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Cycling Guide - The Lake District

By E-Bike Safaris

Introduction

E-Bike Safaris has developed this guide as a sample of the cycle routes we can offer in the Lake District. Below are a snap shot of routes that E-Bike Safaris can provide when renting a bike from your accommodation (or at a start and end point of your choice), 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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E-Bike Safaris, Lake District, Cycle Routes Summary.png

Leisure Cycling Routes - samples

With the enormous network of quiet country lanes and cycle tracks, rides can be found in most areas that avoid the major hill climbs, whilst still experiencing the breathtaking scenery. With the lower gear ratios on modern bikes, the progress of E-Bike technology and cycle tracks progressively being developed, the heart of the Lake District is becoming accessible for all cycling abilities. Below are a few suggestions of relatively short cycle routes that include quiet country lanes and some gravel cycle tracks.

1/ Grasmere, Elterwater & Wray Castle 17 mile loop

This is a great route to fully appreciate and enjoy the central Lakes without having to cover too great a distance. With a combination of good cycle tracks and quiet country lanes, the route takes you via a range of attractions, including Rydal Water, Wray Castle, Hawkshead, Elterwater and Grasmere. There is a huge choice of great refreshment stops all the way around this route.

2/ South Lakeland Fells 19 mile loop

South Lakes 19 mile Staveley, Cartmell Fell loop.png

The route through the South Lakeland villages takes you through beautiful rolling hills as well as providing great views of the larger Lake District fells. It 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/ Lake Windermere shore & Steamer 14-mile ride

Ambleside, Newby Bridge + Steamer 14 mile ride.png

A great ride if you would like to combine a leisurely cycle ride with a relaxing steamer trip on Lake Windermere. Either direction works fine and 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, the 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

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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 shores 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/ Lakeland 31 mile loop

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The South Lakeland region, with its rolling fells and quiet country lanes, is an idyllic cycling location. The route provides you with breathtaking views of the Lake District mountains to the north and west and the rolling fells to the east. It follows quiet country lanes through picturesque villages and Cartmel Fell, with the option of visiting the market town of Kendal. You pass a choice of great traditional pubs and a range of cafes. The route can be easily adapted to visit attractions of your choice, including  Windermere lakeshore Fell Foot National Trust Park on the shore of Lake Windermere and the visitor centre of Bowness-on-Windermere.

3/ Coniston & Wrynose Pass 39 mile loop

Coniston, Duddon Valley, Wrynose 39 mile ride.png

This is one of my favourite cycle routes in the central and south-east Lake District, as well as our most popular Day Tour. 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, over Wrynose Pass with 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

North Lakes 32 mile loop.png

A fantastic day ride in the lesser visited and spectacular landscape of the North Lakes around the Skiddaw and Blencathra mountain range. Without any major climbs, 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.

More Challenging Rides for road cyclists

1/ Coniston Water & Hardknott Pass 49-mile loop

Coniston, Hardknott & Wrynose 49 mile loop.png

One of the most popular, challenging and spectacular Lake District Cycle routes, which includes Hardknott and Wrynose Passes as well as the beautiful fells of the south west Lake District, with the total of 1,670m elevation. Your start and ending could be at any point along the route. From the Great Langdale Valley, you can set off 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/ Langdales, Whinlatter, Hardknott 66-mile loop

Langdales, Whinlatter, Hardknott 66 mile loop.png

The route showcases the variety of scenery and climbs the Lake District can offer, covering the central, northern and western regions. It has 1,970m of elevation and 66 miles, making it a challenging but rewarding day’s ride for strong  cyclists.  If setting off from central Lakes, you go north past Grasmere and Thirlmere Reservoir and on to Keswick. From Keswick this ride joins a great section of “The Fred Whitton” Round at Braithwaite. Riding 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/ Kirkstone Pass, Ullswater, Shap 56 mile loop

The Struggle, Ullswater, Shap 56 mile loop.png

The route, with a total elevation of 1,250 m, taking in the idyllic scenery around Ullswater and the eastern Lake District fells. You pass through Ambleside and up 'The Struggle' over Kirkstone Pass, before descending to Glenridding on the shores of Ullswater. After skirting the shores of Ullswater you pass 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

Honister, Newands & Whinlatter passes 44 mile loop.png

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 climb over Honister Pass to Buttermere and Newlands Hause Pass. Here you can have a welcome break at the magnificent Moss Force Waterfalls, followed by a beautiful descent to Braithwaite. Hereyou meet the 3rd climb over Whinlatter Pass, before riding on to the pretty market town of Cockermouth and finishing around the east of Bassenthwaite Lake. A range of cafes can be found along the route, including Honister Quarry and Slate Mine, Buttermere, Braithwaite and many options 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:

  • Starting from the Windermere ferry is a lovely option. If you are approaching the Lake Windermere area from the south or east 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 treat yourself at Joey's Cafe) and a stunning view.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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