Sutton Bank Short Blast Route Details

Located in the south east of the National Park, this ride is easily accessible from the west. Clifftop single track, a huge descent plus some interesting riding though the woods make this a ride which has a lot of variety in a short mileage. Don’t under estimate how long this will take, as the hills will really slow you down. The ride passes along the top of the cliffs near Sutton Bank before diving down through the woods, and returning to the start past Gormire lake. Don’t under estimate how long this will take, as the massive climbs plus hard riding will slow you down. The ride is a great after work summer evening outing, as it’s easily accessible from Thirsk, York and surrounding towns.

It can be muddy across the fields, but will remain rideable, with care. in all weathers. Beware the slippery mud along the ridge. Tyres choice will depend on the season, but in winter a tyre which works well in mud is recommended.

The route is short, but if you wished to make it longer you could include some of the Cleveland Way route to add in as many miles as you felt capable of. You can skip the road climb up the A171, if you headed to the road which climbs to the top near the White Horse of Kilburn.

There are no special hazards to be aware of, although the technical nature of the descent and the steep climbs makes this unsuitable to complete beginners. The last road climb on Sutton Bank is unpleasant when there is heavy traffic. 

Park at the pay and display at the National Park Centre at the top of Sutton Bank.

The first part of the Cleveland way is a footpath and not a legal route, so you’ll need to follow the minor road north towards Dialstone farm. At the farm, turn left on a farm track and head west until you arrive at the edge of the hill.

Turn right and follow the BW north, along the top of the slope. The path is enjoyable, rolling single-track, but watch your speed, as there are high cliffs on the left. One mile after joining the Cleveland way, just as the path starts to climb; look for a rough, over-grown BW dropping down on the left to a wood. Make sure you take the right path, as there are actually two BWs leaving the Cleveland Way here; you need the one which heads NNW, not the one heading west. Follow the BW into the wood. The first part of the track is muddy and boggy in all but the driest of conditions, but as the descent becomes steeper it also becomes drier.

When you reach a junction with a track at the edge of the wood, stay on the BW which carries on due west and downhill. There are lots of different tracks in the woods here, so make sure you follow the way-marked BW. After descending though a field, the path goes back into the wood and arrives at a junction with another BW by a stone wall. Take the left hand fork and descend still further, to arrive at the gate by Greendale farm.

Turn right, pass through the field by the farm, and join the concrete farm track which descends again. The track then climbs briefly toward Tang Hall. At SE 495 840, just before the cottage, a BW heads to the left across the fields. Follow this over the field, along a fence line and then eventually, downhill toward a large manor house. The BW is in the process of being diverted around the grounds of the Southwoods Hall, so follow the way markings along the field boundary, past the gates of the manor house and over a small bridge.

Just after the bridge, look for a BW way mark on a gate, on the left hand side of the track, as the BW goes due south into the woods. Don’t follow the tarmac road as it curves to the right. Then follow the BW as it heads upwards into the trees. After a third of a mile, you will arrive at a gate, by a small cottage at SE 501 837. After the gate, turn sharply left and go up the track for 100 feet, until you see a path turning right. Don’t carry on any further up the track, as this takes you up the top again. Then follow the BW which runs along the shore of the lake. There can be a lot of walkers here but the riding is very good. Then follow the BW as it heads away from the lake, and up to a gate at the edge of the woods. Follow the BW down to Gormire farm. Pass the farm and head down the farm drive, all the way to the A 171.

Turn right on the A 171 and proceed west for half a mile. At SE 499 824 you will see a farm track turning sharply to the left from the main road. Turn left and follow the track towards Hood farm. Just before the farm, go though the small gate on the right. The BW then crosses a field, and a small stream. After the footbridge, turn left and follow the edge of the field. Keeping on the edge of the field; follow the fence as it turns right towards the woods. Go though the woods on a narrow path for 200 feet until you meet a forest track. Turn left on the forest track and head up hill. After a third of a mile on this track, look for a BW way mark and a path turning left at SE 507 814. Make sure you haven’t confused this path with a forestry track on the same side at the bottom of a brief downhill. If you want to miss out the A 171, instead carry on along the BW until it reaches the road which climbs passes the White Horse of Kilburn, and on to the visitor centre. l.

Turn left on to the BW, and follow the grassy path as it as it climbs up the side of the hill. The track ends at the A 171, on the last zig-zag before the top of Sutton Bank. Turn right on the A 171, and head up the hill. The road can be busy and traffic uncomfortably close. After 200 vertical feet of climb and ¼ of a mile of road you will reach the top of the hill. You can then turn left to the visitor centre car park.