Helmsley loop to Rievaulx Abbey & the Cleveland Hills

While listed as a racebike tour, the 'Helmsley loop to Rievaulx Abbey & the Cleveland Hills' route includes significant off-road sections, gravel tracks, and potentially muddy parts, making it largely unsuitable for traditional road bikes. You might encounter 'wet slippy rocks on a 20% gradient hill' and need to walk your bike. This route is best suited for gravel bikes or mountain bikes. It is rated as difficult due to challenging climbs and varied terrain.

This route offers a wealth of scenic and historic sights. You'll pass by the tranquil ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, a significant Cistercian monastery. Other notable points include the challenging Chop Gate to Clay Bank Climb and the exhilarating Clay Bank Descent. You can also enjoy a View of Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook’s Monument from Ingleby Greenhow, and visit the Young Ralph Cross. The route also features panoramic viewpoints like Potter's Side Lane and View of Sandhill Bank.

The route typically starts and ends in Helmsley. There are various public car parks available in Helmsley, which serve as convenient starting points for exploring the area. Specific parking details can often be found on local council or North York Moors National Park websites.

While the route is primarily designed for cycling, sections of it follow paths that are also popular with walkers. If you plan to bring a dog, be aware that you will be sharing paths with cyclists and potentially livestock. Dogs should be kept on a lead, especially near livestock and in sensitive wildlife areas, as per North York Moors National Park guidelines.

The best time to cycle this route is generally from late spring to early autumn (May to October). During spring, you might see wild garlic, bluebells, and primroses in the woodlands. Summer offers longer daylight hours and generally drier conditions, though the off-road sections can still be muddy after rain. Autumn provides beautiful foliage. Winter cycling can be challenging due to colder temperatures, shorter days, and potentially icy or very muddy conditions on unpaved sections.

No, you do not need a permit or to pay an entrance fee to access the North York Moors National Park itself. It is a public landscape. However, specific attractions along the route, such as Rievaulx Abbey, are managed by English Heritage and may require an admission fee to enter the ruins.

Yes, Helmsley itself offers a good selection of cafes, pubs, and shops at the start and end of your ride. While the route passes through more remote areas, you may find options in villages like Chop Gate or other small settlements within the North York Moors. It's always advisable to carry sufficient water and snacks, especially for the longer, more remote sections.

Yes, this route shares sections with several other trails. Notably, it overlaps with parts of the Moors to Sea (16%), The Inn Way (13%), and National Cycle Route 165 (11%). It also briefly touches the famous Cleveland Way (3%) and the EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 4 (6%).

Yes, as the name suggests, the 'Helmsley loop to Rievaulx Abbey & the Cleveland Hills' is a circular route, starting and ending in Helmsley.

The route offers incredibly diverse and picturesque scenery. You'll experience the historic charm of Helmsley and the serene valley setting of Rievaulx Abbey. The ride takes you through woodlands, open fields, and across the expansive heather moorland of the North York Moors, providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Hambleton Hills.

This route is known for its challenging ascents within the Cleveland Hills. Key climbs include the Chop Gate to Clay Bank Climb, the Climb from Castleton to Commondale, and the Blakey Bank Summit. These sections contribute significantly to the route's 'difficult' rating.