Cycle Routes around Leeds and Darlington
Cycle routes around Leeds
Leeds to York
- Distance
- 30 miles
- Terrain
- On road, mainly country lanes. No significant hills
A picturesque route running through villages and quiet lanes from
Leeds to York. Return via the same route or by train from York
Station (£10 single ticket)
Though mostly signposted, you should take a road map.
Starting from within Leeds, the first major point to aim for is
the windmill roundabout at Seacroft where the A64 York Road
diverges from the Leeds ring road. The simplest and quickest route
is to follow York Road out from Regent Street, though there are
quieter alternatives to be found by zig-zagging thrugh Harehills
& Seacroft. From the roundabout, follow the A64 towards York
then take the signposted turnoff to Thorner, leaving the main
road behind.
Follow the road through Thorner (and any signs to Bramham),
as it bends sharply to the right onto Church Hill. This road
eventually crosses the A1 outside of Bramham. Once over the A1,
turn right, then first left into Bramham then turn right just past
the garage. Follow the road through Clifford then right at the
end (A658) to reach Tadcaster. Turn left at the end of the road
(Kirkgate) then, once across the river, take the 2nd left
(traffic-lights at the hilltop).
Now you're really into the country lanes, and isn't it grand,
rolling through the scenery, not a car in sight, the only sound
being the gentle zen-like hum of your bike as it eats up the
miles ... but I digress, keep the miles rolling and you'll reach
Wighill, then Healaugh. Turn left here to head for York.
From Healaugh, follow the road down past Askham Richard then turn
into Askham Bryan. Turn right in the centre and you'll reach the
York ring-road. Cross the main road following the posted
cycleroute signs to Acomb. Left at the mini roundabout then right
at the end of the road then you'll be able to follow the road all
the way into the centre of York, signs for the station or the city
centre.
The Eccup Run
- Distance
- 13 miles
- Terrain
- On road, mixed grades
A circular ride North of Leeds, out via the Harrogate road then
past Eccup Reservoir, along country lanes through Eccup (optional
pub call) and back across the ring road to enter Leeds along the Otley
road via Headingley.
Uphill on the way out, downhill on the way back.
Canalbank To Horsforth
Route Map Pending
An easy run along the canal bank, past the remnants of Leeds
industrial past out past Armley & Kirkstall then back along the
main Abbey/Kirkstall road.
Cycle routes around Darlington
Stapleton, Croft, Neasham Circular
- Distance
- 9 miles
- Terrain
- Mainly on road with 1 off-road (bridleway) section.
A gentle afternoon ride with 1 scenic off-road section via a bridleway,
pleasant views across the fields.
2
crossings of the bypass but each at a roundabout so the traffic will be
slowed down.
From the town centre, head out along Grange Road (A167) past South Park,
Skerne Park & Blackwell Grange Hotel. Past the Rugby Club, take the 2nd
exit at the roundabout, keeping the car showroom on your left.
Over the River Tees, turn left at the next roundabout (you don't want to be
on the motorway :P) and head down the road to the village of Stapleton,
taking the first road on the left. Follow this road along. There's a farm at
the end to your right but your route is left of this through the marked
field-gate.
Following the path along, you'll descend into Croft & emerge muddied by
the Croft Hotel. Head left up the road & over the river. From The Comet
pub you can either follow the road along to the left then turn right at the
next roundabout to take the shorter route back to town, or turn right &
up the hill through Hurworth towards Neasham.
If you turn right at The Comet, simply continue along the road & turn
left after about 1.5 miles (by the Otter & Fish)
This turning will lead you to Neasham Road and Darlington, only a few miles to go.
Straight over the A67 at the bypass, you can continue to Yarm Road at the
end & turn left there to reach the town centre.
To Walworth Gate & back
- Distance
- 12 miles
- Terrain
- On road, surfaced cycletrack & well-made farm track
Cross the countryside & visit villages over the A1, with a coffee
stop part-way round
Leaving the town centre near M&S, you can either head up North Road,
take the first left and zig-zag up through Faverdale following the council's
cycle route signsa for an interesting look at some of the victorian estates or
take the more direct route up the Barnard Castle road (which the faverdale
route joins anyway).