An easy ride but no less rewarding, on wide trails with great views in the Yorkshire Dales. Starting from the Ribblehead Viaduct the route goes SE on the road to Horton in Ribblesdale. Then onto a bridleway over the river Ribble and through a farm where a large flock of sheep were being managed. We moved through them carefully to get through the gate and not let any through. Not long after a stream beckoned a further look as it disappeared into a cave beneath the track.
A climb then leads up to Cam End and NE on to the Pennine way. We then had a good view of some paragliders soaring above, before turning west onto the Pennine Bridleway & Ribble Way track - a delightful meandering descent.
Then climbing again up and alongside Wold Fell to Dent Fell and a lunch stop in a suntrap at the top of Artengill Beck. The descent on the track beside the beck was quick and only slowed by gates and numerous drainage channels which needed respect. The viaduct loomed ever larger as one approached before passing beneath it.
The return was straightforward by minor road, a final section off road entitled “Black Rake Road”, then the main road back to the laybys where the cars were parked.
To finish we had an excellent coffee and cake stop at the Ribblehead station tea rooms.
Route from the Cicerone guidebook “Mountain biking in the Yorkshire Dales”