Meandering to Cliffe Castle

We leave Hirst Lock and pass through Saltaire to get to the top of Moorhead and then drop down to join Lee Lane in Cottingley which takes us round Wilsden and into Harecroft. We take the Great Northern Railway Trail across Hewenden and Cullingworth viaducts before passing through Cullingworth Village and climbing up to the Guide Inn. This takes us to the aforementioned Hainworth and the cobbled section into Keighley where we duck and dive through quiet streets to get to Cliffe Castle for a well deserved break. Duly refreshed we again duck and dive through Keighley and head up to Long Lee before dropping down towards Harden but divert through St Ives Estate and through Bingley where we pick up the canal at Dowley Gap for the short stage back to the start.

Shortish but hilly ride heading westwards from Hirst Wood across the moorlands and then down into Keighley via Hewenden and Cullingworth viaducts, avoiding the centre before stopping at Cliffe Castle for our coffee stop. We climb out of Keighley and then go through St Ives Estate in Harden before joining the canal at Dowley Gap before a short ride back to Hirst Lock.

Most of the route is on public roads that are a mixture of urban and semi-rural. There is a cobbled downhill section from Hainworth into Keighley so make sure everything is fastened tight and your brakes are in good order. There are traffic free sections in Cliffe Castle, St Ives, Great Northern Railway Trail and on the canal.

Cliffe Castle which has indoor and outdoor seating in a lovely setting with all the conveniences you would expect.

All the usual for a safe ride and dealing with what the weather does plus a spare inner tube as a minimum. Do make sure your bike is in good order as the cobbles, while very settled, will cause vibration.

We never leave anyone behind