Way of the Roses

Way of the Roses
A typical Way of the Roses sign showing the red and white roses, a direction arrow and route number
Length170 mi (270 km)
LocationLancashire & Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Established2010
DesignationNCN routes
TrailheadsMorecambe (west)
54°04′16″N 2°52′34″W / 54.0710°N 2.8760°W / 54.0710; -2.8760 (The Way of the Roses (Morecambe terminus))
Bridlington (east)
54°05′33″N 0°10′38″W / 54.0924°N 0.1772°W / 54.0924; -0.1772 (The Way of the Roses (Bridlington terminus))
Usecycling
pedestrians
Highest pointGreenhow, 1,325 ft (404 m)
Waymark
SurfaceVaries from on-road, to traffic-free tarmac, compacted surface and cinder track
WebsiteGuide to the Way of the Roses
Trail map
Map of the Way of the Roses cycle route
Way of the Roses
 69 to N
0
start
Morecambe
River Lune
 6 to N & S
4
Lancaster
River Lune
River Lune
26
Clapham
27
end of  69
 68 to N
35
Settle
 68 to S
44
 688 start
Burnsall
River Wharfe
Appletreewick
River Nidd
62
Pateley Bridge
Brimham Rocks
 67 to S
Fountains Abbey &
Studley Royal Park
77
Ripon
87
Boroughbridge
River Ouse
97
end of  688
 65 to N
Beningbrough Hall
 65 to S
108
 658 start
108
York
River Foss
110
end of  658
 66 to S
River Derwent
119
Stamford Bridge
127
Pocklington
 66 to S at
126
start of  164
Millington
133
 167 to N
Huggate
143
end of  164
 1 to S
146
Hutton Cranswick
151
Driffield
Bridlington
170
end
 1 to N

The Way of the Roses is a coast-to-coast long-distance cycle route of Great Britain and is based on minor roads, disused railway lines and specially constructed cycle paths. It lies entirely within the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, crossing the Yorkshire Dales and the Yorkshire Wolds in the North of England, passing through the historic cities of Lancaster, Ripon and York and scenic towns and villages including Settle and Pateley Bridge

At 170 miles (270 km) long, the route is designed for the whole range of cyclists, from families to cycling club riders. Although a challenge with some hard climbs, the highest point being over 1,312 feet (400 m), the route is steadily increasing in popularity and is fully open and signed.

The route is named after the Wars of the Roses, a 15th-century war between the English dynastic families Lancaster and York.