With the Tour de France coming to Craven this weekend, cycling is enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment.

So, to help cyclists make the most of the beautiful countryside, Craven District Council has produced a series of free cycling guides, offering rides of between five and 15 miles.

And, this route – which starts in Skipton and takes in Bradley, Kildwick, Cononley and Carleton – is ideal for beginners and families as the first part goes along the canal towpath and the second part is along quiet country roads.

FACT FILE

Start: Cavendish Street car park, Skipton
Distance: 16 kilometres
Going: Moderate
Map: Ordnance Survey: Landranger 103 & 104
Facilities/ Refreshments: Plenty in Skipton and along the route Please respect the countryside and private land.

Anyone embarking on these rides does so at their own risk and neither the Craven Herald nor Craven District Council can take no responsibility for the complete accuracy of the route.

Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advised that anyone planning to follow the ride should take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: skipton ride map

STEP BY STEP

  • From Cavendish car park, exit on to the canal towpath and turn right and travel south along the canal.
  • Take care as there is a low bridge with a narrow path. Also watch out for oncoming walkers or cyclists.
     
  • You will cross the road going into the village of Bradley, continue in a southerly direction along the canal for three kilometres.
     
  • You will arrive in Kildwick, and cross the swing bridge and turn right on to Main Street, travel down this road and go through the tunnel.
     
  • Keep going along Main Street past the White Lion pub, cross the river. There is a bridleway on your right – turn on to this.
     
  • Travel along the bridleway under the main road to avoid the roundabout. Turn right on to Station Road and stay on this road for 0.6km.
     
  • Just before the T junction, turn right on to Park Road. Stay on this road for 0.8km as it climbs up out of Glusburn.
     
  • Turn right on to Cononley Road and stay on this road for two kilometres.
     
  • At the T junction in Cononley, turn left onto Main Street, stay on this road for 0.25km, bearing left onto Skipton Road and follow this undulating road for four kilometres to Skipton.
     
  • Turn right at T junction with Carleton Road and follow this to the traffic lights by Tesco garage. Turn left on to Keighley Road, to the next lights and then left along Craven Street, past Tesco on your left.
     
  • Turn right back into the Cavendish Street car park.

For more information, visit cravendc.gov.uk/cycleguides.