Buttertubs Pass & Oxnop Scar loop from Hawes — Yorkshire Dales National Park

Embark on a difficult touring bicycle loop from Hawes, covering 22.7 miles (36.5 km) with a significant elevation gain of 2370 feet (722 metres), typically completed in 2 hours and 35 minutes. This challenging route takes you over the famous Buttertubs Pass and Oxnop Scar, offering winding paved roads, classic stone walls, and expansive views across Wensleydale and Swaledale. You will encounter the distinctive 20-meter-deep limestone potholes near the summit of Buttertubs Pass, a unique geological feature that gives the pass its name. The high moorland setting provides memorable scenery throughout your ride.

This hard bike ride demands very good fitness, especially with initial gradients on Oxnop Scar reaching up to 25% and Buttertubs Pass hitting 15-20%. Be prepared for exposed sections on the upper slopes where strong winds are possible, and watch out for wandering sheep on the roads. For managing the steep climbs, consider using climbing gears such as a compact system with a small front chainring and a large rear sprocket. The descent into Muker from Buttertubs Pass includes sharp, steep hairpins, so careful control is essential.

Buttertubs Pass is renowned for its challenging nature and historical significance in professional cycling. It gained international fame as a categorized climb in Stage One of the 2014 Tour de France, where German cyclist Jens Voigt led over the summit. The pass was also scheduled for the 2019 UCI Road World Championships and is featured in "Simon Warren's 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs." Farmers historically used the cool limestone potholes near the summit to store butter, adding to the rich local lore of this iconic Yorkshire Dales route.