Cycling in the Lake District

Cycle in the Lake District and take on England's most demanding and rewarding road cycling landscape, home to the legendary Fred Whitton Challenge, a 179km (112-mile) sportive over 7 of the most iconic passes in the country, including Hardknott, Wrynose, and Kirkstone. With incredible scenery at every turn and challenging roads in every direction, the Lake District National Park offers a cycling experience unlike anywhere else in England.

This trusted Cicerone guidebook by author Richard Barrett covers three distinct cycling experiences in the Lake District: the full Fred Whitton Challenge route, an alternative 5-day cycle tour of the National Park totalling 478km (297 miles), and 15 challenging day rides from bases including Keswick, Ambleside, and Penrith. Day rides range from 31 to 68km (19–42 miles) and are graded from moderate to challenging.

Prepare thoroughly for the Fred Whitton Challenge with full logistical information, tips for completing the route, and detailed route descriptions covering all 7 iconic passes including Hardknott, Wrynose, Kirkstone, Honister, Whinlatter, Newlands, and Cold Fell.
Explore the Lake District on a 5-day cycle tour from Ambleside, covering 478km (297 miles) across 5 stages of 14 to 75km (9–46 miles) per day, with two alternative stage options provided for each day to suit different abilities and conditions.
Choose from 15 challenging day rides across five areas of the National Park, covering the Central Lakes and Ambleside, Penrith and the North East, Keswick and the North West, the South West including Wasdale Head and Ravenglass, and the South East around Grizedale and Windermere.
Navigate with confidence using 1:100,000 or 1:200,000 mapping and elevation profiles included for every route, alongside GPX files available to download for the full route and all day rides.
Select rides suited to your fitness and ambition using a clear two-criteria grading system covering distance and total ascent, from moderate undulating rides to long, challenging routes with multiple steep gradients.
Plan your Lake District cycling trip with comprehensive practical advice on bike preparation, what to pack, fuelling your ride, accommodation, and the best time to go, with April to October offering the longest days and most reliable conditions.


Take on the roads, passes, and fells of the Lake District with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. Whether your goal is the Fred Whitton Challenge, a week-long tour, or a series of tough day rides, this is the essential companion for road cycling in England's largest National Park.

Seasons

The best time to go touring in the Lake District is between April and October, when the days are longer and the weather is at its best. But even then, you will undoubtedly get wet and experience blustery days. So be prepared for them. As a general rule always plan your route so that you are riding south to north with the prevailing south westerly winds.

Centres

Ambleside, Grasmere, Troutbeck, Shap, Penrith, Stainton, Keswick, Cockermouth, Eskdale Green, Ravenglass, Broughton in Furness, Grizedale, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Bassenthwaite, Buttermere

Difficulty

Each tour stage and day ride and is graded on two criteria: distance with rides categorised as short, medium or long, and total ascent with rides categorised as easy, moderate, hard or challenging.
Easy - smooth pedalling with gentle inclines
Moderate - undulating with an occasional steady climb, but nothing to get you out of the saddle
Hard - involves some hard climbs with gradients up to 10 per cent
Challenging - long steep ascents or multiple short sharp gradients that will most definitely hurt.
Inevitably, the majority of rides fall into the latter categories.

Must See

Incredible scenery and rare wildlife - the Lake District is England's largest national park; local craft breweries; local foods; Kirkstone Pass; Hardknott Pass; the impressive panorama of Yewbarrow, Kirkfell, Great Gable and Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head