[Closed] Grizedale Forest Trails - Green route and Whinlatter.

Is the Green Trail at Grizedale predominantly fire roads?

Entirely.

You can probably follow your nose at Whinlatter. The blue is pretty mellow, difficulty wise, with a 'short' version which knocks off a bit of the climbing, but just following the fire roads can give you a decent ride with a couple of nice viewpoints.

I think if you can all cope with a little climbing, you could detour off the fireroads at grizedale and head up the bridleway to the top of parkamoor for your picnic with a view. I think I'm right in saying it's not too technical for little ones (just steep for little legs in places)

The blue at whinlatter - short version - is a great family ride. It's a mix of singletrack and fireroad. Yes, it has some climbing and mellow berms on the descents. But if you can ride a forest fireroad you can also ride that I think. More interesting for kids as well.

Unless by family we mean babies and toddlers in bike seats, I'd choose the short blue over the fireroad grey at whinlatter every time.

Thanks all. Any idea of Greystoke forest is open to bikes?

Pretty sure I read on a previous thread on here that Greystoke forest isn’t open to bikes. A local should be able to confirm though.

Coniston lake shore and tilberthwaite is flatter than Grizedale

Langdale/elterwater from skelwith bridge as an out and back

West side of Windermere with a stop for a play at Wray castle also good for little uns

The stabilizer +1

Langdale valley and Windermere shore have more to see and do than forest tracks

I thought Whinlatter blue had some quite big berms but maybe on the longer bit

I'm also headed to the lakes with the family in tow, eldest is on a 1x10sp 20" so it sounds like the blue at Whinlatter is perfect. The twins are small and mighty keen but on 14's (cnocs) - should i give it a go with them or just take the eldest?

My six-year-old lad stacked it on the second berm at Whinlatter on his 20", but then he also stacked it into a bush on the first corner on the old Gisburn blue, and went OTB on a fire road at Hamsterley, so I'm not sure that's a good guide.

Personally I think Whinlatter blue is quite daunting for kids, not technically, but the first section is on quite a steep downward hill side and there is a reasonable amount of climbing

For some kids it will be fine, for others who are just used to riding around a park, or disused railway etc it could be a challenge

Sandwich Junior found the Whinlatter blue a bit challenging on the first singletrack section just after the start. Just to be clear he's an adult but has little MTB experience your children may find it a hoot but may also be put off for life. 14 Inch wheels shouldn't be a problem as it's quite smooth (for singletrack).

Thanks all, sounds like the twins would probably baulk at the descents and I can't tow 3 kids up the climbs so will just try the big one to start with. I think the 5yo should be able to give it a go if she's fueled up on cake.