Introduction
The route runs through the eastern end of the Howardian Hills, before crossing the river Derwent and climbing up to the western edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. In the right conditions this is a fine route for inexperienced riders, as there's nothing too technical. Navigation in some parts can be tricky, with some bridleways poorly marked.
Conditions
Very muddy in winter, and at it's best in dry summer conditions. Nettles can be problem in summer. In muddy conditions this is really not suitable for inexperienced riders, due to the extra time and effort of riding muddy bridleways.
Alternatives
There are a few places where you can skip some difficulties. If you wanted to extend the ride you can link the route to the Castle Howard loop to add extra distance.
The route
Park in Whitwell-on-the-Hill, which is just off the A64. Head north until just before the road joins the A64, you will see a track to the right. Take the gravel track north west, and follow it until you reach a minor road at SE 713 677. Turn right onto the road and head north until you come to a cross roads. Take right again, and head toward Welburn. Pass through Welburn until a 1/4 of a mile after the village you will find a bridleway on the left. Turn onto the bridleway and head north east until the bridleway heads north, away from the footpath.
Follow the bridleway north towards the woods and then descend into the wood on some nice wooded singletrack. In the woods turn right at the junction with a footpath, and climb to the west out of the woods. At the junction with another bridleway in the field, turn right and head towards the woods again. Go down into the woods, and cross the river, before climbing a steep muddy path to the edge of the woods. Carry on in the same direction until you reach a tarmac road. Turn right on the road and head down towards Low Gaterley farm. Pass by the farm and climb the gravel track, heading east. Stay on the track and ignore the BW to the right. The BW whic heads south at High Gaterley is not well marked and is not recommended, so you'll need to carry on east to Westerdale. After Westerdale Farm head south on the well surfaced track until you reach the A64.
Take great care of traffic on the A64, as it's a fast and busy road. Turn right and head along the A64 for 1/4 of a mile, until you see a waymarked BW on the left. Pass through several gates and head along the edge of the wood on a gravel track. Then head down towards Huttons Ambo on a sunken lane between two hedges. When you reach the road, turn right, and then down through the village. Take the road marked at a dead end, and pass under the railway, until you see a suspension bridge on your right.
Cross the suspension bridge, and turn right. After 30 yards you will come to a road. Turn right onto the road and head east, until after 1/4 of a mile you will see a BW on the right. Join the BW and head west on a grassy BW. At the road, turn right and then left onto the continuation of the BW. Cross a further small road and carry on past some horse jumps until you reach Thornethorpe Farm at SE 890 675. Pass through the farm yard and head south over a field. The green lane is a legal right of way, but is poorly marked. After you leave the south eastern corner of the field, the green lane becomes overgrown and full of nettles. Fortunalty this doesn't last for long, and after 300 yards you'll reach a gravel track. Turn right onto this track and then turn right again when you reach the road in Langton.
Head west from Langton on the road until you reach a junction at SE 786 668. Turn left and climb up the hill. When the road forks, take the left fork, and carry on to the hamlet at Kenneythorpe. Turn right on the marked BW and pass through the edge of the farm until you reach a road. Turn left on the road and follow the road towards the church on the hill. Look for a BW on the left, just before a road junction. Follow the BW along the egde of the field towards the church on the hill. Pass the church and head down to the village of Burythorpe. If you don't feel like a big climb, stay on the road and follow signposts to Leavening. You can also cut out the two BW sections by just staying on the road to Leavening from the fork in the road that was just mentioned.
Look for a track heading down, just as the road through the village turns sharply right. Follow the track briefly downhill, and then start the long climb up to Leavening Brow. After a while the surface becomes more grassy and the hill steeper, so you'll probably end up walking. At the top of the hill, you'll join a meet a road. Turn right and head down the steep hill into Leavening. Pass through Leavening and carry straight on, following signs for Howsham at the junction in the village. A half mile after the village, at the top of a slight climb look for a gravel track to the right, opposite the sign for Clifton Farm. At the time of writing, the BW was not signposted. Head down hill on through the woods then between hedges until you reach the road at SE 787 645. Turn right on the road briefly, and then turn left onto the road signposted with Westow Low Grange. Climb past the farm, and then carry on climbing in the narrow track between hedges. Eventually you will start to descend, to arrive in the pretty village of Westow. Turn left and pass through the village, and then turn right towards the pub.
Pass the pub and then turn left at the road sign posted for Kirkham Abbey. Look for a track on the right after 100 yards. Take this track along the hedge, and then down a green lane until you arrive at the road opposite the turn Firby at SE 746 661. Turn left on the road, and head west toward Kirkham Abbey. The road will descend steeply until you arrive at a T junction. Turn right at the junction and head down the hill past the abbey, and over the bridge, then the railway. Climb up the steep but short hill until you reach a junction. Carry straight on, disregarding the sign pointing left to Whitwell-on-the-Hill. Cross the A64 at the gap, taking care to look out for fast moving traffic, and then head to the Whitwell-on-the-Hill and the end of the ride.