Quad bikes are the classic all terrain vehicle. Combining power and speed with stability and versatility, rough and rugged landscapes are their natural home - and you’ll find plenty of these in North Yorkshire. Woodland, rock, moor and mud are no challenge for quad bikes, in fact they make the experience of travelling from A to B all the more enjoyable. Challenge yourself to conquer this landscape by planning your experience in this region today!

With four wheels, intuitive driving style and built-in safety features, ATV's are an excellent entry point into the world of powersports. What’s more, a driving licence is not required to ride a quad bike off road, so this activity is open to all residents and visitors - some centres even have options for children as young as 6. For veteran riders, there are challenging trails on the wild Yorkshire Moors and surrounding areas that will put experienced riders' skills to the test. There’s the perfect choice for everyone, and it might be cheaper than you think too.

Where are the best places to go quad biking in North Yorkshire?

• Kirklington: the Camp Hill Estate offers luxury glamping for a comfortable outdoor retreat, but the 250 acres of woodland, meadows and hills are also home to fantastic dirt tracks. These are ideal for quad bike trekking, offering expansive views of the countryside all around. In Kirklington, even the youngest thrill seekers can get involved as the minimum age is just 6 years old, and The centre has three sizes of bikes for all guests.

• Thirsk: the outdoor centre in Thirsk has 30 years of experience raising the heart rates of adrenaline seekers, so you know that its quad bike track is one of the best around. Here your experience will be tailored to your group with a dedicated guide to show you the basics and choose the perfect route around the track. And the fun doesn’t stop at the end of the track: activity packages are also on offer with a combination of this activity with clay pigeon shooting. Get the best value for money outdoor experience in Thirsk. One more thing - repeat visits are encouraged as the tracks are constantly being revised and improved to give you new challenges.

• Rufforth: just 4 miles from the historic city of York you can find one of the best quad bike trekking experiences around. After warming up on a figure of eight track your experienced guide will show the bogs, obstacles and mini-mountain range that make up this trekking route. All the bikes, Kymco and Quadzilla brands, have automatic gearboxes so that you can focus on navigating the tricky terrain. If scrambling up slopes and speeding down hills sounds like your idea of fun, this is the place for you!

• Richmond: on the fringes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is a mecca for adrenaline junkies. As well as quad bike trekking, the perfect group experience is found here - a team game session which includes obstacle courses, competitive challenges and even the quad bike limbo. It’s the best option for a corporate away day, birthday party or stag/hen do. The adventure activities centre in Richmond might look familiar to fans of classic game show the Krypton Factor, and that’s because it is home to the obstacle course featured in the show. Deals are available that combine this activity with the chance to attempt this challenge, or with a high ropes course. Lunch is also included!

• Tadcaster: peaceful woods surround the village of Tadcaster. Shatter the silence by tearing through the forest on a powerful quad bike! There are two woodland tracks of varying difficulty to experience, as well as obstacles such as a bridge and balance beams. You have your choice of two types to take on the challenge, including powerful CFORCE 450cc models.

• Skipton: one of the biggest, muddiest quad biking tracks is found in Skipton, Southwest Yorkshire. Climb on one of their Suzuki quad bikes and tear up the 160 acre site, all under the supervision of experienced guides. With a minimum age of 6 years old, this is a perfect choice for families, especially as the course is on the same site as a working farm complete with animals and a play barn.

Requirements to do this activity

Quad bike rides for children as young as 6 years old can be found in North Yorkshire, though some centres don’t cater for the youngest riders. This is because a full size quad bike is designed for adults, so the minimum age depends on the availability of specially designed bikes for children.

In general, they have an upper weight limit of 20 stone, or 127 kg. This is partly based on the effect on the power and suspension of the bike, but also the suitability of safety equipment offered at the various centres around.

How long does an experience last?

North Yorkshire is the biggest county in England and there are a variety of quad bike activities on offer to explore the landscape. For those with busy schedules, rides as short as 20 minutes are available. These are suited for younger children or first-timers who want a taste of the action. At the other end of the scale are 2 hour treks, which will let you take in the views as well as challenge you on different types of terrain. Longer experiences usually include different types of activity to warm up on the bike and experience the range of capabilities that they have.

Some places in the area offer this experience alongside other outdoor activities such as obstacle courses, shooting, ropes courses and more. These combination programmes can give you a full day experience in the great outdoors to make the most out of your time.

What should you bring the day of the activity?

While the activity centre will provide you with safety equipment including a helmet and overalls, it’s important to bring the right equipment. Walking boots are a good choice to protect your feet from vegetacion, mud and puddles or trainers as long as you don’t mind them getting dirty. We also recommend that you don’t wear your nicest outfit, as the overalls might not protect you from every splash.

Don’t forget sunscreen as much of the experience will take place in the open. In colder months we recommend gloves and other warm clothes. If in doubt, bring too much with you and your guide will be able to advise you on what to wear.

That’s all the information you need to enjoy this exciting activity, have a look at the options we offer and make your booking!