Thorp Arch, a region in West Yorkshire near Wetherby, offers a setting for outdoor activities. The landscape features gently undulating countryside, transitioning between the Vale of York and the Pennine fringe, and is characterized by the Magnesian Limestone ridge. The River Wharfe meanders through the area, and disused railway lines have been repurposed into paths. This blend of features provides opportunities for several sports like road cycling, hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more.
93
Routes
4.7
(165)
Average rating
2511
People visited

4.7
(18)
100
hikers
8.58km
02:12
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.

5.0
(11)
94
hikers
5.67km
01:29
40m
40m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.

4.9
(8)
61
hikers
6.28km
01:38
50m
50m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.

4.1
(7)
19
hikers
11.1km
02:52
60m
60m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Already have an account?

4.8
(4)
30
riders
89.2km
03:37
260m
260m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.5
(13)
250
riders
40.8km
01:35
140m
140m
Easy road ride. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.5
(2)
119
riders
56.1km
02:15
260m
260m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
160
riders
103km
04:22
660m
660m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Already have an account?

4.7
(30)
126
riders
33.2km
02:09
290m
290m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.8
(5)
36
riders
49.1km
03:27
510m
510m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

7
riders
22.5km
01:24
150m
150m
Easy mountain bike ride.

4.0
(3)
11
riders
16.5km
01:01
130m
130m
Easy mountain bike ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Already have an account?

4.0
(5)
165
riders
37.4km
02:51
370m
370m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.9
(7)
41
riders
22.9km
01:23
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Mostly paved surfaces.

4.9
(8)
32
riders
15.7km
01:01
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Mostly paved surfaces.

4.0
(1)
24
riders
70.8km
04:09
390m
390m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Already have an account?

27
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

22
runners
7.06km
00:45
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

4.0
(1)
19
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

14
runners
10.4km
01:10
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Already have an account?

9
riders
51.5km
03:30
540m
540m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.6
(5)
37
riders
29.9km
02:01
290m
290m
Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(1)
4
riders
22.4km
01:28
300m
300m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
Thorp Arch offers a range of outdoor activities including Road cycling, Hiking, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features more than 30 routes for various skill levels. These routes have been explored by over 16,000 visitors.
Thorp Arch features more than 30 routes, which have been explored by over 16,000 visitors. These routes collectively hold an average rating of 4.41 out of 5 stars from more than 1,200 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Thorp Arch is well-suited for road cycling, with routes featuring paved surfaces and gently undulating landscapes. The old railway line path from Thorp Arch to Spofforth is a smooth, traffic-free bridleway suitable for road bikes. For more details, explore the Road Cycling Routes around Thorp Arch guide.
The area offers a network of accessible hiking trails, including picturesque riverside paths along the River Wharfe and scenic field paths. Popular routes include the Boston Spa loop, a moderate 5.3-mile (8.6 km) trail, and the 3.9-mile (6.3 km) Thorp Arch Bridge – Stone Viaduct loop. More information is available in the Hiking around Thorp Arch guide.
Yes, Thorp Arch offers mountain biking opportunities, particularly along the old railway line path from Thorp Arch to Spofforth. This 12-mile (19.3 km) route is a smooth, flat, and almost traffic-free bridleway. Consult the MTB Trails around Thorp Arch guide for specific routes.
Thorp Arch features the picturesque River Wharfe, which meanders through a wooded river gorge. The landscape is characterized by gently undulating countryside and lies on the Southern Magnesian Limestone ridge. Historic parkland with mature trees is also present in the region.
The old railway line path from Thorp Arch to Spofforth is a 12-mile (19.3 km) smooth, flat, and almost traffic-free bridleway. This route is part of National Cycle Network (NCN) routes 67 and 665, making it suitable for family cycling. Other routes cater to various skill levels.
Komoot offers several guides for Thorp Arch, including Road Cycling Routes around Thorp Arch, Hiking around Thorp Arch, and MTB Trails around Thorp Arch. Additional guides cover easy hikes, touring cycling, running, and gravel biking.
The cycling terrain in Thorp Arch is characterized by gently undulating countryside. Many routes feature paved surfaces, and the old railway line path offers a smooth, flat, and traffic-free experience. This diverse terrain accommodates different cycling preferences.
The historic Thorp Arch Bridge, dating back to 1770, spans the River Wharfe, linking Boston Spa with Thorp Arch. Disused railway lines, now repurposed into paths, also add a unique historical element to the landscape. Thorp Arch Hall features historic parkland.
For information related to the commercial Thorp Arch Estate, the official website is thorparchestate.co.uk. General inquiries for the Estate can be directed to +44 (0)1937 845919.

