Yorkshire Dales

[Omaruk]

I am heading from Liverpool to York but would like to explore a driving route around and through the Yorkshire dales. Any recommendations please? Ideally scenic and flowy

[coppice]

If - IF - you hit lucky the A684 from Sedbergh to Bedale can be a great drive, especially at the western end . But it can also be tractor and motorhome hell . I'll be driving it there and back on Thursday, and just pre Easter I expect to be doing more listening to the radio than heel and toeing ...

[TGCOTF-dewey]

I used to commute across to Liverpool and occasionally when the 62 was shutbor I was sick of the same route on a sunny evening would wind my way north of the 62. TBH the time it adds and the many villages you get stuck in means I wouldn't bother.

You'd be better off getting to York ring road, heading to Helmsley to do the TT (Helmsley > Stokesly rd) and then loop over to the Blakey Ridge road, then back to York. Or a quicker route is simply turn back to Helmsley when you hit Stokesly roundabout.

Amazing scenery, great roads, and a lot less frustrating too.

[Omaruk]

Thanks all, the main aim is to explore the Dales rather than shortest time I am open to 4 hours of driving to see the area.
What I do want to do is avoid is country lanes with passing places as that gets tedious after a while, so was hoping for suggestions in that vein.

[loughran]

You could get to Skipton from Burnley direction and then you'll be in the Dales.

Then up to Grassington, Greenhow, Pateley Bridge, Ripon.

(Alternatively Pateley Bridge, Middlesmoor, Leighton, Masham, West Tanfield, Ripon.)

Ripon, then lunch at the Punchbowl at Marton cum Grafton and then on in the general direction of Linton on Ouse... York.

Can't guarantee you won't see a caravan.

[P675]

I went around the Dales on my bike back in October so it wasn't very busy. There's some interesting and scenic roads, but flowy isn't how I'd describe it. I quite often had to stop for sheep, pedestrians in weird places, and parked up cars at tourist spots. It's worth seeing for sure though, around sunset everything looks golden it's lovely.

[danielcarter]

I’d go via Settle, then up to Ribblehead and Hawes really nice open roads and views then through Aysgarth and Leyburn before heading to York.

[giveitfish]

Those roads are mega, but what I will say is the whole area is surprisingly busy during the day.

To make progress I’d want to be in the Dales well before 7am and on my home before 9am. Cyclists will be out in force from soon after 8.

The scenery will be just as beautiful during the day and you’ll get some clear bits, but it won’t flow like it does early doors.

[loughran]

danielcarter said:

I d go via Settle, then up to Ribblehead and Hawes really nice open roads and views then through Aysgarth and Leyburn before heading to York.

Yes, this, if you have the time.

[Omaruk]

danielcarter said:

I d go via Settle, then up to Ribblehead and Hawes really nice open roads and views then through Aysgarth and Leyburn before heading to York.

Thank you, that looks just the ticket

[7mike]

Omaruk said:

danielcarter said:

I d go via Settle, then up to Ribblehead and Hawes really nice open roads and views then through Aysgarth and Leyburn before heading to York.

Thank you, that looks just the ticket

When you get to Aysgarth, rather than keeping going through Wensley to Leyburn, I'd suggest taking the left over the bridge to Carperby, looks great when the river's in full flow! then follow signs for Redmire, past Castle Bolton then drop back down to Leyburn. From Leyburn head South to Masham and on to York that way.

[_Rodders_]

coppice said:

If - IF - you hit lucky the A684 from Sedbergh to Bedale can be a great drive, especially at the western end . But it can also be tractor and motorhome hell . I'll be driving it there and back on Thursday, and just pre Easter I expect to be doing more listening to the radio than heel and toeing ...

My dad lives on that road. I know every overtaking opportunity between Beadle and Kendal.

It gets tight in places. Best bit is between Leyburn and Hawes IMO but they do put camera vans out every now and then.

My last points in 2017 were on that road. 78 in a Honda Insight at 10 to 9 at night. That last bit really miffed me as there was no other traffic on a Sunday evening at that time.

[Wacky Racer]

loughran said:

You could get to Skipton from Burnley direction and then you'll be in the Dales.

Then up to Grassington, Greenhow, Pateley Bridge, Ripon.

(Alternatively Pateley Bridge, Middlesmoor, Leighton, Masham, West Tanfield, Ripon.)

Ripon, and then on in the general direction of Linton on Ouse... York.

Can't guarantee you won't see a caravan.

That's exactly the route I went in my motorhome last week from my house near Burnley to York


Sign at Pateley Bridge car park.