THE WAY OF THE ROSES [273km / 2,900m elevation]
A spectacular Coast to Coast route running between Morecambe Bay to Bridlington. On this National Cycle Network route, you’ll pass through the Lune Valley, the Forest of Bowland, the Yorkshire Dales, Nidderdale, the Vale of York and the Yorkshire Wolds.
Our Top Tips
Which way? Sustrans claim you’re more likely to get a tailwind* West to East.
How many days? We went with three. Of course, it’s possible to do as a one day ride, or more.
How to get there? There are very frequent trains from London Euston to Lancaster that take two and half hours, then back from Bridlington four hours. We rode back to York for a two hour direct train to London Kings Cross. Do make sure to book the bike reservation early (usually 4 bikes allowed per train).
If you’re travelling up by train via Lancaster - it’s just as quick to ride to Morecambe than the train (thanks Rachel Dufton).
Can I keep going? Take a look at the Way of the Wolds routes around Bridlington to extend the ride.
* unfortunately not true when we (Chris Tsen, David Mason, Wai Lee, Simon Robinson, Geoff Pyle) road this in March 2025. Headwind all the way.
Day 1: (Lancaster to) Morecambe, Lancaster, Clapham and onto Giggleswick [55KM / 640M Elevation]
After an early train out of London to Lancaster, it’s a short ride to Morecambe for the starting line photo and another with the Eric Morecambe statue, then back to to Lancaster before climbing out into the quiet rolling lanes through Aughton in the midst of the Yorkshire Three Peaks to Giggleswick. We stopped overnight at the Harts Head Hotel, our bikes safely locked up at the hotel.
Day 2: Giggleswick, Settle, Pateley Bridge, Ripon to Borough Bridge [85KM / 1,550M Elevation]
Time for the climbs, first with an easy roll into Settle before the hardest climb of the route hitting 20%+ (look for the hidden kit kat) and be treated to some fantastic views as you climb up and then drop down Greenhow, the hardest hill if you’re heading east-west, into Pateley Bridge. Perhaps, recharged after lunch at the Talbot House [43km], a few more climbs before rolling through Ripon and onto Borough Bridge with a range of hotels and B&Bs. We stayed at the Crown Hotel with bikes in a locked bike cage - bring a lock as it’s in a public area.
Day 3: Borough Bridge, York, Pocklington to Bridlington [137KM / 750M Elevation]
Fuelled by a local delicacy from Taylors, a Yorkshire curd tard, it’s an easy roll through York past the MInster through to Pocklington. Then a great stop at the Whisk [63km] and the Field House Coffee Barn [82km] onto the coast, before the obligatory photo taken at the end. Rather than a train back to London, we stopped at the South Lodge Guest House for the night**, a perfect place to break enjoy Steve and Tony’s hospitality, a fantastic breakfast before riding back to York to catch a train.
** in Summer, it’s a two night minimum