Barden Moor “The Valley of the Wild Boar” is essentially a short section of classic track that’s simply a must for anybody visiting the Yorkshire Dales. Its fast (if you want it to be) with some superb downhill sections and equally tough climbing. Most of the route is on hard quarry stone bottom chippings, so apart from some singletrack at the top, there are few problems with mud.

The views from the top of Barden Moor on a clear day (or evening) are quite simply amazing, on one side Simon’s Seat and Bolton Abbey, the other towards Hetton, Winterburn and Sharphaw. Its a top route for shorter after work evening type rides, with a guaranteed adrenalin rush.

We explore Barden Fell as part of a number of longer rides on this website. But it stands alone as a short classic evening trail. You have to come back on yourself on the same track but the trail rides so differently in each direction it’s barely noticeable.

Terrain: Steep bridleway, some singletrack, very little mud! FAST!!

Start Point:  SD 9715 5821 GPS – N 54 01.195 W 2 02.698 Right of the B6265 Grassington Road from Skipton. There is parking for a couple of cars. Failing that 250 yards down the road you can park at Rylstone (next to the duck pond).

• Another idiot proof route once you find the start point, Follow the Bridleway only sign (just before Rylstone village on your right),
• Turn at the second left towards Rylstone cross.
• What follows is a climb from hell, but it’s achievable, certainly up to the first gate, which is a good rest point for the views into Lancashire, Aire Valley and Upper Wharfedale.
• Continue through the gate. If you have the energy once at the summit, drag your bike to Rylstone Cross, or lock it up and walk. The views are simply amazing.
• Once at the top, it’s now a fast freewheel all the way down the other side of the hill. Once you hit a tarmac junction, take in Queen Victoria’s favourite view, and turn back the way you came.
• Its a steady climb with a fast downhill back into Rylstone to look forward to.
• If you don’t finish with a serious adrenaline rush, you weren’t going fast enough.

It’s not much harder to start this route from Skipton town centre, following Grassington Road. Maybe starting with a couple of Stanford’s famous pork pies? superb on a good day.

Or world beating (probably) fish and chips at Skiptons best kept secret, the Westmoreland Fish & chip shop (on Westmoreland Street)

Nearest pub on the route is the Elm Tree at Embsay on one side, or the The Angel Inn at Hetton on the other.

There’s also a post office in Embsay village for basic provisions. Nearest place for hot food is Skipton town centre (4.2 mile from start point).

The Wooly Sheep beer garden, Skipton high Street is a pretty good place for early evening beer.