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I'm off to do a loop of the Lakes next week and have accommodation booked at Youth Hostels along the way. I've not really ridden over these fells, though I'm very familiar with them on foot, so my route planning is a big of a guess. Can anyone who's familiar with riding there have a look at my planned Strava routes and comment on their rideability? I'm happy with hike-a-bike and big days out in the mountains in all conditions, but you can't beat local knowledge.
First day is an evening scoot after arriving in Keswick to Skiddaw House:
https://www.strava.com/routes/21400658
Next day is from Skiddaw House to Grasmere YH via Helvellyn:
https://www.strava.com/routes/21400743
Then Grasmere to Black Sail YH:
https://www.strava.com/routes/20786565
Finally, back to Keswick:
https://www.strava.com/routes/19195287
We'll be riding full suspension bikes, carrying kit for mountain top conditions between hostels.
On the leg back to Keswick I'd take Gasgale Gillup to Coledale hause rather than carry up Whitless Pike. That would be a horrfic HaB.
Don't know how much kit you are carrying, but Grasmere to Black Sail is a bit of an evil day. Lots of road, including Hard Knott, you'll be pushing up the top section of Walna Scar and a fair bit of the Burnmoor Tarn route. You would be better off cruising up Langdale, accepting a single, nasty, HaB up Rossett Gill and then enjoying the fabulous high-level riding via Styhead Tarn to Wasdale.
It's worth being aware that the descent you've got earmarked from the top of Grizedale Pike is really bloody serious at the top- really good, but a very severe bit of trail. I'd not fancy it with a load of bikepacking bags but if you've got a backpack on it'll be fine if you're a handy rider.
If that doesn't sound like what you're after I'd go down Hobcarton, then round Whinlatter, then from the top of the South Trail head south west on a track that's obvious when you get there and leads you to the last bit of the ridge from Grizedale Pike to Braithwaite. That misses the really steep bit of the Pike and is one of the best trails in the country.
>lowey
I'll take that tip and go up Gasgale Gill instead - thanks.
>martinhutch
I did originally plan that route, but after walking down Rossett Gill the other day, I thought there's no way I want to drag a bike up here! However, if you say the Burnmoor Tarn and Walna Scar road are an absolute pain, I may well take your advice.
>munrobiker
I'll take your advice on going down Hobcarton instead of the Grizedale Pike ridge. I tried to plan from using heat maps in Strava to see what other people had done, and I see that is a more used route - cheers!
They're not too bad, it's just that all three of your biggest climbs will involve pushing or carries, with a lot of tarmac as well. But it's all down to personal preferences.
Maybe consider going over to Duddon via Broughton Forest from torver. The descent to Seathwaite is great and the whole thing is rideable You can also go over the back of Harter fell instead of hardknott . The climb is all on fire road from Birks.
I concur with martin above re Torver, Stephenson ground Seathwaite and harter fell Much better trip than Walna scar and hardknott that way round. If you were going East I’d say Walna is top.
And the pub in Seathwaite is great!
Theres some great advice on here as always, I was up Gaisgill beck last weekend, Lots of it has washed out after the last floods, Its still a reasonable gradient to climb, but you will only ride short sections.and its steep towards the end. Theres another poor weather option if you need it, from Buttermere take the short up and down bridleway west of Rannerdale knots,follow the road (B5289) Opposite lanthwaite green farm cottage head over towards Gaiskill beck short grassy path, but stay left onto a path that stays leveland follows the wall towards Swinside and ends on a back road to Blaze bridge, from here you head over Whinllater to rejoin your route.Great single track and we use it on our local night rides from Keswick
That's all great, helpful advice, thanks very much!