Fort short loop (blue) — Sutton Bank MTB trails

The short blue Fort loop is a cross-country style mountain bike route. Although it lacks significant elevation changes, which to many will be a positive trait, it more than makes up for that with spectacular views across Yorkshire.

Starting from Sutton Bank Bikes, head to the back of the car park and follow blue signs into Hambleton Plantation for a warm-up lap of the ‘cyclocross’ course. This consists of wide, gravelly tracks with a few rollers and berms to get you into the swing of things.

Take a short stint on the quiet road before turning onto the narrow singletrack that runs around the edge of the field to Dialstone Farm. Here, you turn left onto the bridleway track. You’ll shortly turn right to continue to follow the blue signs for the Fort trail.

Plug away across the fields, sticking to the paths, before reaching another gate that leads you back onto tarmac. It’s only a short stretch along here on the narrow lanes with beautiful field views all around. Keep your eyes peeled for partridges!

A gentle climb is up next as you turn left through another gate back onto another off-road track. Twisting around the trees, you then reach the climax of the loop; that view. Descend a little to the fingerpost marking the bridleway and Cleveland Way, where I’d highly recommend pausing to take in the vista of the bank and huge expanse of classic English countryside before you.

To complete the short loop, turn sharp left here, as signposted, to follow the narrow singletrack trail along the top of the bank back towards the trail centre. It flows beautifully, and with just a small rocky section, it should be more than manageable for most riders.

The views evolve as you ride along the ridge, with the vista down over Gormire Lake a particular highlight. The last section takes you through Cliff Plantation, twisting and turning on the flat, featureless trail right to the trail centre car park.