Goathland to Glaisdale

Brian Beadle continues his 100-mile challenge mountain bike route across the North York Moors National Park with a stretch from Goathland to Glaisdale.

The 100-mile challenge route, or Beadle's Bash as it is known, runs from Scarborough Spa to Helmsley market place.

Start from the car park in Goathland and at the road turn right and cycle past the shops. At the road junction go left then in quarter of a mile just past the Mallyan Spout Hotel turn right at the junction towards Egton Bridge.

Shortly leave the road and turn left on to a signed bridleway heading up, then parallel to the road to a wooden sign for three bridleways. Bear left here and climb to the ridge on an undefined path.

Over the ridge there is a tarn on the right, keep left of the tarn on a wide track which climbs on to the moor to Two Howes Rigg. Keeping the howes on your left continue straight on heading towards Simon Howe on the horizon.

At Simon Howe go right along a track for 50 yards then immediately sharp left on to a track through the heather. You will see some posts across the moor in the distance which will guide you past a sheep field on your way to Wardle Green.

The moor ends at Wardle Green crossing a beck and exiting through a gate then climbing a rocky ascent between the edge of the forest and a field. The route soon bears off to the right through a pair of old stone gateposts.

Cross a field to a gate then diagonally right to another gate, eventually exiting through yet another gate onto a forest road. Cross the forest road and ride straight ahead between the trees and a fence to the Forest Drive road and turn left on to the Forest Drive.

This part of the route is a multi-user track, look out for pedestrians and traffic. Follow the tarmac forest road all the way to Levisham Station. Be careful at the steep downhill at Raper's Farm picnic area and follow the road round to the right.

At the station cross the railway track then cycle steeply uphill at times to arrive at Levisham village for a swift pint at the Horseshoe Inn. Leave the pub and take the narrow road just a few yards further on to the right. Where the road finishes it becomes a track and a bridleway arrow points you to the right.

Shortly the track forks, take the right one then in 50 yards go right again to enjoy a good downhill, but beware, there is a gate at the bottom! Just a little further then do a 'u' turn to the left to join a narrow track over the field.

Eventually enter a wood and follow a mixture of bridleway arrows and signs for the Newtondale horse trail. Keep straight on to Farwath, bearing right through a gate and stream, cross the railway track with caution then right again over the bridge. Join a wide forest road now for an exhausting climb.

At the top where there is a sign for a broken castle and a bridleway crossing, take the bridleway to the right. Eventually the track becomes tarmac. At the road junction turn right passing through Newton on Rawcliffe. In one mile go left towards Cropton.

Keep on this road without deviating until you see the sign for the Roman camps near Cawthorne. After visiting the camps continue towards Cropton then turn right in about a mile going downhill at the sign for 'Sutherland Only'.

When the road ends keep straight ahead into the forest which is signed as a bridleway and continue climbing along the forest road following the blue waymarks. Where the road forks take the blue arrow along the right fork. Where the forest road meets another forest road at an angle go straight ahead crossing the road following a blue arrow on to a narrow track into the forest. This is a welcome diversion from forest roads, enjoy it!

Soon it is all over though and you rejoin the forest road following the blue bridleway arrow straight on. Ignore any left turns and keep following the arrows straight ahead. The forest road soon peters out and you start on a demanding narrow track along the edge of the forest where certain skills will be required. If you have mastered the last mile or so you will have arrived at a gate.

Go through the gate and climb straight ahead on to the moor. The track is undefined here but you will soon see a track in front of you when you crest the hill top. Head for the gate to start on a wide track snaking across Hamer Moor which you will see plainly in the distance.

Follow the track to meet the road in about two miles. Turn right the shortly left and in about two miles turn right for Glaisdale.

FACT FILE

Distance: 33 miles (53 km) approx.

Grading: Moderate

Off Road: 75 per cent

Start/Grid Ref: Goathland GR838013

Map: OS Landranger OS Outdoor Leisure North York Moors No 27 Eastern Area. Alternative OS Landranger 94.

Refreshments: Pub at Levisham, pub and caf at Newton on Rawcliffe.

Reference Book: Beadle's Bash - 100-mile challenge route for Mountain Bikers by J Brian Beadle published by Trailblazer at £1.80 available from book shops, cafes, cycle shops, Dalby Forest Visitor Centre and Tourist Information Centres.