Cycling Routes in East Yorkshire: The Best Rides From Coast to Wolds
East Yorkshire is one of England's most underrated cycling destinations. The region offers an extraordinary range of riding — from dead-flat traffic-free trails perfect for families, to lung-busting chalk hill climbs that test seasoned road cyclists, to coastal routes with North Sea views that stay with you long after the ride is over. Whether you are looking for gentle bike rides near Hull or serious cycle routes across the Yorkshire Wolds, this guide covers the best cycling routes in East Yorkshire for every ability.
Hornsea Rail Trail
The Perfect Family Cycling Route in East Yorkshire
Distance: 15 miles one way (Hull to Hornsea) | Difficulty: Easy | Surface: Tarmac and compacted gravel
The Hornsea Rail Trail follows the trackbed of the former Hull to Hornsea railway line, closed by Beeching in 1964. Today it is one of the finest traffic-free cycling paths in the region and comfortably the best family cycling route in East Yorkshire.
The trail begins on the eastern edge of Hull and runs through open Holderness countryside to the seaside town of Hornsea, passing through the villages of Swine, Skirlaugh, and Sigglesthorne. The surface is generally good — mostly tarmac with some compacted gravel sections — and the gradient is virtually flat throughout, as you would expect from a former railway.
Start point: The Hull end begins near Sutton, accessible from the A1165. There is limited parking at several access points along the route. The Hornsea end finishes near the seafront.
Parking: Free car parks at Hornsea (Mereside) and various access points. Street parking at the Hull end.
Cafe stops: Hornsea has several cafes and fish and chip shops near the seafront. The Mere Cafe at Hornsea Mere is a pleasant stop just off the trail. Mid-route options are limited, so carry water and snacks.
Good to know: The trail is shared with walkers, so keep your speed sensible. It can get muddy in the gravel sections after heavy rain. Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours for the full one-way ride at a leisurely pace. The return journey doubles the distance to 30 miles, which is a solid day out for families — consider riding one way and arranging a pick-up if cycling with younger children.
Hudson Way: Beverley to Market Weighton
A Scenic Former Railway Through the Western Wolds
Distance: 11 miles one way | Difficulty: Easy | Surface: Compacted gravel and earth
The Hudson Way is another former railway turned cycle path, running from Beverley to Market Weighton through some of the prettiest countryside in East Yorkshire. Named after George Hudson, the Victorian "Railway King," the route passes through Cherry Burton, Etton, Kiplingcotes, and Goodmanham before arriving at Market Weighton.
The terrain is gently rolling rather than completely flat — there are subtle gradients where the old line crossed the Wolds foothills — but nothing that will trouble any reasonably fit cyclist. The surface is compacted earth and gravel, best suited to hybrid or mountain bikes rather than skinny road tyres.
Start point: Beverley end starts near the Armstrong Way industrial estate, just off the A164. Market Weighton end is accessed from Londesborough Road.
Parking: Free parking at both ends. The Beverley end has a small car park. Market Weighton has town centre parking.
Cafe stops: The Light Dragoon pub at Etton sits right on the trail and serves excellent food and coffee. Goodmanham, near the Market Weighton end, has the Goodmanham Arms. Beverley and Market Weighton both have plenty of cafe options.
Good to know: This route connects with the Wolds Way walking trail at several points. The section through Kiplingcotes passes near the start line of the Kiplingcotes Derby, considered the oldest horse race in England, run annually since 1519. The surface can be soft and muddy in winter — spring through autumn is best.
Trans Pennine Trail: Hull Section
Flat Cycling Routes From Hull to the Humber
Distance: Various (Hull to Hessle foreshore is approximately 7 miles) | Difficulty: Easy | Surface: Tarmac and compacted paths
The Trans Pennine Trail passes through Hull on its cross-country route from Hornsea to Southport, and the Hull section offers several flat, accessible rides perfect for beginners and families. The most popular stretch runs from Hull city centre westward along the Humber foreshore to Hessle, passing beneath the Humber Bridge — one of the most iconic landmarks in East Yorkshire.
This riverside route is almost entirely flat and largely traffic-free, making it one of the best flat cycling routes from Hull. The views across the Humber estuary are expansive, and on clear days you can see across to Lincolnshire.
Start point: Various access points across Hull. The western end at Hessle Foreshore has good parking.
Parking: Hessle Foreshore car park, or Hull city centre car parks.
Cafe stops: The Country Park Inn near Hessle Foreshore. Cafes at Hessle. Hull Marina has several waterside options.
Good to know: The path is busy with walkers, joggers, and other cyclists, particularly on weekends. Keep your speed down and use your bell. The section under the Humber Bridge is a great photo opportunity.
Yorkshire Wolds Hill Routes
Challenging Road Cycling in East Yorkshire
Distance: 40-70 miles depending on route | Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging | Surface: Road
For road cyclists seeking a challenge, the Yorkshire Wolds deliver some of the finest hill riding in eastern England. The chalk hills rise to over 200 metres in places, and the narrow lanes that thread between the valleys offer a succession of sharp climbs and swooping descents.
The Classic Wolds Loop
A popular route starts in Beverley, heading north through Bishop Burton and Cherry Burton before climbing into the Wolds at Middleton-on-the-Wolds. From there, the road rolls through Huggate — the highest village in the Wolds — before dropping into Thixendale and climbing again to Fridaythorpe. The return via Wetwang and Driffield completes a circuit of approximately 60 miles with around 900 metres of climbing.
Garrowby Hill
The A166 climb over Garrowby Hill between Stamford Bridge and Fridaythorpe is one of the most famous hill climbs in Yorkshire. The gradient tops out at around 15% near the summit, and the views from the top — where a large cross marks one of the highest points in the Wolds — are extraordinary. Road cyclists often incorporate Garrowby Hill into longer loops through the western Wolds.
Millington Pastures and Huggate
The lanes around Millington and Huggate offer some of the steepest and most dramatic cycling in the Wolds. The climb out of Millington Dale is a proper test, and the roads through the dry valleys to Huggate are as beautiful as they are demanding.
Start points: Beverley, Pocklington, or Driffield all make excellent bases for Wolds road cycling. Market Weighton and Stamford Bridge offer access to the western Wolds.
Cafe stops: The Wolds Inn at Huggate, the Triton Inn at Sledmere, and cafes in Pocklington and Driffield. The Light Dragoon at Etton is a favourite post-ride stop.
Good to know: Wolds roads are generally quiet but can be narrow, with limited visibility around bends. Farm vehicles are common, especially during harvest. Carry sufficient food and water — there are long stretches between villages with no services. Wind exposure on the hilltops can be significant, particularly from the east.
Holderness Flat Rides
Easy Cycling Through East Yorkshire's Coastal Plain
Distance: 20-40 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Surface: Road
The Holderness plain stretching east of Hull to the coast is pancake-flat agricultural land, crisscrossed by quiet lanes that are ideal for cyclists who prefer their rides without hills. The landscape is open and expansive — big skies, drainage ditches, and fields stretching to the horizon.
A pleasant loop runs from Hull east through Bilton, Burton Constable (where the Elizabethan Burton Constable Hall makes a worthwhile detour), and Sproatley, before continuing to Withernsea or looping back through Hedon. These roads carry very little traffic, and the flat terrain means you can cover ground quickly.
Start point: East Hull or Hedon.
Parking: Hedon town centre or Withernsea seafront.
Cafe stops: Burton Constable Hall has a tearoom. Hedon has several cafes. Withernsea seafront has seasonal options.
Good to know: The Holderness landscape is exposed and flat, which means headwinds can be fierce, particularly from the east. Plan your route so that the prevailing wind is behind you on the return leg. The roads are generally well-surfaced but can flood in low-lying sections after heavy rain.
Coast Route: Bridlington to Filey
Seaside Cycling With Dramatic Cliff Views
Distance: 18 miles one way | Difficulty: Moderate | Surface: Road and clifftop path
This stunning coastal ride runs north from Bridlington along the clifftops to Flamborough Head before continuing to Bempton Cliffs and on to Filey. It combines road cycling with sections of coastal path and offers some of the most dramatic scenery in East Yorkshire.
The route out of Bridlington climbs to Flamborough village before heading to the headland, where the chalk cliffs drop sheer to the sea. From Flamborough, quiet lanes lead to Bempton, where the RSPB reserve hosts one of the largest seabird colonies in England — between April and August, over half a million birds nest on the cliffs, including puffins, gannets, and guillemots.
From Bempton, the route continues north along lanes and tracks to Filey, crossing into North Yorkshire for the final stretch. The riding is moderately hilly with some sharp climbs on the clifftop sections.
Start point: Bridlington seafront or harbour.
Parking: Bridlington has several town centre car parks. Filey has seafront parking.
Cafe stops: Bridlington has numerous options. The café at RSPB Bempton Cliffs is excellent. Filey has seafront cafes.
Good to know: The clifftop sections can be exposed and windy. Some sections between Flamborough and Bempton follow tracks rather than roads — a hybrid or gravel bike is ideal. This is a wonderful one-way ride if you can arrange a pick-up or take the train back (Filey and Bridlington are both on the Yorkshire Coast line).
Hull City Cycle Network
Urban Bike Rides Near Hull
Distance: Various | Difficulty: Easy | Surface: Tarmac
Hull has invested significantly in its cycling infrastructure in recent years, and the city now has a comprehensive network of cycle lanes and paths. For urban riders, the network connects the city centre to the university, the Avenues, Pearson Park, East Park, and the retail parks — making cycling a practical daily transport option as well as a leisure activity.
Key routes include the path along Holderness Road, the Cottingham Road corridor, and the waterfront path along the River Hull. Hull is famously flat, making it one of the easiest cities in England to cycle around.
Good to know: Hull operates a bike-sharing scheme, and cycle parking is widely available in the city centre. The city's flat terrain and relatively compact size make it genuinely practical to cycle everywhere.
Essential Information for Cycling in East Yorkshire
Bike Hire and Shops
Several cycle shops in Hull, Beverley, and Driffield offer hire bikes and can advise on local routes. Cafe Velo in Beverley is a cycling-themed cafe that serves as an informal hub for the local riding community.
When to Ride
East Yorkshire cycling is best from April to October. Summer offers long evenings and warm weather, but the trails and roads can be busier. Spring and autumn bring quieter roads, beautiful light, and the Wolds at their most atmospheric. Winter riding is possible but the exposed Wolds and Holderness plain can be bitterly cold and windy.
Safety and Kit
Carry lights even on daytime rides — the Wolds lanes can be dark in tree-lined sections. A puncture repair kit is essential, as bike shops are few and far between in rural areas. Hi-vis clothing is strongly recommended on the narrow Wolds roads, where hedges can obscure riders from drivers.
Maps and Navigation
OS Explorer maps 293, 294, 295, and 301 cover the main cycling areas. The Sustrans website has detailed route guides for the Hornsea Rail Trail, Hudson Way, and Trans Pennine Trail. A GPS device or smartphone with offline maps is useful for navigating the maze of Wolds lanes.
Whether you are a family looking for a gentle ride along a traffic-free trail, a road cyclist hungry for Wolds hills, or a casual rider wanting to explore the coast, East Yorkshire has a cycling route to match. The quiet lanes, stunning landscapes, and excellent pub stops make this one of the most rewarding — and least crowded — cycling regions in England.