Perched atop bleak moorland in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Fleet Moss links Wharfedale to Wensleydale via the highest paved road in the county, a favorite among cyclists chasing elevation gain.
The climb
From Hawes, at around 241 m elevation, the road climbs for 6.2 km to the top at 588 m, gaining 347 m at an average of 5.6%. The uneven gradient stiffens noticeably in the final kilometer, with sections locally exceeding 20%, before a bleak, wind-swept plateau.
How to approach the ride
The road, narrow and single-track in places, crosses treeless moorland where sheep roam freely: it pays to stay alert and keep something in reserve for the steepest ramps near the top, often underestimated given the modest final altitude.
When to go
April to October, as the moor is exposed to wind and sometimes snow-covered in winter. Summer offers the best conditions, with the moorland turning purple with heather late in the season.
Good to know
Hawes, a small market town in Wensleydale known for its cheese, has all the shops you’d need before setting off. From the summit, the road continues toward Oughtershaw and Hubberholme on the Wharfedale side, making it easy to build a full loop through two of the Dales’ most iconic valleys.
