The Cycle Rides:
Each bike ride includes an introductory description, map, route directions (these are number referenced to the map for easy route following), gradient profile, distance of the routes that is off-road and on-road, plus starting point detail.
Here's some general descriptions to give you the flavour of the routes... |
|
1. THE WINSTER VALLEY 16.9km (10.5 miles)
Lying between Kedal and Newby bridge. Leave the crowds behind - this little gem is largely left to those who want to search a little more carefully. Includes an off-road option.
|
2. OLD HUTTON & KILLINGTON LAKE 18.9km (11.7 miles)
Buzzards, deer, badger and a profusion of wildfowel are to be found in this area. Take your binoculars and enjoy a wonderful afternoon ride in peaceful meditation.
The main bike route is entirely on tarmac but an excellent off-road variation is also decribed. |
3. KENDAL TO SIZERGH CASTLE 14.5km (9 miles)
Excellent bridleways thatclimb steadily to a fantastic viewpoint, exhillerating riding then down to the castle followed by a lesirely mable alongside the river and back to Kendal
|
|
4. BOWNESS TO AMBLESIDE 14.7km (9.1 miles)
Cycle on well surfaced tracks around the lake before jumping onto one of the Windermere steamers that ply their trade up and down the lake and have a nice cup of tea as you sit back and sail serenely back to your car (yes it's cheating - but for a pleasant easy going outing it doesn't really get much better than this!) |
5. ASHES LANE & BELL HILL 7.6 & 5.6km (4.7 & 3.5 miles)
This craking little bike route links tracks that circumnavigate Ben Hill giving fine riding in beautiful situations. |
6. LONGLESDDALE 16.8km (10.4 miles)
Longlesddale is a beautiful valley & luckilly largely unknow to the thongs of tourists & has the added advantage of a quite road that runs up the valley and an excellent off-road bridleway that runs back down. |
7. SETTLE, FEIZOR & WHARFE 12km 7.5 miles
A lovely and highly recommended route giving spectacular views over Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent with surprisingly gentle climbing on excellent trails. |
8. AMBLESIDE TO TROUTBECK 11.2km (7 miles)
This bike route climbs through Skelghyll Woods from Ambleside, passing Jenkin Chapel and some lovely views before descending to Troutbeck. It then winds past the historic farmhouse of Town End before dropping to the visitor centre at Brockhole and then a return along the edge of Lake Windermere. Good riding with great views. |
|
9. PELTER BRIDGE & LOUGHRIGG TERRACE 8.8km (5.5 miles)
A lovely little route, roughly two thirds is off road on some great tracks. Popular with mountain bikers yet not so difficult as to be unrideable for the majority of riders.
|
10. KINGSDALE 11.6km (7.2 miles)
A very quiet road up the valley and then climbs off road up to the Turbary Road, an ancient track. This runs back parallel with the road over a pleasant grassy surface with great views.
|
11. KIRKBY LONSDALE TO MANSERGH 16km (10 miles)
This bike route links the best of the many quiet lanes, tracks and bridleways in the area. The views over to Barbondale are spectacular and well worth the effort in getting there. |
12. CLAIFE HEIGHTS 12.8km (8 miles)
This lovely route follows the western edge of Windermere along some easy tracks before climbing onto the hilltop for some excellent tracks and fantastic views over the higher fells, before a cracking descent back to Windermere.
|
13. LOW BORROWDALE & HOWGILL LANE 18.4km (11.4 miles)
If peaceful solitude is your thing then this is for you. The valley has no road along it, although the bridleway shares its lower length with a gravel track. The route picks up an ancient Roman road skirting the lower flanks of the Howgill Fells.
|
14. CLAPHAM, NORBER & CRUMMACKDALE 13.7km (8.5 miles)
Clapham is a delightful little village in North Yorkshire. The route takes advantage of low passes into unspoilt, picturesque valleys. |
15. INGS TO KENTMERE 14.4km (9 miles)
This route takes in some of the best trails from the myriad of tracks that cross the area. Very popular with local mountain bikers , and for good reason. |
|
16. TWISLETON SCARS & RIBBLEHEAD VIADUCT 16.9km (10.5 miles)
Once the initial climb to the top of the scars has been completed the route gives a fantastic run. The return to Ingleton takes advantage of a quiet and picturesque lane along Chapel-le-Dale.
|
17 CASTERTON & BARBON VIA BULL POT FARM 16km (10 miles)
Casterton and Barbon Fells retain a peaceful tranquillity discovered only by a discerning few! These fells retain a grandeur all their own with the spactacular dry valley of Easegill and the wonderful picnic spots alongside the river Barbondale.
|
18. KENDAL TO WINDERMERE 17.6 km (10.9 miles)
This bike route climbs out of Kendal to cross the limestone escarpment of Scout Scar and drop down into very peaceful countryside. Lovely riding on ancient byways giving manageable climbs and fun descents. |
19. ORTON TO CROSBY RAVENSWORTH 11 km (6.8 miles)
The rugged condition and isolated situations give this ride a real wilderness quality. Peaty moorland trails, fast singletrack descents and barely a gate in sight - this route will leave you yearning for more! |
20. CROSBY RAVENSWORTH TO APPLEBY 23.2km (14.6 miles)
This route begins in the attractive village of Crosby Ravensworth, looping round to the market town of Appleby via the ford at the beautiful Maulds Meaburn.
|
Hopefully these descriptions has given you a taste of what this great guide has to offer
and will lead you on to many trips that you will treasure for years to come.
