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I am sure there is a reasonable amount of hike-a-bike,
but is it a realistic route via [url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=324735&Y=508080&A=Y&Z=120 ]Angle Tarn[/url],
either down Rosset Gill
or perhaps over to Stake Pass & come doen under Black Craggs.
Planning a w/e loop in the lakes & curious.
Down Rosset Gill is a route and there are videos on line of folks even riding some sections?
I've gone up Rosset Gill over to Angle Tarn to Esk Hause and down Sty Head and then around from Seathwaite to Stonethwaite to head up Langstrath valley and up and over Stake Pass for aore rideable route.
I've walked up around there, saw a few MTBers doing the descent to Seathwaite from Sty Head which I hear is quite a standard route.
As Tomaso - Rosset Ghyll as a descent is a waste of time (unless you're Danny Mac)
Walked this the other day with the plan to ride it the next - didn't bother. Esk Hause down to Angle Tarn is all rideable, climb up Rosset not terrible, a carry for me, maybe not for others, it was the long drop down to Langdale that put me off, very steep, rocky and twisty - none of which are a problem on their own but for steep and twisty, I need rocks smaller than toddlers. Esk Hause down to Sty Head and Seathwaite would be much more fun I think.
Esk Hause to Styhead and Seathwaite is amazing. One of the best descents in the Lakes.
I've not done Rosset Gill yet, but it's definitely on the list.
The path from Angle Tarn to the top of Stake Pass is a bugger though - it looks like it should be rideable, but it's a slog and not very pleasant.
I like Rossett Ghyll as a descent, it's hard at the top but a good finish to the day, unlike Stakes Pass which is massively underwhelming. The bottom of Rossett isn't much cop either but the top is the point.
OP here - cheers all,
Trying to plan a 2-day ride, stopping off at Black Sail YHA.
Had initially thought:
start Grasmere, up Easedale Gill, Greenup Gill, Buttermere to Black Sail.
Day2 - Wasdale Head, Sty Head, Esk House, Langdale.
Perhaps the other way abouts then or something completely different.
If you are in Langdale there is a short, but oh oh oh so sweet bridleway just south of Elterwater, that drops through Sawreys wood, across a track and then down under Yew Crags, through the quarry and down to Chapel Stile.
The top half is a wet rooty, rocky flowy fast joy to behold.
Over in no time, but if you are in that neck of the woods....
did that on Saturday on the Fatty - great fun
I rode this route with Tomaso
... up Rosset Gill over to Angle Tarn to Esk Hause and down Sty Head and then around from Seathwaite to Stonethwaite to head up Langstrath valley and up and over Stake Pass for a more rideable route.
and I've since done Rosset Gill as a descent too. It's "challenging" at the top but ridable. On balance, I prefer Rosset Gill to Stake Pass as a descent, but I'll take my hat off to those who clean it (no dabs).
If you do go Langstrath > Stake Pass, another option to consider is the Grains Gill descent to Stockley Bridge instead of Styhead Gill.
Four Passes plus some bits of Borrowdale Bash plus a detour to Sprinkling Tarn was sort of what we'd planned - it ended up being just the Four Passes.
Aye, Saw your post Grum, excellent write up & Pictures.
That in fact is the inspiration.
Did it about ten years ago.....we walked and carried A LOT!!!!!!
Down Rosset Gill is a route and there are videos on line of folks even riding some sections?
I've gone up Rosset Gill over to Angle Tarn to Esk Hause and down Sty Head and then around from Seathwaite to Stonethwaite to head up Langstrath valley and up and over Stake Pass for aore rideable route.
That's pretty much what i've done and it was a great day out. I'd never want to descend Rosset Gill, i have neither the skill or balls for it, it's bloody hard if even rideable for most. I'd do that route again no bother it was fantastic. Decent pub lunch 1/2 way too, in Seathwaite I think.
Was a similar thread a couple of weeks back for more info.
The footpath around from Angle Tarn under Black Crags to Stake is pretty boggy in parts, indistinct and some big stally rocks - not great. Stake down into Langdale is no classic either.
What about:
Day 1 - Start Keswick, Watendlath, Up Honister (bridleways most of the way), back of Fleetwith, warnscale to Buttermere, Scart Gap to Black Sail.
day 2 - Over Black Sail to Wasdale, then over Styhead, finishing the Borrowdale Bash down past Castle Crag to Keswick.
Much more rideable and if weather not so good, you could go off piste Honister to Black Sail (mail for a route) and on Day 2, you could cruise down Ennerdale, up over Floutern Tarn to The Kirkstile Inn for lunch and then via Whinlatter back to Keswick.
Were you out with the group of Fatties at the weekend?
OP - I'd recommend against your Grasmere-Easdale-Greenup Edge route to Borrowdale. Very little riding to be had on the ascent and most of the height is lost on terrain much steeper and rockier than Rossett Ghyll as you pass Lining Crag. That bridleway is better in reverse and even then it's not the same calibre as the other passes (big bog crossing, then super nadgery singletrack).
I'd either go from Styhead down Grains Ghyll, or from Angle Tarn across to Stakes pass. Or go from Wasdale Head over to Boot in Eskdale, then Hardknott and Walna Scar to Coniston. From there you can link into Grizedale/Langdale on a multi-day mission.
Boxelder,
yep did a 30k loop from Ghlyside cycles over Arnside, Little Langdale, Rydal. Great day out. Weather held nicely too.
Cheers for the tips all.
Need to get a w/e booked (possibly the hardest part) with all now & some planning.