Mountain Biking in the Lake District

Discover why the Lake District is one of the UK's finest mountain biking destinations, where dramatic fell passes, technical singletrack, and stunning lakeside trails offer outstanding riding for every level of ability. From short loops around Loughrigg Fell and the Langdales to full-day epics over the Garburn Pass and a complete circumnavigation of Windermere, the Lake District delivers spectacular scenery and memorable riding in equal measure.

Suitable for novice and expert riders alike, this comprehensive Cicerone guide describes 24 graded circular mountain bike routes across the Lake District, from Kendal in the south to Cleator Moor in the northwest and Keswick to Winster in the Lyth Valley. Routes are arranged by difficulty and length, from short loops of a few hours to full-day challenges, with 1:50,000 OS map extracts and elevation profiles included for every ride.

• Choose from 24 graded circular MTB routes across the Lake District, with 7 short loops, 6 medium loops, 4 long loops, and 4 full-day rides, taking in trails from Borrowdale and Hawkshead to Kentmere, Grizedale, Haweswater, and Dunnerdale.
• Select routes by grade, percentage off-road, length, or time using a clear at-a-glance summary table, with routes graded blue (medium), red (hard), and black (very hard) to suit novice riders through to expert MTBers looking for a serious challenge.
• Discover the highlights of Lake District MTB, including the dramatic Garburn and Gatesgarth passes, the Tour de Windermere circumnavigation, the Grizedale Grunt, the Blencathra and Old Coach Road circuit, and views across Coniston Water, Ullswater, Derwent Water, and Haweswater.
• Navigate every route with confidence using OS 1:50,000 map extracts and elevation profiles, with numbered references linking the route text, map, and profile together to help you stay on track at every junction.
• Plan your rides with practical information on getting to the Lake District, accommodation, equipment, bike checks, food, rights of way, and a full appendix of bike shops in the region.
• Ride year-round, with most routes suitable in all seasons and clear guidance on which routes are best reserved for periods of good weather and drier trail conditions.

Take on the trails, passes, and fells of the Lake District with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guide. Whether you're after a short blue-graded loop or a full-day black-graded epic, this is the essential companion for mountain biking in one of England's finest off-road riding destinations.

Seasons

Although it is recommended that a few of the routes should only be done during periods of good weather, most can be ridden all year round.

Centres

Threlkeld, Pooley Bridge, Cleator Moor, Muncaster, Torver, Grizedale, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Elterwater, Kendal, Staveley, High Newton, Spark Bridge, Winster

Difficulty

Routes are graded blue (medium), red (hard) and black (very hard). Novice MTBers with reasonable bike-handling skills should be able to complete the blue routes, while experts should be challenged by the red and, more so, the black routes.

Must See

The dramatic Garburn and Gatesgarth passes; views of Coniston Water, Esthwaite Water, Grasmere, Rydal Water, Elterwater, Ulswater, Derwent Water and Haweswater; circuit of Windermere

Introduction

Getting to the Lake District

Accommodation

Equipment

Food

Bike checks

When to ride

Rest and recovery

Routes

Maps

Timings

Rights of way

Trail centres

The dirty dozen

Pre-ride checklist

Short Loops

Route 1 Tour of Loughrigg Fell

Route 2 Spark Bridge

Route 3 Borrowdale and Whinfell

Route 4 Kendal and Brigsteer

Route 5 Hawkshead and Hodge Close

Route 6 Howtown and Askham

Route 7 Elterwater and the Langdales

Medium Loops

Route 8 Muncaster

Route 9 Winster

Route 10 High Newton and Cartmel

Route 11 Tour of Claife Heights and High Wray

Route 12 Kentmere Special

Route 13 Cleator Moor

Long Loops

Route 14 Torver and Kirkby Moor

Route 15 Grizedale Grunt

Route 16 Loadpot Hill

Route 17 Blencathra and the Old Coach Road

Route 18 Garburn and Longsleddale

Route 19 Haweswater and Gatesgarth

Route 20 Dunnerdale Enduro

Full Day Loops

Route 21 Parkamoor, Satterthwaite and Hawkshead Monster

Route 22 Tour de Windermere

Route 23 Mealbank, Borrowdalen and the Breasthigh Road

Route 24 Longsleddale, Kentmere and Troutbeck

Appendix

Appendix Bike shops in the region