Way of the Roses
273.4 km1734 m
Coast to coast
Way of the Roses Cycle Route
Morecambe to Bridlington, about 170 miles / 270 km, crossing England through the Forest of Bowland, Yorkshire Dales, York and the Wolds. A varied coast-to-coast ride with its biggest climbs in the west.
Recommendations
Bike
Road or hybrid
A gravel bike is fine if you like wider tyres.
Tyres
28/32
Narrower works in the dry. Wider is nicer on a loaded tour.
Experience
First tour
Three or four days is the usual split. Walk the steep bit out of Settle if you need to.
Route breakdown
0k -> 25km
Morecambe and the Lune
Coast to countryside+134 m up · 105 m down · 5–34 m
Start beside Morecambe Bay and enjoy the first sea views before the route turns inland along the Lune. The opening miles are a gentle way to settle into a multi-day ride, with wide views and flatter riding around the river. Morecambe is the obvious place for a final photograph and an early coffee, while Lancaster is close enough to become the first proper food stop.
25k -> 40km
Lancaster to the Bowland edge
Easy miles becoming lumpy+104 m up · 11 m down · 50–143 m
Lancaster gives you the best early resupply point, then the route begins to trade river valleys for smaller roads and bigger horizons. The scenery changes noticeably as you head toward the Forest of Bowland, with stone walls, farms and long views replacing the easy river riding. This is a good section to ride conservatively because the first serious climbing is still ahead.
40k -> 57km
Forest of Bowland and into the Dales
Climbing day begins+124 m up · 103 m down · 133–154 m
This is where the route starts to earn its coast-to-coast badge. The lanes rise into open moorland, the gaps between services grow, and weather can change quickly on the exposed sections. Fill bottles before the higher ground and treat the long climbs as steady efforts rather than one big push. Once you reach the Dales, the landscape becomes a succession of stone walls, green valleys and dramatic limestone hills.
57k -> 80km
Settle and the climb into the Dales
The first big test+289 m up · 239 m down · 180–230 m
Settle is one of the best places on the whole route to stop for a proper meal and take stock. The climb out of town on High Hill Lane is the section everyone remembers, with gradients around 20 percent on the steepest part. A low gear and a calm start make the difference, and plenty of riders end up walking a section before getting back on for the easier roads beyond. Once you crest the climb, the reward is a long run through classic Dales scenery.
80k -> 100km
Grassington, Burnsall and Greenhow
Big views, repeated climbs+240 m up · 329 m down · 230–141 m
The road through the Wharfe valley gives you some of the prettiest riding of the trip, then the route starts stacking up the climbing again around Burnsall and Greenhow. Greenhow is the highest point of the Way of the Roses at roughly 400 metres, so the effort feels significant after the earlier Dales work. The villages along the way are useful for tea, cake and a quieter reset before the long descent toward Pateley Bridge.
100k -> 124km
Pateley Bridge
Descend carefully, then breathe out+142 m up · 284 m down · 187–45 m
The descent into Pateley Bridge is steep and winding, and it is worth treating it as a technical section rather than a place to chase a top speed. Once you are in town, the mood changes completely. Pateley is a great stop for food, coffee and a look around before the route starts losing elevation for good. This is where the ride begins to feel more like a long eastward crossing than a mountain tour.
124k -> 175km
Ripon and the Vale of York
The legs get a break+61 m up · 68 m down · 26–19 m
Beyond Pateley, the route becomes noticeably friendlier. Ripon is an excellent place for lunch or an overnight stop, with the cathedral and market square making an easy meeting point. The roads are flatter, the climbs shorter and the pace usually lifts. This is the section where a good lunch and a steady turn of the pedals can make the final 100 km feel much closer than it looked on the map.
175k -> 204km
York and the road east
Fast, social miles+40 m up · 19 m down · 16–37 m
York is the big city reset. There is plenty of food, plenty to look at, and plenty of opportunities to spend longer than planned. Keep the route loaded and your navigation visible through the city, then settle back into open roads as you head east. The landscape feels different here, with broad agricultural views replacing the enclosed valleys of the Dales.
204k -> 243km
Pocklington and the Yorkshire Wolds
Rolling chalk country+125 m up · 174 m down · 63–14 m
The Yorkshire Wolds bring one final change of scenery. The roads roll rather than climb sharply, with long open stretches, big skies and surprisingly little shelter in a strong wind. Pocklington is a useful stop for a final café break before the last leg. This is where the ride starts to feel close to the sea, even when the North Sea itself is still out of sight.
243k -> 270km
Driffield to Bridlington
Keep the rhythm+71 m up · 72 m down · 28–27 m
Driffield is your last substantial town before the coast. From here the Wolds gradually flatten and the riding becomes about keeping a steady turn of the pedals all the way east. The final approach can feel longer than expected because the horizon stays wide and the sea can remain hidden until surprisingly late. Then the route turns toward Bridlington and the North Sea arrives all at once.
270km
Bridlington seafront
Coast to coast complete+3 m up · 17 m down · 22–8 m
Finish beside the harbour and seafront, where the transition from Lancashire to Yorkshire feels properly complete. The front wheel photo is deserved after 170 miles of hills, lanes, old railway paths and market towns. Bridlington has everything you need for the finish: food, cafés, the beach and direct rail connections for the trip home.
FAQ
How long is the Way of the Roses?
About 170 miles / 270 km between Morecambe and Bridlington on the main route. Published distances vary slightly with route versions and local diversions, so use the GPX distance as your final number.
How many days does it take?
Three days is a strong challenge at around 55 to 60 miles a day. Four days gives more time for the Dales and the Wolds.
Where are the hardest climbs?
The steep climb out of Settle is the first big test. The Dales around Burnsall and Greenhow contain the most sustained climbing, with Greenhow marking the highest point of the route.
Where are the best places to stop?
Lancaster is a strong first resupply, Settle is ideal before the main Dales climbing, Pateley Bridge is the standout mid-route town, and York gives you the biggest choice of food and accommodation on the eastern half.
Is it suitable for a road bike?
Yes. Riders regularly complete it on road bikes, including with 25 mm tyres in dry weather. Wider tyres become attractive for comfort and mixed surfaces, particularly on a loaded multi-day trip.
Do I need the signs as well as the GPX?
The route is well established and waymarked, and the GPX gives you a useful second layer through towns and at junctions where local paths or diversions can make the line less obvious.
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