Take the green route to Rufforth
Today’s #NatureTime idea for a daily exercise outing comes from Ruth Jennaway of Edible York. Ruth rode out west from York last weekend down a fairly new greenway to the rural village of Rufforth.
The green route from Knapton is free from traffic, and lined with countryside hedgerows starting to come to spring life! This means you can enjoy fresh air and the freedom of moving on a bike, while admiring fresh green hawthorn leaves and delicate blossom, and listening to cheery birdsong.
Ruth says:
“Walk or cycle on back roads to join new cycle/walk way through an underpass, and out to the village of Rufforth. It’s mostly a wide track with the chance to pass people at the appropriate distance.
1. Head to the village of Knapton on the western outskirts of York, maybe via Knapton Lane or Wetherby Road. You can see a York Cycle Route Map here https://www.itravelyork.info/uploads/York_Cycle_Map.pdf
2. Go past the pub and head North West towards the ring road.
3. Look for the wide drive on your left with the no through road sign, “New House Covert”. Picture above.
4.Take this and follow round to the right, past a field, and towards the walking/cycling underpass.
5. Go through the underpass and the path turns right and follows the road north, but nice with track next to fields and with a lovely line of hawthorn and blackthorn trees shielding you from the road.
6. After about 400m there is a gate with cycle space in it and then the path turns left, signed Rufforth. Picture above.
7. Follow this as it loops round the north of what used to be Harewood Whin, and finally arrives at a site tarmacked road.
8. Follow the sign off right towards the road and Rufforth.
9. You nearly meet the road and turn right to skirt along the nice new tarmacked path in the field, avoiding the road.
10. Path ends by some houses in Rufforth.
You can turn round here or, for a longer cycle, cross the main road and head south to Askham Richard, and then left to Askham Bryant and in towards Acomb.”
Many thanks to Ruth for this great route idea!
York Bike Belles 