Dalby Forest Cycle Loop

Keen mountain biker's are in for a real treat next time they visit the North York Moors.

There is a fantastic 15-mile (24 km) loop trail through Dalby Forest that takes in beautiful heather moorland, forest tracks, and the Hole of Horcum.

Riders will also get to visit the pretty village's of Lockton and Levisham.

The Route

Start the ride from the Saltersgate car park on the A169 Whitby to Pickering road near the Hole of Horcum.

Turn right out of the car park on the A169 and ride for 120 metres on the busy road to turn right onto the road towards Newgate Foot Farm.

Don't go into the farm but stay on the top bridleway.

You'll arrive at a lovely viewpoint and then take the right fork at the cross-roads along the stone road signed to "Cockmoor".

Continue through the forest and onto Dalby Forest Drive.

Skirt round Ebberston Low Moor and pass through the road barrier on the tarmac road.

You're now on the Moor to Sea cycle-route which you follow right onto a forest track.

Then quickly turn left on the route to Housedale Rigg.

At the first cross roads of forest tracks, turn left until you reach the car park at "Go Ape".

Turn right and follow the Moor to Sea cycle-route up the vally to high Dalby House.

Just after the house, turn left on the bridleway downwards to cross Dalby Beck.

Turn left then right up the field and into the woods until you reach the tarmac road.

Climb up the steep hill to reach the A169 road.

Turn right and follow the cycle path alongside the road until you reach the road crossing point.

Follow the obvious route downhill into the village of Lockton.

Tun left at the T-junction and down the village's main street.

Follow the signpost for "Levisham".

You'll drop down to cross the river and then a steep climb uphill to the next village.

At the top of Levisham, keep right at the Horseshoe Inn and follow the road onto the Moor.

Continue onwards past Dundal Pond and onto the bridleway as the Hole of Horcum begins to open up before you on the right.

Drop down through the gate and turn right towards the carpark where you started.

Details

Mostly  good formed paths with quiet tarmac roads.

288 metres of climbing.

Allow around 3 hours.

Refreshments at Dalby Forest Visitos Centre, Lockton and Levisham.

Useful map: OS Explorer OL27 North York Moors.