Below are some suggestions to help with your itinerary. The planning stage should be an enjoyable experience as you put together a trip to remember. There is no right or wrong route to take and we believe it should be specific to you – your level of fitness, type of bike, interests, available time frame, time you wish to spend riding each day – and we would be pleased to help advise and put together a personalised schedule for you.
Mountain Biking – Tim Woodcock Route (Approx 289km – Total ascent 5214m)
Whilst there are various mountain route options available, the principal and fully documented route was originally devised by Tim Woodcock. Initially following the Sustrans cycleway from the west coast the route heads down the side of Ennerdale Water, over Black Sail past the end of Wastwater and on to Eskdale. From Eskdale the route east is via Ambleside, Kentmere and on to Shap at the Lake District’s edge. It would be fair to say that areas across the Lakes are demanding and tough but but rewarded by some good down-hills and a huge sense of achievement.
Beyond the Lake District and the Pennines high point of Tan Hill (highest pub in England) there is some lovely riding through Swaledale to Richmond. Beyond here you take to tarmac across to Osmotherley before some great off road along the Cleveland Hills and on to the North York Moors.
Road Biking
By no means less exhilarating, the tarmac routes allow you to take full advantage of the network of quiet county roads that span the country. Having navigated your way across the Lake District and passed through Kirkby Stephen mid-way you’ll enjoy the lovely rolling Yorkshire Dales and the more challenging North Yorkshire Moors beyond, with trips lasting from 2 to 7 days.
Road Biking alternatives across the Lake District
| Approx 320km Total ascent 5076m |
Approx 292km Total ascent 4463m |
Approx 290km Total ascent 4306m |
| Route via Rosthwaite (up Honister pass) and from there on through to Grasmere (via Keswick) and Patterdale (via Ambleside, ‘The Struggle’ & Kirkstone – before joining the above route at Pooley Bridge on the end of Ullswater. |
Slightly further south from St Bees to Eskdale and then straight across to Ambleside via the Hard Knott & Wrynose roller-coaster. From Ambleside the route also then takes you up ‘The Struggle’ and on to Patterdale. |
The Sustrans route (including some cycle ways on old rail lines) via Loweswater & The Whinlatter Pass to Keswick and on as far as the ‘Troutbeck Turn’ off the A66. The route then tracks more southerley via Matterdale and Pooley Bridge, Bampton & Shap. |
From Orton the 3 routes follow the same route into Kirkby Stephen, through to Richmond before the flat section on lanes through Danby Wiske and Osmotherley before the hills return in the North York Moors National Park.
E-Biking/Hybrid
