Cycling Guide - The Lake District
By E-Bike Safaris
Introduction
E-Bike Safaris has developed this guide as a starting point for anyone planning to cycle in the Lake District. Below are a snap shot of routes that E-Bike Safaris can offer you when renting a bike from your accommodation, for a fun, hassle free, self-guided cycle tour.
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Cycling is one of the best ways to appreciate the natural beauty of the Lake District; to explore the lesser visited valleys, lakes and fells, as well as to see many of the world heritage site’s most famous attractions. We can offer a range of leisurely cycle routes as well as more challenging options for the hardened road cyclists.​​
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To rent our Electric Bikes and cycle self-guided tours from your accommodation, visit our E-Bike Hire page. Alternatively, view our pre-designed tours on our E-Bike Tours page. Find out more about E-Bike Safaris on our Home Page.
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Leisure Cycling Routes - samples
While many of the better known cycling routes in the Lakes involve hilly terrain, rides can be found in most areas that avoid the major hill climbs. As well as the lower gear ratios available on modern bikes and the progress of E-Bike technology, cycle tracks are progressively being developed in the heart of the Lake District. Below are a few suggestions of routes that include quiet country lanes and some gravel cycle tracks.
1/ Grasmere & Coniston 17 mile loop
This is a great way to fully appreciate and enjoy the central Lakes without having to cover too great a distance. On cycle friendly tracks and quiet country lanes, the route takes you via a range of attractions, including Rydal Water, Wray Castle, Hawkshead, Coniston, Elterwater and Grasmere. There is a huge choice of great refreshment stops all the way around this route.
2/ Staveley & Cartmel Fell 19 mile loop
This relatively short cycle loop around South Lakeland takes you through beautiful rolling hills as well as great views of the larger Lake District fells. The route follows quiet country lanes via a range of cafes and pubs to make it a relaxing day out. The Brown Horse at Winster and Hare & Hounds at Bowland Bridge serve lovely meals, or simply a nice pot of tea, whilst the village of Staveley offers you a range of tea shops, including the lovely Wilf's cafe.
3/ Ambleside, Newby Bridge, Lake Windermere Steamer 14-mile ride
This is a lovely option if you would like to combine a leisurely cycle ride with a relaxing steamer trip on Lake Windermere. Either direction works fine. If you cycle from Ambleside, there are cycle tracks parallel to the busier sections of the country roads. The Steamers usually run on an hourly basis both ways between Waterside near Ambleside to the north, and Lakeside just north of Newby Bridge to the south. Detours can be included to visit a range of attractions including Wray Castle or the pretty market town of Hawkshead and Hill Top House, where Beatrix Potter was inspired to write the Tales of Peter Rabbit.
Moderate Cycle Routes - samples
1/ Central Lakes 34 mile loop
This is a perfect route to appreciate the spectacular scenery and attractions the central Lake District offers. As well as taking in places such as Coniston, Hawkshead, Wray Castle and Grasmere, you cycle through the Langdale valleys, along the shore of Lake Windermere and many more treats. As well as the many attractions to visit, the route offers a great range of traditional pub and cafe refreshment options.
2/ South Lakeland 31 mile loop
This is a great route to explore the South Lakeland region with its rolling fells and quiet country lanes. The route provides you with superb views of the Lake District mountains to the north and west and the rolling fells to the south and east. It follows quiet country lanes through picturesque villages and Cartmel Fell, and provides you with the option of visiting the market town of Kendal. You pass a choice of great traditional pubs and a range of cafes and can easily adapt this route to visit attractions of your choice.
3/ Coniston, Duddon Valley, Wrynose 39 mile loop
This lovely route explores the central and south east Lake District. Covering 39 miles (but easy to shorten or lengthen - ask Phil for further options). The route takes you along the shores of Coniston Water, up the peaceful and beautiful Duddon Valley, then over Wrynose Pass with the spectacular views and a descent down through Little Langdale. Refreshment options after passing Coniston could include the Blacksmith Arms in Broughton Mills or the Newfield Inn at Seathwaite, as you cycle up the Duddon Valley. The next option would be the Three Shires Inn when you reach Little Langdale, followed by a range of pubs and cafes in Great Langdale valley.
4/North Lakes 32 mile loop
Another favourite day ride of mine is this lesser visited and spectacular landscape of the North Lakes around the Skiddaw and Blencathra mountain range. Without any major climbs and total elevation of only 620 m, the route takes in incredible scenery along lovely quiet fell lanes via the tranquil villages of Bassenthwaite, Caldbeck and Mungrisdale. Caldbeck village, at the northern most point of the loop, has several cafes, and a pub with a great range of food options, and even a shop for further refreshments.
More Challenging Rides for road cyclists
1/ Coniston, Hardknott & Wrynose 49-mile loop (Central & South-West Lakes)
If you want to conquer Hardknott and Wrynose Passes as well as appreciate the beautiful fells of the south west Lake District, then this is the ride to do! With the total of 1,670m elevation, it is a challenging but spectacular ride. Your start and ending could be at any point along the route. If starting in the Elterwater area, where there are ample parking options, set off along the Langdale Valley, over Blea Tarn Pass, Wrynose Pass, Hardknott Pass then turn south-east over Birker Fell; through Broughton-in-Furness and circle around Coniston Water on your return. There are a great range of cafés and traditional pub stops along the route, including in Eskdale valley, Broughton and Coniston.
2/ Grasmere, Whinlatter, Hardknott 66-mile loop (Central & North-West Lakes)
This route provides the amazing variety of scenery and climbs the Lake District can offer, covering the central, northern and western regions, including 3 of the major climbs on the “Fred Whitton Round”! It has 1,970m of elevation and 66 miles, making it a challenging but rewarding day’s ride for strong and experienced cyclists. Setting off from Skelwith Bridge in the heart of the Lakes, north past Grasmere and on to Keswick. From Keswick this ride also joins a section of “The Fred Whitton” Round at Braithwaite, over Whinlatter Pass, skirting Loweswater and the eastern fells, before the challenging return climbs over Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass. There are great refreshment options along the way in Keswick and also in Eskdale before the challenging final climbs of the day.
3/ The Struggle, Ullswater, Shap 56 mile loop (Central & North-East Lakes)
The route circles the eastern fells of the Lake District, with a total elevation of 1,250 m, taking in the idyllic scenery around Ullswater. The route passes through Ambleside and up The Struggle over Kirkstone Pass, which is the only major climb of the route. From the top of Kirkstone you descend and pass through Glenridding, beside Ullswater, through Pooley Bridge, Shap and Staveley. As well as the breathtaking scenery, this route offers a great choice of refreshment stops along the way, in Glenridding, Pooley Bridge, Shap and Staveley.
4/ Honister, Newlands & Whinlatter 44 mile loop (North West Lakes)
Taking in three of the Lake District classic road climbs and another key section of the “Fred Whitton Round”, this route is an epic for cyclists who would like a challenge and the chance to enjoy the stunning beauty of the north east Lakes. From Keswick, via Borrowdale, you find the first climb over Honister Pass to Buttermere. Here you will take a right turn up Newlands Hause Pass and a welcome break at the magnificent Moss Force Waterfalls. After your descent to Braithwaite, there will be the fresh challenge of Whinlatter Pass before riding on to the pretty market town of Cockermouth, finishing around the east of Bassenthwaite Lake. A great choice of cafes awaits you, including but not limited to Honister Quarry and Slate Mine, Buttermere, Braithwaite and a good selection in the centre of Cockermouth.
Cycling with young children
E-Bike Safaris provide child seats, tag-a-long bikes and child trailers along with our E-Bikes. If you have your own bikes for children, some suggestions are:
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Starting from the Windermere ferry is a lovely option if you are approaching the Lake Windermere area from the south or east but do google in advance to check the ferry is operating. After the 10-minute ferry crossing, the boat takes you to the cycle path on the western shore of Lake Windermere. From there you can head north to Wray Castle for a picnic (or cup of tea in the tea room) and a stunning view.
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In the Langdale Valley, you can cycle from Skelwith Bridge through Elterwater to Dungeon Ghyll and back, all on the gravel path following the river Brathay. This route has a great range of cafes and pubs at Skelwith Bridge, Elterwater and at the top of the valley at Dungeon Ghyll.
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There are loads of off-road trails in the Forestry Commission-run Grizedale Forest, with distances from around 2 to 14+ miles. As well as the graded and technical mountain bike routes, there are miles of forest gravel tracks on either side of the valley. You will also come across over 40 sculptures and works of art. However, beware the forest trails are quite steep, so, if you're with younger/inexperienced children, then a good starting point could be from Moor Top car park where you'll find the easier routes.
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Whinlatter Forest also has some fantastic options for off-road riding, with trails from 1 to 12+ miles. More suitable for mountain biking, but there are a few short trails accessible for young children and there is a café for refreshments.