Way of the Roses

The Way of the Roses is a 170-mile cycle route from the west coast to the east coast of England. It starts in Morecambe and finishes in Bridlington.

This aims to be a complete guide to the Way of the Roses: map, route guide, videos, information about the places you pass through, and accommodation.

Maps | Route Guide | Videos | Places | Accommodation

Way of the Roses: Maps

This is a GPS map of the route of the Way of the Roses on Plotaroute.

The Maps page has more Way of the Roses maps: a link to the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust map, and the Ordnance Survey Landranger maps that cover the route.

See more Way of the Roses Maps.

Way of the Roses: Route Guide

A guide to the Way of the Roses with route notes and images, divided up into three stages.

Way of the Roses Route Guide: Stage One

Stage One of the Way of the Roses is 52 miles from Morecambe to Burnsall.

This stage is about 5 miles short of one third of the total distance of the Way of the Roses - but it's the hilliest part of the ride, so your pace is likely to be slower than on the other two stages.

Highlights of Stage One include Lancaster, just 3.5 miles into the ride.

There's a nice view at Crook of Lune, before some climbing up Halton Hill. Then go through Hornby and Wray before reaching Clapham after 27 miles.

After 35 miles, you come to Settle (35 miles).

Leaving Settle, you have to tackle one of the steepest hills on the route, High Hill Lane to High Side.

After going through Airton, Hetton and Cracoe, you get to Burnsall (52 miles).

Read the Way of the Roses Route Guide to Stage One.

Way of the Roses Route Guide: Stage Two

Stage Two of the Way of the Roses is 57 miles from Burnsall to York. It is about a third of the total distance of the route.

This stage begins with the long climb of Greenhow Hill.

The descent of Greenhow Hill takes you to Pateley Bridge (62 miles).

There are lots of other interesting places on the route - Brimham Rocks, Fountains Abbey, Studley Royal and Ripon (77.5 miles).

From Ripon, you pedal via Bishop Monkton, Boroughbridge and Beningbrough Hall to York (109 miles).

Read the Way of the Roses Route Guide to Stage Two.

Way of the Roses Route Guide: Stage Three

Stage Three of the Way of the Roses is 61 miles from York to Bridlington. It's the longest but flattest of the three stages.

Leave York on the Derwent Valley & Foss Islands Track to Osbaldwick, then continue to Dunnington where the cyclo-cross element of the ride starts.

Before Stamford Bridge (119 miles), you're back on tarmacked roads.

The roads are flat between Stamford Bridge and Pocklington (127 miles), then the Way of the Roses goes through the Yorkshire Wolds.

At the other side of the Wolds, go through Hutton Cranswick (146.5 miles) and reach Driffield (151 miles).

After Driffield, flat country roads take you over a lot of level crossings. The route goes through Harpham, past Burton Agnes Hall, and along Woldgate towards Bridlington.

The finish is on the Promenade at Bridlington.

Read the Way of the Roses Route Guide to Stage Three.