Buy the OS Route Map and instructions for this route

Classics come in all shapes and sizes and there’ll be a few purists who will consider this one just a little too road-heavy to make the grade. But in our eyes it’s one of the finest ancient road-style moorland crossings in the country.
Add to that the austere beauty of the Bowland Fells and we’d be doing you a disservice by not flagging it up every now and again.
The backbone of the route is a 12km winding, rubble-strewn moorland track — originally a Roman road — that cuts through some drop-dead gorgeous northern scenery. This is the section that just has to be ridden.
It’s a matter of debate as to which is the best way of completing this route. If the prospect of a bit of tarmac-based hacking doesn’t bring you out in hives — it’s scenic, quiet and very fast in places — then climb steeply up to the Cross of Greet and enjoy a serious freewheel most of the way back to Wray. Trust us, it’s well worth it.
If your allergy to asphalt just won’t permit you to undertake this route, stop for lunch in Slaidburn, where there’s an excellent cafe and pub, and then turn tail to return the way you came. It’ll feel like a whole different ride in the opposite direction.