Rothwell Greenway & the Aire & Calder Navigation loop from Leeds

This Tour is the perfect taste of ‘urban gravel’ riding, taking you to places around Leeds where city, country, peace, and exhilaration go hand-in-hand.

With 26.6 miles of distance and 800 feet of elevation gain, this ride is not too taxing. However, if you want to tackle the bike park, you will need some trail skills (or the confidence to give it a go).

From the train station, head south along roads, crossing over the River Aire and the M621. You skirt the edge of Hunslet Moor Park, cross over the motorway once again and join the Middleton to City Centre Cycle Route, a paved and gravel path that winds out of the city.

At Middleton Park, peel-off from the cycleway slightly and climb to Leeds Urban Bike Park, a flowing — and free-to-use — mountain bike and BMX trail with berms, drops, and jumps. When you’re done having fun, head down to Middleton Baptist Church and descend gradually into the green belt.

You cross under the M1 and, at the Gardeners Arms, join the Rothwell greenway. This superb gravel trail descends steadily along a lovely corridor of green to the cemetery. Here, you double-back and head along Styebank Lane, skirt around Springhead Park, and continue along roads to Moorhouse and join the leafy Trans Pennine Trail to the River Aire.

For the rest of the ride, you take a superb gravel trail beside the river past Thwaite Watermill, Thwaite Stone Circle, and the Royal Armouries back to the station. It is well worth spending some time to explore the sites along this pretty and varied section of trail.

For more great rides in Leeds, visit: https://www.komoot.com/guide/674702/cycling-around-leeds.