North York Moors
Dalby Forest offers several different riding days within one forest: a short shared path near Low Dalby, an easier tour across the plateau, flowing singletrack and a demanding cross-country circuit. The useful decision is where to start and how much riding you want to commit to. Not every route leaves from the visitor centre. Pick a route first, then choose the parking and hire arrangements that fit it.
The published colours need to be read alongside each route’s description. Jubilee Blue includes a particularly steep descent near its finish, while the black World Cup course is much shorter than the full red route. Length therefore tells you something about the scale of a ride, not its technical suitability. Mixed groups can use the easier routes for a shared outing and reserve technical riding for a separate session, rather than discovering halfway round that a colour means different things to different people.
Easy access · 2.8 km short / 4.5 km long
A shared route following the beck through the Low Dalby valley. It is mostly flat with a steady incline towards the end. Expect walkers, dogs and people using mobility aids as well as cyclists; leave room for everyone.
Official route information →Green · 12.9 km short / 19.3 km long
A plateau tour starting at Dixon’s Hollow beside Adderstone Field. The longer option reaches Crosscliff Wood viewpoint and Jerry Noddle. Its Givendale Head road section means this is not an entirely traffic-free family circuit.
Official route information →Blue · 11 km
Starts in Low Dalby’s central courtyard and heads through Snever Dale and Flax Dale. Flowing berms are part of the appeal, but the very steep zigzag descent towards the end deserves a measured first approach.
Official route information →Red · 34.3 km
A substantial cross-country outing with technical climbing and descending. It climbs from Low Dalby towards Adderstone and Crosscliff Viewpoint, then returns through the forest. Plan for the full circuit’s effort, not only its enjoyable singletrack sections.
Official route information →Black · 6.4 km
An expert course starting at Adderstone Field and finishing at Dixon’s Hollow. Steep climbs and descents, including Medusa’s Drop, make this a physically demanding ride despite its relatively short distance. Parts overlap the red network.
Official route information →The visitor map locates the main arrival facilities. Choose the cycling route and its start separately: not every Dalby ride departs from the visitor centre.
For children learning to cycle, or anyone wanting a modest shared outing, begin with Ellerburn rather than treating every green route as interchangeable. Its short option keeps the initial commitment small. Riders ready for a longer tour can consider Adderstone, but account for its start at Dixon’s Hollow and the road section. Discuss your bike and route choices together with the Cycle Hub.
If you already ride blue singletrack confidently, Jubilee is a useful first visit, provided its steep finishing descent is within your ability. Leave time to inspect unfamiliar features rather than using another rider’s speed as a guide. Fit, technically confident riders can plan the full red circuit or investigate the separately published red routes, including Newclose Rigg and Jerry Noddle. Buy a trail map at the visitor centre and understand those choices before leaving: a shorter named red ride can be a more deliberate plan than improvising an escape from the long circuit.
Dalby Forest is in the North York Moors near Thornton-le-Dale and Pickering, North Yorkshire. The visitor centre is at Low Dalby, postcode YO18 7LT. Follow the brown signs from the A169 Pickering–Whitby road. Official directions →
Use YO18 7LT for Low Dalby and follow the brown signs from the A169 between Pickering and Whitby. Parking uses ANPR and payment on exit. The published car charges are £3.50 up to one hour, £6.50 up to two, £9.50 up to three, £12.50 up to four and £15 for longer visits.
Forestry England offers free admission to visitors arriving by bicycle or public transport and links to Good Journey for planning. Check the complete connection to your chosen start, especially if you are arranging hire at Low Dalby but riding from Dixon’s Hollow.
Find the planning area on a map →Dalby Forest Cycle Hub offers hire, workshop support and coaching, including hardtails, full-suspension bikes, children’s equipment and adapted assisted cycles. Agree the route and equipment when booking.
The forest has a café, bike wash, toilets and visitor centre. Changing Places provision and accessible toilets help make a mixed group’s day easier to organise. The cycle skills area is near Low Dalby along Ellerburn, with loops spanning green to red difficulty. Use it to practise at the appropriate level, and keep the shared approach considerate. Agree where non-riding companions will spend their time before separating for a longer ride.
Dalby Forest Cycle Hub is the on-site hire provider at Low Dalby Courtyard. Its fleet includes mountain bikes, e-bikes, children’s bikes, trailers and adapted assisted cycles; reserve the equipment that suits your chosen route. Hire collection and return hours are separate from the forest gate hours; confirm your booking time with the Hub.
The forest opens daily, 8am–8pm. The visitor centre opens 9.30am–5pm from March to October and 9am–4pm from November to February; it closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, with Christmas Eve hours of 9am–noon. Car parking is £3.50 up to one hour, £6.50 up to two, £9.50 up to three, £12.50 up to four and £15 over four hours, paid on exit through ANPR.
The forest publishes daily access from 8am to 8pm, while the visitor centre closes earlier and changes hours with the season. For a winter visit, put the longer riding first and leave a generous margin for returning equipment. Roots, rock and steep descents warrant slower judgement when wet; a familiar route ridden carefully can be a better choice than a first attempt at the World Cup course. On warmer days, allow the long red route to set the pace of your whole visit, including stops and the drive home.
Pickering is a useful place to finish the day with a proper meal. The White Swan Inn is in Market Place and publishes lunch and dinner menus using seasonal dishes and local ingredients where possible. Check the menu and reserve around your riding plan rather than assuming a late return will fit food service. For groups choosing different routes, arranging dinner in town gives everyone a clear reunion point after their own pace of riding.
Dalby’s contemporary art offers a non-riding outing within the forest. Forestry England lists installations including Rachel Whiteread’s Nissen Hut and provides information about works placed throughout the landscape. Ask at the visitor centre which pieces suit the time and access needs of your group. Some are close to walking or cycling tracks, so approach with care and do not climb on them.
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Displayed distances are straight-line estimates using OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), not road journeys. Ask the property about secure bike storage and wet-kit arrangements before booking.
RIDE PREPARATION
Consider what suits the route, forecast and your own experience.
Jubilee Blue: It is an intermediate singletrack route with small root and rock obstacles, and Forestry England specifically warns about its very steep finishing descent. Choose Ellerburn or an appropriate Adderstone option if that terrain is beyond your group. Adderstone: No. Its published start is Dixon’s Hollow car park beside Adderstone Field. Obtain a map and plan that start separately from any hire collection or meeting arrangement in Low Dalby. The black route: No. The 6.4-kilometre World Cup course is graded black and described as expert, with demanding climbs and descents. The longer red circuit adds endurance demands; neither distance nor colour alone describes the whole challenge.
The Cycle Hub lists adapted assisted cycles. Contact it about the rider’s requirements and availability, then choose an appropriate route; Ellerburn is the forest’s published easy-access, shared-use option.
Yes. Forestry England says trail maps are available to buy at the visitor centre. Allow time for that stop before travelling to a different trail start, and keep the route information available throughout the ride.
Car-free admission is free. Cars pay parking charges; Forestry England national and Dalby Forest members park free. A drive through completed within 30 minutes is free, not free day parking.
Forestry England lists the on-site provider as Dalby Forest Cycle Hub, at Low Dalby Courtyard. Reserve your bike before travelling.
Middleton, Leeds
North York Moors edge
North York Moors
Washburn Valley, North Yorkshire
North Sheffield, South Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
Choose manageable family trails, fit children’s bikes, pace the day, assess clubs and coaches, and make a separate safe plan for dogs.
Plan adaptive equipment, useful access checks, communication and supportive women’s rides around the individual rider and the complete trail visit.
Build a compatible ride toolkit, handle limited puncture and chain repairs, and recognise when walking or recovery is the safe choice.
Trail conditions change — check the official page before you travel.
Open official site →