National Cycle Network The National Cycle Network (NCN) is the national cycling route network of the United Kingdom, which was established to encourage cycling and walking throughout Britain, as well as for the purposes of bicycle touring. It was created by the cha ...

(NCN) Route 657 is a loop of the

White Rose cycle route The White Rose Cycle Route in Yorkshire, England, part of the National Cycle Network (NCN), was opened by Sustrans in 1998. It linked Middlesbrough with the City of Kingston upon Hull via the North York Moors, the Vale of York, the Yorkshire Wo ...

, NCN 65. It branches off the main route to connect the town of

Thirsk Thirsk is a market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England known for its racecourse; quirky yarnbomber displays, and depiction as local author James Herriot's fictional Darrowby. History Archeological ...

to the National Cycle Network. Prior to 2009 the route had been signed as part of NCN 65. The combination of NCN 657 and a section of NCN 65 creates a circular route from Thirsk to Kirkby Knowle to

Coxwold Coxwold is a village and civil parish in the Hambleton District of North Yorkshire, England, in the North York Moors, North York Moors National Park. It is 18 miles north of York and is where the Rev. Laurence Sterne wrote ''A Sentimental Jour ...

to Easingwold and returning to Thirsk.

Route

The southern end of 657 is in

Easingwold Easingwold is a market town, electoral ward and civil parish in the Hambleton District in North Yorkshire, England. Historically, part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, it had a population of 4,233 at the 2001 census, increasing to 4,627 at t ...

. It branches off NCN 65 on the outskirts of the town in the direction of York. It takes an indirect route via quiet roads in the

Vale of York The Vale of York is an area of flat land in the northeast of England. The vale is a major agricultural area and serves as the main north–south transport corridor for Northern England. The Vale of York is often supposed to stretch from the R ...

to Thirsk. The path north out of Thirsk contains the routes only traffic free section, a dual use pavement alongside the A61. The northern section of NCN 657 from Thirsk to

Upsall Upsall is a hamlet in and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately four miles north-east of Thirsk. Upsall is part of the Upsall and Roxby estates owned by the Turton family. The populat ...

is made up of quiet country lanes though rolling countryside. The northern end of NCN 657 is in the village of Upsall. Here the route joins NCN 71, 8 miles south of

Northallerton Northallerton ( ) is a market town and civil parish in the Hambleton District of North Yorkshire, England. It lies in the Vale of Mowbray and at the northern end of the Vale of York. It had a population of 16,832 in the 2011 census, an increa ...

. The main route of the White Rose Cycle Route, NCN 65 is a mile (1.5 km) east of the end of NCN 657 along NCN 71 at

Kirby Knowle Kirby Knowle is a village and civil parish in Hambleton District of North Yorkshire, England, on the border of the North Yorkshire Moors and near Upsall, about 4 miles north-east of Thirsk. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, t ...

Thirsk railway station Thirsk railway station is on the East Coast Main Line and serves the town of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England. It is down the line from and is situated between to the south and to the north. Its three-letter station code is THI. The station ...

is approximately 1 mile from the route.

History

The route was created as part of the White Rose cycle route. It was signed as a branch of Route 65. The White Roses cycle route is no longer promoted and the signs have been updated by the addition of route 657 stickers.

Route

History

Related NCN routes

References

External links