This is basically the Tour of Ribblesdale route from the National Park's mtb the dales site but the other way round, which I think is much better. The climbs are a bit more suitable and the downhills more fun this way. It's got some great bits, but loses points for the long road sections. A good option when it's a bit damp out.

Start at the car park in Horton (SD807725), which has some toilets, or hop on the train to Horton station which is just across the river.

1. Turn left out of the car park and follow the main road until it turns left over the bridge - go straight on here, on a minor road (signed dead end). This'll be a left just over the bridge if you've come from the station. Follow this road, climbing steadily, until it ends at a farm where you continue through a gate and climb on a more roughly surfaced track. Keep straight on to the next gate (SD804773) and take the left track through it, which takes you along past a good pothole (over a stile on the right) and Ling Gill (a deep wooded gorge with rumbling stream).


2. The track gets very loose for a short climb after crossing the bridge above Ling Gill (SD803790) - probably push time! After this it's a solid but bumpy, almost like cobbles, surface to Cam End (SD801804). Turn left here, signed Dales Way only, and drop on a loose track towards Ribblehead Viaduct. You've got a choice of how to cross Gayle Beck (soon to become the Ribble) in the bottom, foot bridge or ford? The ford's well made and usually ok, but obviously not a good idea when the river's in flood, the foot bridge is a bit narrow for bikes so it's a nerve wracking carry if you opt for this.


3. Turn left onto the road at the end of the track, continuing towards the viaduct, then turn left onto the road back towards Horton just before it (SD765792). Follow this road through Selside and take the bridleway signed Clapham to the right just after an up hill left hand bend (SD787746) - the B&B sign makes it more obvious. Take the right fork, then the left on this track, which then becomes grassy with a firm limestone base as you climb. Keep straight on, following the markers, and across a footpath to Ingleborough.


4. Bear left at a marker stone (SD772724) with a no motor vehicles sign on the other side and descend on grassy track (this section is part of the Clapham: Long Scar route). Join a farm track, continue down hill then turn left (SD771706), cross a ford (or bridge) and the track becomes great walled single track - I like this bit! Arriving in Wharfe you can turn right if you want some more of that walled single track, or turn left to go more directly to the road. Turn left onto the road and follow to Helwith Bridge (SD812694) where a left turn gets you back on the road to Horton.

Any comments or suggestions about this route? Pop em in the forum where I'm sure others will be interested to read them.