Plently of room for all users and good visablity – just be aware there are now two long distance walking routes on this path. It is isolated so not that you will see many folk! In the very distance you may be able to spot the Ribblehead Viaduct in the horizon before the next turn on the fab descent back to the start. Can be technical but the last mile of so is on tarmac lane to the village of Horton. Its then a repeat ride to the return to Settle and the 3 peaks bike shop and cafe

Drive to Near Ribblehead (12miles) to Start this ride, We park either at the viaduct or as we did on this day carry on the Hawes Road and there is a layby 1.5 miles further by a old barn