At the Sleightholme end there is a gate and a sign suggesting that it is "unsuitable for motors", though one will often enough find Landrovers and quadbikes at work up here. The gate occurs at the bottom of a steep ascent, which did indeed challenge tyres, with slippery (and occasionally loose) stones when I first visited, but this bit has now been metalled, making it an easy enough ascent on a mountain bike and probably no real trouble in a car, if not icy. The track itself, once up on the moor, is exposed, and potholed, but nowhere else steep. The Arkengarthdale end not only has no advisory sign, but is signposted to Bowes as if an ordinary road. (
NY9207 : Major junction). As a quick route from Bowes for a pint in the Tan Hill Inn, it is very handy, and the return is very quick, even on a bike. I only went off the edge of the road once, honest, officer !