Gouthwaite

About trip

Start and finish Pateley Bridge. There are two main car parks here both well 

signposted. SE157655 

Distance 21km (12 miles) 

Toilets Pateley Bridge town centre car park 

Pubs and cafes Pateley Bridge, Wath, Ramsgill 

Nearest train station Harrogate but it’s a long way off 

This is a good introductory route to Dales mountain biking using minor roads and good 

stone tracks. It takes you along the side of Gouthwaite reservoir, famous for its bird life, 

on a track and back down the other side on tarmac. A more technical section through 

some old mine workings then returns you to good stone tracks back to Pateley. 

ROUTE DESCRIPTION 

1. Take the road out of Pateley Bridge signposted for Wath. 

2. In Wath as the road bends left, turn right on to farm track which climbs steeply up 

through trees. As you exit the trees take the left hand farm road and follow this 

obvious track for 4km alongside Gouthaite reservoir to reach Bouthwaite. 

3. Turn left at the road, cross over the river and meet another road. Turn left on this 

road and head through Ramsgill and continue on this road back alongside 

Gouthwaite reservoir. 

4. Go past the turning for Wath, and then 1km later take the right turn signed 

'Heathfield' just before you reach the Bridge Inn. After 100m turn left signed 

'Heathfield Caravan Park'. Follow this small road up the valley through a series of 

caravan parks. Eventually it turns into a good stone track. 

5. Shortly after a gate there is a prominent fingerpost for the 'Nidderdale Way' on the 

left. You are now heading into the technical section - take care! Descend to a bridge 

over a stream. Opposite you are the old mine workings which the route zig zags 

through. At the top of the workings take the obvious track uphill. Go through a wall 

gap, keep on the track and then right at a track junction. Descend to swing right 

over a bridge, continue on and swing left over the next bridge. You are now on 

tarmac. Go up a short climb and then a long swoop back to Patelely. Get ready to 

brake as the main road has a habit of looming up. Turn left back to town.