View of Knaresborough Viaduct – Rolling Country Road loop from Harrogate

Road cycling routes

United Kingdom

England

Yorkshire And The Humber

North Yorkshire

View of Knaresborough Viaduct – Rolling Country Road loop from Harrogate

Moderate

4.9

(11)

310

riders

View of Knaresborough Viaduct – Rolling Country Road loop from Harrogate

02:18

51.6km

500m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Tips

The surface for a segment of your route may not be suitable

Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.

After 29.2 km for 208 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

4.94 km

View of Knaresborough Viaduct

Highlight • River

Nidd Gorge is a ravine of about 3 miles in length between Nidd viaduct and Grimbald bridge. The Knaresborough section along which the NCN 636 runs offers a spectacular viewpoint of the town and bridges.

Tip by

11.4 km

View of Sutton Bank

Highlight • Viewpoint

13.2 km

Rolling Country Road

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Let the legs spin, enjoy the views

Tip by

26.7 km

Studley Royal Deer Park

Highlight • Historical Site

Riding through Studley Royal Deer Park you may be lucky enough to spot some of its famous inhabitants, the 500 Red, Fallow and Sika deer.

Here you will pedal along its lime tree flanked avenue which leads all the way to Ripon Cathedral.

The deer park is managed by the National Trust. For more details see their website nationaltrust.org.uk/features/fountains-abbeys-parkland

Tip by

27.3 km

View of Ripon Cathedral from the Northeast

Highlight • Religious Site

31.7 km

How Hill and St. Michael's Church

Highlight • Religious Site

Just a little outside of Harrogate the beauty of Yorkshire's landscape kicks in and won't let you off it's hook again. Tiny roads through gentle hills in an evergreen scenery, this area offers quite amazing views.

Tip by

42.3 km

Paved Bridleway to Ripley Castle Gatehouse

Highlight (Segment) • Historical Site

Nice path to Ripley castle, fine on a road bike as all paved

Tip by

45.3 km

Limekiln Wood

Forest

46.8 km

Sig's Wood

Forest

47.7 km

View of the Nidd Gorge from the Nidd Viaduct.

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Nidd Viaduct spans the Nidd Gorge at Bilton, near Harrogate. It is sometimes known as the Bilton Viaduct and was built in 1848. From here you can enjoy gorgeous views of the Nidd Gorge.

The Nidd Gorge was carved out of the sandstone during the last ice age. It has very steep sides and the viaduct was necessary to carry the Leeds and Thirsk railway across the ravine.

The viaduct is no longer in use as the railway was closed in 1967, but future restoration is possible as the local council look to improve transport links.

Tip by

51.6 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

33.0 km

9.07 km

5.23 km

2.36 km

1.89 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

50.9 km

500 m

183 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (160 m)

Lowest point (20 m)

Weather

Tuesday 6 October

13°C

6°C

-- %

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Comments

January 1, 2024,Happy New Year 🎊

Late start for a New Year's Day ride. Lovely and sunny with light westerly winds. A couple of flooded stretches of road to negotiate, but otherwise mud and road spray.
Another clarty bike...

April 8, 2024,Lost Lanes North route 18

Light to moderate southerly winds and overcast. Took the plunge and put the shorts on today, cool initially but soon warmed up😎.
Route taken from Jack Thurston's book, Lost Lanes North. Very small adaptation to start from home.