Gravel biking in the North York Moors National Park
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The Cleveland Way sign on Sutton Bank’s Moorland Meander gravel biking route
For years, I gravitated towards the picturesque rocky landscapes of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Peak District’s White Peak. But when a walking project* took me into the wild open moorland of the northern Peak District, something shifted. Long days wandering in the heather-clad hills gave me a new appreciation for the UK’s moorland landscapes.
I began to swap the popular places for the windswept beauty of the moors. I walked them, rode them, and then started looking for new gravel biking tacks that promised a quieter kind of adventure. That’s when I discovered the North York Moors National Park had released a new series of routes.
This upland region in north-east Yorkshire has one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the UK. I’d rarely visited, until the places I knew best grew busier and I found myself drawn to this more peaceful corner of Yorkshire.
It turns out to be perfect gravel riding country!
Cycling in the North York Moors
The North York Moors National Park has three cycling hubs to get you rolling:
Dalby Forest
A well-known MTB hotspot with a full range of graded trails. There’s some great gravel cycling here too. Bike hire available.Sutton Bank
Graded MTB and Gravel Explorer routes along the dramatic escarpment and on natural bridleways or purpose-built loops. Bike hire available.Cinder Bike Hire
The traffic-free Cinder Track is 21.7 miles along an old railway line between Scarborough and Whitby. Bike hire at Robin Hood’s Bay.
Beyond these centres, a whole network of routes meander around the moorland, with endless opportunities for mountain biking, road cycling, and gravel biking.
Check these other cycling routes in the North York Moors for more detail.
Sutton Bank and the Moorland Meander
Located on the south-western edge of the National Park, Sutton Bank is the closest of the three cycling centres to the A1 road network. It sits high on a dramatic escarpment with incredible views over the Vale of Mowbray - once described by Yorkshire vet and author James Herriot as the “finest in England”.
The visitor centre has a cafe, bike hire, and route maps - with three Gravel Explorer routes starting from here:
Moorland Meander
A gentle off-road circuit that mostly stays high on the wide open moorland.
15 miles (25km), 200m of climbing. EasyRievaulx Raider
Inspired by Rievaulx Abbey, this route leaves the moorland to drop into the valley below, passing through Hawnby and Rievaulx.
24 miles (38km), 600m of climbing. ModerateHambleton Horizon
A more demanding loop that follows the old Drovers’ Road and the Cleveland Way escarpment before returning via the lower edges of the hills.
30 miles (50km), 865m of climbing. Hard
For my first taste of gravel riding in the area, the Moorland Meander felt like the perfect place to start.
Riding the Moorland Meander
Leaving Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, the ride began gently on tarmac and a cycle track alongside the road, a nice warm up to ease us into the route. Soon, we were meandering through fields on sun-dappled tracks and following a trail that took us past sunflowers to the edge of the escarpment.
And then - wow!
I had to stop for a moment just to look and soak it all in. Along the escarpment, the Vale of Mowbray stretched out in a patchwork of fields, dotted with farms and villages. We cycled across a grassy field before dropping into Boltby Woods. I couldn’t stop grinning as we sped downhill on the wide woodland track.
The grin quickly disappeared with a muscle-sapping climb on tarmac up to High Paradise Farm. But the effort was more than worth it.
High Paradise Farm’s cafe, accessible only by foot, bike, or horse, is fabulous. It serves tea, home-baked cakes, and seasonal dishes. The outdoor tables are perfect for soaking up the scenery, but there’s cosy indoor seating too if you’re there on a colder day. We relaxed in the sun, playing old school games at the table.
Refuelled and recharged, we hit the trails again, riding on some superb gravel tracks. The harder climbing was behind us, leaving amazing cycling with panoramic views stretching for miles. Our route headed towards Hawnby before veering off to stay high, crossing the moors back towards High Paradise Farm.
I loved this quiet section, away from the busier places nearer the escarpment. The route eventually left the moors to join a track passing close by the cafe (quick detour anyone) before a tarmac road that took us almost back to the visitor centre.
But the gravel fun wasn’t quite finished. One final turn took us back towards the escarpment and onto a twisting, flowing trail alongside the footpath. It was the perfect finale to an awesome route.
I loved my first introduction to gravel riding from Sutton Bank. We soaked up the wide open moorland, stunning views over the Vale of Mowbary, and the champagne gravel beneath our tyres. The Moorland Meander may be the easiest of the three routes, but it’s one I’d happily ride again and again.
Useful information for cycling the Moorland Meander
Distance and difficulty:
15 miles (25km), 200m of climbing. Graded easy - perfect for a first gravel adventure.
Surface:
Gravel tracks, tarmac, and grassy sections. Suitable for gravel bikes and mountain bikes.
Start/Finish:
Sutton Bank Visitor Centre. Plenty of parking, cafe, and route maps available.
Bike hire:
Available from the bike shop at the visitor centre.
Cafe and toilets:
Cafe and toilets at Sutton Bank Visitor Centre. High Paradise Farm is the only cafe on the route - highly recommended for a stop.
Navigation:
GPS route downloadable from the National Park website.
Best time of year to ride:
Any time!
Spring: may be cooler, but perfect on clear, sunny days - especially after winter.
Summer: warmer with longer days, although trails can be busier.
Autumn - often cooler with shorter daylight, but can still get lovely days.
Winter - usually cold or wet, and trails may be icy or snowy - fun if you have the right clothing and experience.
📸 Mr ODG: Gravel cycling in the North York Moors National Park
You may also be interested in reading:
15 adventures in the UK’s National Parks
Best places for outdoor adventures in the UK
Cycling the Hull to Hornsea rail trail
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