Cawood to York cycle route?

I don't think there is a direct bike path from Cawood, but the Solar System route runs from Riccall into York. I rode part of it at the weekend and it was newly surfaced. It is part of Route 65 of the National Cycle Network.

Correct, there's no cycle route from Cawood itself. Best thing to do is go over the bridge on the B1222 then join NCN65 at either Riccall here or a bit further up near Escrick here.

The first option is a little longer but NCN65 is nice from Riccall and the road that way if you turn right off the B1222 is a little bit quieter than going over towards Escrick.

It's been quite a few years since I rode it but it's the old railway line, it's tarmac, there was a few places where the tree roots had grown under and pushed the tarmac up but that might have been repaired. I used to do it as my commute on a road bike with no issues.

It's a really nice route to get into York, once you get near York you can either drop off back onto the B1222 just after Naburn and go in through Fulford (if you ride fast you can hold one deep breath when passing the sewerage treatment plant!) or carry on through Bishopthorpe and across the racecourse then drop onto the path up the river into town.

Oh and if you're looking for somewhere to eat, the Ryther Arms certainly used to be really good when I lived out that way.

Or if you are off road capable you can join here just outside Stillingfleet off the B1222 & miss out the hill climb towards Escrick.
Here

Or if you are off road capable you can join here just outside Stillingfleet off the B1222 & miss out the hill climb towards Escrick.

There's a "hill" near Escrick?

Thought it was a bridge!

Thanks all, that's brilliant advice. I'm staying at the Castle Inn campsite, while daughter is at Leeds festival.

I've sent you some routes in messages

As others have said, the Solar System Sustrans route from Riccall is what you want to be aiming for. Nice, traffic free pootle directly into York. Reading the note above, is sounds like its fully open now as they've been resurfacing the section near Naburn for a while. The section near Skeldergate Bridge is now also open so you can come through Bishopthorpe, take a right straight after the A64 bridge with the jump things underneath, around the bottom of the racecourse, up towards the grandstand and Terrys, over Bishy Road and onto the river. Then either route into town is open - either cross Millenium Bridge and down the Fulford side or continue along the Bishy Road side.

@ivnickkate I live pretty close to where you are staying. Shout up if you want more ride guidance or even fancy a meetup for a trundle out somewhere. Not sure what bike your on but lots nearby to suit a gravel bike, lanes, farm tracks, quiet roads etc...