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I’m thinking of heading to the Lakes this month for a week or so of riding.
I’ve bought a book with routes in so could choose some from that, but was wondering if anyone has any personal preference to which ones to do - or must do’s?
Don’t mind long days, techy trails etc. If you have a recommendation do you have a link to a gpx or route map/description - unless its a known route which would be easy to get off the internet - I need to load/plot it onto my Garmin!!!
Looking for around 5 routes - would prefer natural riding rather than a trailcenter for a change.
thanks
https://flattyres-mtb.co.uk/route-guides/lake-district-mtb-routes/
This is a site I've used many times for various routes around the uk, has GPX files available.
Are you OK with hike-a-bike? That unlocks the best of the Lakes
Thanks I’ll have a look at that site - which of the routes would you recommend?
Hike a bike is fine with me - presumably mostly on the ups?
presumably mostly on the ups?
That can depend on your skill level and route choice. Did a big one a few years back where one of the descents was also a walk for me. Combination of rocky stair case, riding solo and time of year.
I was up Helvellyn yesterday (carry up Dollywaggon) followed by Ullswater bridleway. Bid recommend both if you've not done them before.
Just got back from a week in the lakes. I think I've ridden (or tried to ride) nearly all of the "must do" rides at least a few times.
If you've got a week and you have the legs for it; I would make sure you fit the following in:
A Borrowdale bash (including Walla Crag and a cheeky trip up Barrow Fell at the end)
One of the Four Passes routes from Honister/Seatoller that starts with Wharnscale (choice of over the top and cheeky footpath or bridleway descent from Esk Hause - both good)
Ullock Pike from Skiddaw
Seldom seen from Helvellyn (if feeling spicy, go over Helvellyn, down Birk Side, back up Sticks pass from thirlmere and then down Seldom Seen)
Garburn, Gatesgarth and Nan Bield from near Kendal - but don't descend into haweswater climb over the footpath to Nan Bield
Keswick to Whiteless pike and back up the clough to descend Grizedale Pike.
A Borrowdale bash (including Walla Crag and a cheeky trip up Barrow Fell at the end)
One of the Four Passes routes from Honister/Seatoller that starts with Wharnscale (choice of over the top and cheeky footpath or bridleway descent from Esk Hause – both good)
Ullock Pike from Skiddaw
Seldom seen from Helvellyn (if feeling spicy, go over Helvellyn, down Birk Side, back up Sticks pass from thirlmere and then down Seldom Seen)
Garburn, Gatesgarth and Nan Bield from near Kendal – but don’t descend into haweswater climb over the footpath to Nan Bield
Keswick to Whiteless pike and back up the clough to descend Grizedale Pike.
These are all good suggestions, particularly Ullock Pike.
I would add Helvellyn, up Sticks Pass and down Dollywaggon Pike and Grizedale. The descent off Dollywaggon is rock steps with loads of water bars, and personally, not much fun. But I reckon Grizedale is worth it, even if you have to walk down to the tarn, if you enjoy flowing natural trail with techy rock bits.
Eh - the descent from Grizedale is ok - but the best way to do it if you want is to descend Birkside; then ride to dunmail rise and hike-a-bike up to the Tarn.
That said, if you don't like rocky steps and waterbars you're going to have a tricky time in the lakes!
There is plenty of mellow riding in the lakes. What makes the Lakes different is that it also has much harder stuff
From my experience I’d say stay with the Borrowdale Bash and then use that as a insite into what works for you.
Anyone have the link to the graded list of passes
hmmm, my favourite topic 🙂
I'd agree with the Four Passes defo.
The three passes I'm not so sure on. As Conti says, miss out the Gatesgarth descent and Nan Bield north and head over Harter Fell instead. Even better is to go up Garburn West, then head north along the ridge (FBW) to the end of High Street and drop down to the summit of Nan Bield from the west. That is defo the best way to do Nan Bield.
Helvelyn
Ullock Pike from Skiddaw is absolutely amazing.
Blencathra is ok, but not as good as Ullock.
Ullswater Bridleway is good.
Seldom Seen is indeed great. Sticks east also great. Birkside is stupendous. Not so sure on Dollywaggon - not tried it for 26 years! (Hated it then)
Agree with Keswick to Whiteless pike and back up the clough to descend Grizedale Pike.
The ridge above Rydal is stupendous, but getting to it sucks deeply.
Many thanks for the suggestions.
I’ll have a look at my guidebook and the OS maps to try and put a gpx of various routes you recommend together.
Cant believe nobody has thrown Routes from Torver Stephenson ground to Seathwaite Walna Scar .. The run from Weatherlam to the coppermines. Blawith is brilliant too. Fairfield and Alcock tarn too ...
Sooo many ... Off to check how much fuel is in the car .
If you want something a bit more flowy, find your way up to Sail however you want (I went up past the mine from Braithwaite and then on to Coledale Hause and then round the back and up to Crag Hill). From there it's a long, fun descent down to and along Rigg Beck down into Newlands.