Wetherby to Bramhope (anti-clockwise)
- Easy riding - with a few hills
- Rail access - none
- Other access - we've cycled through Roundhay Park to the end of Waterloo Lake (the larger one), carried on up through the woods through the Gorge, to come out just above the traffic lights on the A6120 (Leeds Ring Road). Go straight ahead at the lights, up a (steep) hill; straight ahead at these lights too. Take the next left, and you join the WYCR as it goes down to Eccup Reservoir.
NB - since the the Gorge was "improved" in 2004, serious flooding made this route all but impassable; funding has recently been secured (January 2006) to "improve" the route again - and think about flooding this time (Duh!). - National Cycle Route connections - Routes 66 and 67.
- Wetherby - Sustrans National Cycle Network map for the start of this section (opens in a new window)
Route
The Cycle Route uses disused railway line to slip round the centre of Wetherby - you want to follow it round to the left, cross the A661 Wetherby-Harrogate road, and turn right then left on to the road to Linton.
Go straight through the village, down the hill, across the river, and into Collingham. Turn right on to the A659; you have a couple of miles of busy road, until you can turn left, through the villages of East Keswick and Wike. Carry on up the hill, until you reach some shops and a pub - turn right along this residential road. After about half a mile, take the side road to the right, through the golf course, and drop down towards the A61 Leeds-Harrogate Road. DANGER - the steep descent comes out on an extremely fast and busy road.
Cross the A61, and take the road opposite which descends to Eccup Reservoir; there are nasty speed bumps near the bottom! Cross the dam (look out for the Red Kites - magnificent birds), and follow the path round to the water treatment works. You are looking to turn left on to the access road to take you round the north side of the lake as far as Eccup village.
Turn right to go through the village, and then left. Then take the first side road to the right, as far as a staggered junction; take a left, and immediately another right. This takes you behind Golden Acre Park, down a hill to a roundabout on the A660 Leeds-Otley road.
Take the Otley exit, and follow the main road (busy) for about half a mile, when you bear left along Breary Lane, and through the village centre.
On to IlkleyDiversions
- As you climb up from Wike village, if it's a clear day, look behind you - if you're in luck, you'll see the Kilburn White Horse carved into the Hambleton Hills beyond Thirsk!
- Instead of following the water treatment works access road round the north of Eccup Reservoir, there is a bridleway which leads through Harewood Estate, passing the set for Emmerdale Farm.
- Golden Acre Park is one of the best looked after parks in Leeds. Always worth a detour for whatever is in season - my favourite times are winter for the migrant water birds and May for the rhododendrons.