The best gravel rides around Leeds

Leeds offers a wide selection of gravel biking routes, with over 70 trails documented on komoot. These routes cater to various skill levels, including 16 easy, 37 moderate, and 17 difficult options, ensuring there's something for every rider.

Gravel biking in Leeds features a diverse mix of terrains. You'll encounter quiet backroads, bridleways, wide open trails, undulating grassy paths, and dirt tracks. Routes can range from gentle canal-side gravel paths to more technical, rocky, and muddy sections, especially as you venture into the wider Yorkshire countryside.

Yes, Leeds has several options suitable for families. Routes along canal towpaths and river valleys, such as sections of the River Aire, often provide flatter, more accessible surfaces. While specific 'easy' routes are available, always check the route details for distance and elevation to ensure it matches your family's capabilities. For example, the area around Roundhay Park offers extensive green spaces and woodlands with varied paths that can be adapted for shorter, easier rides.

For a challenging gravel ride, consider routes like the Rothwell Greenway & the Aire & Calder Navigation loop from Leeds, which combines greenways with picturesque canal-side paths over 26 miles. Another difficult option is the Trans-Pennine Trail and St. Aidan's Loop, offering diverse scenery near Leeds, including tracks along the River Aire at St Aidan's RSPB Reserve.

Many gravel bike routes in Leeds are designed as loops, offering convenient circular rides. Examples include the Woodland Singletrack Trail – Nellie's Tree loop from Roundhay, which takes you through woodlands and green spaces, and the Lemonroyd Marina – Temple Newsam House loop from Leeds, a moderate 24.7-mile ride.

Leeds offers several scenic gravel routes. The wider Yorkshire countryside, accessible from Leeds, is known for its 'dramatic fells' and 'patchwork of dry stone walls and green fields', providing rewarding vistas. Routes around Otley Chevin offer expansive views, while areas like Roundhay Park and the historic estates of Temple Newsam and Harewood House provide attractive backdrops with natural beauty and cultural interest.

Many routes in and around Leeds pass through or near villages and towns where you can find pubs and cafes. While specific stops aren't listed for every route, popular areas like Roundhay Park, Temple Newsam, and routes along canal towpaths often have amenities nearby. Planning your route with komoot allows you to identify potential refreshment stops along the way.

Leeds gravel trails often pass through or near notable natural attractions. You can explore Local Nature Reserves like Breary Marsh and Kirkstall Valley, or cycle along the River Aire and Leeds/Liverpool canal towpaths. The RSPB St Aidan's Nature Reserve and Eccup Reservoir are also popular spots for wildlife observation and scenic views. Historic estates such as Temple Newsam and Harewood House also offer attractive backdrops.

The komoot community highly rates gravel biking in Leeds, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 80 reviews. Riders frequently praise the diverse terrain, from quiet backroads to challenging singletrack, and the scenic beauty of the river valleys, canal towpaths, and ancient woodlands. The variety of routes catering to different skill levels is also a common highlight.

Yes, the Rothwell Greenway & the Aire & Calder Navigation loop from Leeds is a prime example. This 26-mile route seamlessly blends greenways with picturesque canal-side paths, offering a varied and enjoyable gravel biking experience.

You can find routes that incorporate historic estates and large parks. For instance, the Lemonroyd Marina – Temple Newsam House loop from Leeds takes you near the grounds of Temple Newsam. Roundhay Park also features extensive green spaces, lakes, and woodlands with multiple gravel and dirt paths, making it an excellent location for rides.

Yes, several routes in the Leeds area feature reservoirs and lakes. The Eccup Reservoir Dam Wall – Woodland Singletrack Trail loop from Roundhay is a moderate 15.9-mile route that includes views of Eccup Reservoir. Additionally, the Newmillerdam Woods Trail – Cold Hiendley Reservoir loop from Leeds is a longer, more difficult option that passes by Cold Hiendley Reservoir.