Skipton to Kildwick (via the canal)

A perfect route for beginners and families that uses the canal tow path for the first half of the ride and quiet country roads for the second half of the ride.

The route at a glance

  • Distance: 10miles/16km
  • Approx time: 2 hours
  • Climb: 200m
  • Start and finish: Skipton
  • Parking: Skipton
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Must see

The display of cycling memorabilia at the Rendezvous Hotel (pictured)

Route points

From Cavendish Street car park exit onto the canal towpath and turn right and travel south along the canal. Take care as there is a low bridge with a narrow path, so it pays to look out for oncoming walkers or cyclists. Pop into the Rendezvous Hotel to see the displays of local cycling history.

Cross the road going into the village of Bradley and continue in a southerly direction along the canal for some 3km. There are bluebell woods in between Bradley and Kildwick.

Arrive in Kildwick, cross the swing bridge and turn right onto Main Street, going through the tunnel and past the White Lion pub. Cross the river where there is a bridleway on your right hand side, turn onto this.

Travel along the bridleway and under the main road to avoid the roundabout, then turn right onto Station Road (B6172) and stay on this road for less than 1km.

Just before the T-junction, turn right onto Park Road. Stay on this road for around 1km as it climbs up out of Glusburn.

Turn right onto Cononley Road and stay on this road for some 2km.

At the T-junction in Cononley, turn left onto Main Street, stay on this road for a few hundred metres, bearing left onto Skipton Road. Follow this undulating road for 4km to Skipton (along the way, the name changes to Woodside Lane).

At the next T-junction, turn right into Pale Lane, which later becomes Carleton Road.

Turn left onto Keighley Road, and continue to the next lights. Turn left along Craven Street, past Tesco on the left, then turn right down Cross Street and into Cavendish Street car park.