Highland Cows of Thixendale – Castle Howard Obelisk loop from Flaxton

Road cycling routes

United Kingdom

England

Yorkshire And The Humber

North Yorkshire

Ryedale

Flaxton

Highland Cows of Thixendale – Castle Howard Obelisk loop from Flaxton

Moderate

riders

Highland Cows of Thixendale – Castle Howard Obelisk loop from Flaxton

03:38

78.9km

880m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 21, 2026

Tips

The surface for a segment of your route may not be suitable

Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.

After 77.8 km for 51 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

13.6 km

Scenic Steep Climb

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

Very steep climb that comes out of nowhere!

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15.0 km

View of the Vale of Pickering from Leavening Brow

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An absolutely gorgeous view across the Vale of Pickering to the Howardian Hills and on to the North York Moors and on a good day even the Pennines.

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15.6 km

Aldro Plantation

Forest

17.9 km

Water Dale

Highlight • Viewpoint

Water Dale is a beautiful place to ride in either direction. Downhill towards Thixendale or up towards Leavening.

The road winds along right at the base of the deep sided …

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19.2 km

Highland Cows of Thixendale

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Lovely highland cows with big hair and horns.

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24.7 km

Winding Road Through the Yorkshire Wolds

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You really feel as though you a re 'in the Wolds' as you cycle along this road. A high chalky bank to the south west, and rolling hills everywhere else. It is a beautifully quiet and calm place to pedal.

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34.9 km

Cherry Wood

Forest

49.0 km

View from Settrington Beacon

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From high up at Settrington Beacon you can enjoy wide views both across the Vale of Pickering towards the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Wolds.

A beacon originally stood …

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67.5 km

Obelisk Ponds

Lake

67.9 km

Castle Howard Obelisk

Highlight • Monument

The Obelisk, raised in 1714-15, carries two sets of inscriptions. The first, in Latin, commemorates the victories of the 1st Duke of Marlborough. The second, on the west side is …

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68.8 km

The Stray, Castle Howard Obelisk and Carrmire Gate

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This is a fun, perfectly straight, but lumpy road that leads to Castle Howard, through the Carrmire Gate House and past the towering obelisk, a monument to the victories of …

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78.9 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

76.9 km

1.15 km

931 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

72.5 km