Swale Trail

The Swale Trail is a marked, point to point mountain bike route running up Swaledale from Reeth to Keld. Plan on about 21 km / 13.3 miles one way, which is the practical measured distance; the park's rounded figure of 20 km / 12 miles is also commonly used, and it describes the same ride rather than a different one. An official GPX is available if you like to load the line before you set off.

The riding builds as you go: the lower half is relaxed valley riding, while the upper half gives the better views, the old mining ground and the more demanding riding.

• Leave Reeth and pick up quiet lanes and stone tracks near the valley bottom.
• Follow the River Swale on the easier run through to Gunnerside.
• Continue on the tougher upper section toward Keld, with harder climbs, lead mining remains, hay meadows and field barns.
• Finish with a short steep river crossing at Keld.

Moderate overall. Reeth to Gunnerside is the easier stretch and mainly traffic free, suitable for reasonably fit riders on a mountain bike. Gunnerside to Keld is the harder blue grade half, with challenging climbs and the short steep river crossing at Keld that some riders sensibly walk. Allow about 3 hours for an ordinary rider once you factor in the climbs, route finding and stops.

A mixture of unsurfaced tracks and quiet tarmac lanes, with roughly 70% unsurfaced. Expect stone tracks and uneven ground, especially above Gunnerside, and treat the steep river crossing near Keld as a spot where pushing is a fair choice.

The route is signed and follows an established line up the dale, and a map or GPS is useful if you prefer to keep track of where you are. It is a multi user route shared with walkers, horse riders, other cyclists and occasional farm vehicles, so ride at a speed that lets you stop, give way on narrow tracks, and pass horses slowly and quietly.

Reeth village is the primary start, with parking around the village green. Keld has parking, a cafe and toilets, but since the ride is one way you need a return plan, whether that is a shuttle, a lift, or riding back. Gunnerside sits roughly midway and makes a natural break between the two halves.

Dogs are welcome on this multi user public route. They must be kept under close control at all times, and on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July for ground nesting birds, as well as around livestock and other trail users.