Bikepacking in the Lake District means tackling the iconic road climbs of Hardknott, Wrynose and Honister, high off-road passes, camping beneath the fells and spending days immersed in a landscape that mountain bikers rarely experience at this depth. For experienced riders looking for a multi-day adventure in one of England's finest national parks, the possibilities are extensive.

Edward Hunton's Cicerone guidebook covers eight challenging bikepacking routes of 2 to 5 days across the Lake District, including the classic Lakeland 200. Graded from moderate to very hard and suitable for experienced mountain bike and gravel bike riders, all routes are accessible by public transport and well served with accommodation and facilities.

• The eight routes range in duration from a long weekend to 5 days and include the Lakeland 200, Furness Forests, the Old Man of Coniston and the Irish Sea, Way Out in the Western Fells, Helvellyn and Back, the Dalston/Skiddaw Mega Pretzel, the Penrith/High Street Circuit and Nine Lakes
• Highlights include the road climbs of Hardknott, Wrynose, Whinlatter and Honister; the off-road passes of Sticks Pass, Stake Pass and Black Sail; the highest bridleway in England over Helvellyn; and the views over the Irish Sea from Black Combe
• Routes are graded overall as moderate, hard or very hard, with individual stages also graded using the standard MTB system of green, blue, red and black; all routes feature considerable ascent and descent and are likely to involve some sections of hike-a-bike
• Clear route descriptions, mapping and elevation profiles are supported by detailed planning information, including accommodation listings, facility notes and summary details for each stage, alongside tips on kit, food and navigation
• The Lakeland 200 can also be ridden as an Individual Time Trial, with guidance on how to approach it in this format; appendices cover campsites and hostels, bike shops and a full kit list

The Lake District's network of bridleways, passes and fell roads gives experienced bikepackers an extraordinary range of multi-day possibilities. This guide covers eight of the best.

Bikepacking in the Lake District - Quick Facts

Routes: 8 bikepacking routes 
Duration: 2 to 5 days per route 
Grading: Moderate, hard or very hard overall; individual stages graded green, blue, red and black 
Bike types: Mountain bike (all routes); gravel bike (some routes) 
Key centres: Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston, Keswick, Kendal, Staveley, Whitehaven, Penrith 
Routes included:The Lakeland 200; Furness Forests; The Old Man of Coniston and the Irish Sea; Way Out in the Western Fells; Helvellyn and Back; Dalston/Skiddaw Mega Pretzel; Penrith/High Street Circuit; Nine Lakes 
Highlights: Hardknott Pass, Wrynose Pass, Whinlatter Pass, Honister Pass, Sticks Pass, Stake Pass, Black Sail Pass, Helvellyn highest bridleway, Black Combe views over the Irish Sea, Skiddaw House, Caldew Valley, Ennerdale YHA 
Digital navigation: GPX files available to download 
Appendices: Lake District campsites and hostels; bike shops; full kit list 
Best season: Year-round; some higher routes may be affected by snow or ice in winter; avoid prolonged wet spells as rivers can rise quickly

Author Highlight

“The Lake District is an exceptional location for bikepacking. No other location has the density of first-class off-road riding within such a varied and wild landscape. Its 16 lakes are flanked by dozens of fells (an Old Norse term which means mountains and hills), and over 3000km of rights of way criss-cross its 912 square miles. It’s a varied landscape with almost 10,000 hectares of managed plantation and one-third more of deciduous woodland.”

- Edward Hunton, author of Bikepacking in the Lake District

CONTENTS

Overview maps

Map key

Route summary table

Introduction

What is bikepacking?

Individual time trials

Choice of bike

When to go

Mountain weather

Getting there and around

Accommodation

Fuel strategies

Kit

Cash and money

Navigation

Rights of way

The National Cycle Network

Safety and emergencies

Using this guide

The rides

Route 1 The Lakeland 200

Route 2 Furness Forests

Route 3 The Old Man of Coniston and the Irish Sea

Route 4 Way Out in the Western Fells

Route 5 Helvellyn and Back

Route 6 Dalston/Skiddaw Mega Pretzel

Route 7 Penrith/High Street Circuit

Route 8 Nine Lakes

Appendix A Lake District campsites and hostels

Appendix B Lake District bike shops

Appendix C Kit list

Seasons

You can ride these routes at any time of year, although some are more exposed than others. Avoid heading out after a prolonged period of rain as this will affect the going in some places and rivers can rise quickly and become impassable. Paths and roads will be icy in winter and higher routes may see snow.

Centres

Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston, Keswick, Kendal, Staveley, Grizedale, Whitehaven and Penrith

Difficulty

Each route is graded. Each stage within the route is also graded using the standard MTB system. Green: off-road, relatively even ground, low gradients. Blue: challenging in parts, moderate gradients, extended exertion. Red: steep single track, obstacles. Black: physically demanding, extended exertion, highly technical or hike-a-bike (push or carry your bike). Two routes have an overall grade of Moderate, four are Hard and two are Very Hard. All routes feature considerable ascent and descent and are likely to involve some sections of hike-a-bike.

Must See

The green-lane descent from High Parkamoor; Skiddaw House and the Caldew Valley; Black Sail Pass and the YHA at Ennerdale; the Walna Scar Road; the views over the Irish Sea from Black Combe; the climb over High Street and the Straights of Riggindale; the road climbs of Hardknott and Wrynose; the exposed fell of Eskdale

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