Bransdale High and Dry Loop Route Details

The route is in the central section of the National Park, in some of the most remote and deserted parts of the moors. It follows part of another route, the ‘Gilamoor Loop’, including two technical descents. Unlike many moorland routes, there are a lot of use of well surfaced gravel tracks, which makes this particularly suitable for winter. Despite the comparatively short distance, the descents and large climbs make this unsuitable for the inexperienced. The valley is normally very quiet, except during the daffodil season, when the roads and car-parks can become very busy especially on weekends.

Mostly gravel tracks which stay relatively mud free all year although the descents can be muddy in places. 

If you don’t mind pushing your bike up a big hill, stay on the west side of Farndale and climb the BW at NZ 633 008 to reach Rudland Rigg near Bloworth Crossing. The path gets lost in the heather towards the top and this is a lot slower than the main route, although the green lane at the top of Farndale is good to ride. Alternatively follow the first part of the ‘Farndale Loop’ until you reach the old railway at NZ 644 008, and follow the railway west to Bloworth Crossing. For much longer outing, combine the first half of the ‘Farndale Loop’ with this route to make a really epic day out.

 The remote upland nature of the route means you need to be appropriately equipped for a day on the hills, especially in winter. There are no shops, cafes or pubs so you will need to carry everything you need. Don’t attempt this route in winter unless you are familiar with epic rides in winter conditions.

Park in the small car park at SE672 952 and head to the north west up the hill. The road gradually climbs along the side of the valley. Pass the road to the right which heads steeply downhill, and shortly afterwards, on the left is a gated track with a red arrow on a wooden sign. Follow this track up hill. The climb is very steep but easy enough to ride. After ¼ of a mile of really steep climbing, the gradient eases and you’ll reach a cross roads on the moors with an obvious gravel road.

Turn right and head northwards on this track which is an Old Drovers’ Road. This is a very old track and was used for moving cattle to market before there were roads in the valleys. Carry on up the track for nearly 3 miles until you reach Bloworth Crossing. You will then come to a crossing with a slightly elevated track that used to be an old railway over the moors. Turn left onto the old railway and head west for ¼ a mile until you see a sign for the Cleveland way to the left. Go down the rock armoured path until after a short peaky bit you meet a gravel track.

Turn left on the gravel track and climb towards the summit. Although fairly boring to ride, there are some great views out over the northern part of the park, and in clear weather, to the Yorkshire Dales. In more typical weather just be thankful for the well drained mud free surface. Shortly after the summit you should see a track forking to the left. Follow this track downhill towards the valley you see in front of you. Just before you start to drop into the valley, the track turns left (strictly speaking you should carry on still further to the muddy BW which runs along the top of the slope). Carry on south along the well surfaced track, which becomes a little more rocky in places.

After a mile, the track will turn uphill to a junction. To confirm this is the right place, look for a stone wall to the right, as there are several other tracks heading across the moor. Go right at the junction to carry on along the top of the hill, and carry on south for a further 0.2 of a mile, until the track turns left. Take the left hand track and head east over the moors. After a ¼ of a mile on the flat the track will start to descend. Follow the track down into the steep valley (in drier conditions there are other smaller and boggy track you may wish to try – as the BW and the track differ slightly in places). After reaching the bridge in the valley bottom, climb up the steep zig-zags and back out onto the moors. Staying on the main track, continue for a mile and a half, until you reach a junction with a track which joins on the right. Shortly after this junction, look for the stump of a moorland cross at SE 607 981. Then take the BW on the left which is marked with piles of stones.

The BW is at first very narrow, but gets slightly wider, but a lot more technical as it heads downhill. Follow the BW down the very steep hill to cross a minor road and over a boggy bit to reach a further minor road. The BW resumes at the gate on the opposite side of the road to the north of the farm. Go through the gate, and head across fields through a few gates to cross the stream at Bransdale Mill.

At Bransdale Mill, pass through the farm yard and take the BW which heads uphill along a rough concrete driveway. You will join a road in the elbow of a bend, and need to turn right and steeply uphill. After ¼ of a mile look for a farm track climbing away from the road to the left opposite Cow Sike Farm (don’t confuse with the BW just before that).

Climb steadily onto the moors in a SE direction passing by several other tracks and paths which cross the moors, until 1.1 miles after leaving the road you meet the well used Old Drovers’ Road at the top of the climb you did right at the start. You’ll know it’s the Drovers road as you’ll have descended slightly and crossed a small stream before getting to it, the other track you can confuse it for is before the small stream and blocked by a barrier.

The next section is a real treat for those who like a technical downhill. Turn left and head south down the Old Drover’s Road for a third of a mile until a BW cross over the Drovers Road just before a line of grouse butts Turn left and follow the single track along the line of grouse butts, until the slope increases and a fine downhill section starts. Take care on as there are some rocky surfaces which might send you off the path and down one of the steep drops. The combination of narrow single track, fine views and tricky obstacles makes this one of the best descents in the moors.

Before you know it you will arrive at a gate. Go through the gate and descend to the left, until you reach a footbridge on the valley floor. Pick up the rocky farm track which descends along the valley and follow it until you reach Horn End Farm. Carry on past the farm and head down the gravel driveway until you reach the road, which you passed along earlier. Turn right and after a short downhill you will arrive back at the car-park in Low Mill.