Scenic North Yorkshire tracks — Sutton Bank MTB trails

While there may be a fair bit of pedalling involved, the mountain biking routes from Sutton Bank reward with some of the best views of any trail centre in England. From the family-friendly green Cliff Trail to more adventurous days out on the Paradise Trail, Sutton Bank National Park Centre is the starting point for a great range of Tours for cross country riders.

There are five routes to choose from, with the green Cliff Trail being the shortest and least technical. You have two options on the blue Fort Trail, with the shorter and extended loops measuring 6.2 miles (9.9 km) and 9.7 miles (15.8 km) respectively.

If you’d like to stay up on the top of Sutton Bank but are looking for a little more distance, try the Drovers Trail, which visits the excellent High Paradise Farm tearooms and takes in more moorland tracks. For the longest challenge, with more technical aspects and a drop off Sutton Bank down to Boltby village and a climb back up, opt for the red Paradise Trail.

At the trail centre you’ll find plentiful pay and display parking, the superb Park Life cafe, public toilets, the excellent Sutton Bank Bikes shop and hire centre, a visitor centre with information and a gift shop, and a skills area. Unlike many trail centres, the routes follow many bridleways and a few lanes, so be aware that you’re likely to find riders coming in the opposite direction, as well as other trail users such as horse riders and walkers.

While the clue may be in the name of these sorts of trails, you don’t necessarily need a mountain bike to ride here. The non-technical Drovers Trail is excellent on a gravel bike or sturdy hybrid, as is the Cliff Trail and most of the Fort Trail. Meanwhile, a few more technical sections on the Paradise Trail and Fort Trail extension ideally warrant a mountain bike.

It’s best to be prepared for all conditions, but do try and pick a good weather day for your visit if possible. Not only can it be pretty exposed up on the hillside, but you don’t want to miss out on those far-reaching views! On a clear day, you can see right the way over to the Yorkshire Dales, which is a real treat.