Best Cycling Routes in the Lake District

Covering most of Cumbria, the stunning Lake District National Park was designated as a natural open space that should be accessible to all. The Lakes welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors all year round and is a haven for hill walkers and family holidays, luxury getaways and group adventures. With so much to see and so many things to do, planning your Lake District visit can be a logistical challenge, trying to cram everything into a relatively short amount of time.

Cue the humble e-bike!

An awesome way to explore larger areas in a short amount of time, hiring electric bikes offers travel that is stress-free, easy and enjoyable for different ages and abilities. No more having to sort and pay for parking or waiting for public transport – even if it’s available. Whether you arrive by train and opt for a day of e-bike cycling as part of your Lake District stay or hire e-bikes for the duration of your visit, this affordable and exciting mode of transportation gives you the freedom to explore further, free from time constraints or schedules.

Riding E-Bikes in the Lake District

The Lake District is a wonderful place to try e-biking for the first time. With much of the area relatively remote, and the sheer number of hills and winding, scenic roads, the Lake District is just perfect for an e-bike instead of a car. It’s way more fun to cycle up mountain passes on an e-bike than to drive up them, and you see and feel so much more in the open air.

If you know how to ride a regular bike, you’ll find using an e-bike super easy. These bikes essentially have a battery-powered motor that assists your pedalling, providing extra power. You still have to pedal but supported by the motor.

E-bikes are not only great for the planet with no emissions, but they are also a wonderful way for the whole family to get out cycling together. The extra power of an e-bike means older adults or those with a lower level of fitness can still enjoy cycling. You can even hire childrens bike trailers, tag-a-longs, child seats and dog trailers too so that no one gets left behind.  

We’ve put together our top 5 introductory Lake District e-bike routes to help you plan your itinerary, making the most of your time in this beautiful area.

1.        Best Lake District cycling route for families with children

Ash Landing – Wray Castle – Ash Landing – approx. 8 miles

Cycling around Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England, covers approximately 30 miles and requires using a mixture of Lake District bike routes, main roads and country lanes. You can also do it in sections and use the Windermere Ferry or lake cruises to boat out and ride back.

We reckon that cycling along the Windermere Western Shore Trail is one of the best places to cycle with children in the Lakes and with so many variations, you can tailor it to the needs of your kids.

The route starts at the National Trust Ash Landing Car Park along the southwest shore of Windermere and travels north for around 8 miles to the ferry terminal at Wray Castle. You can also begin at Wray Castle and cycle south.

The terrain is generally tarmac, gravel or grass, and gently undulates with no real ascent involved. As part of the Miles Without Stiles initiative, this Windermere cycle route is fully accessible for all and offers pretty views of the lake and the hills beyond. Walkers and cyclists aplenty enjoy the route, but with no cars and lots of open space, this is great for little legs to gain confidence, bike trailers and tag-a-longs too. Pack a picnic to enjoy in the castle grounds at Wray before returning the way you came.

You can also get the ferry with Windermere Lake Cruises from Ambleside, Windermere Jetty, Bowness, Lakeside or Fell Foot, depending on where you’re staying. Bear in mind that you’ll need to cycle to the ferry terminal which may involve busy roads.

2.        Best mountain biking routes, Lake District

Grizedale Forest Park – various distances

If mountain biking is more your bag, take your e-bike up to Grizedale Forest Park. Sandwiched between the western shore of Windermere and the eastern shore of Coniston Water, this area of wooded hills offers a range of bike trails Lake District visitors of all persuasions can try, free from pedestrians and cars.

You can easily cycle to Grizedale from Hawkshead, which is 3 miles north of the forest along quiet roads, before heading out on the wide forestry paths through the trees. Your e-bike won’t be suited to all the root-laden, MTB trails designed specifically for mountain biking, but you can still enjoy the majority of the Grizedale bike trail routes that are clearly signposted. They’re even colour-coded to help you navigate on the fly, dotted with surprising views, and with very few other people about, you can relax into your ride through the woods. 

Mountain biking in Grizedale Forest can be enjoyed as a short romp or for whole days, as there are plenty of trails to try. With a gorgeous café offering hot and cold drinks, snacks, cakes and lunch this is a destination in itself. Hunt down the sculptures along the art trail to rest your legs or head into the treetops to try Go Ape. Grizedale is a wonderful place to entertain multiple interests and with the ability to easily cycle here on your e-bike, there really is something for everyone.

3.        Best cycling route for beginners in the Lake District

Threlkeld – Keswick – Threlkeld – approx. 6 miles

Keswick – Threlkeld – Keswick – approx. 6 miles

For those not keen on long-distance cycling, hills or navigating, the Keswick to Threlkeld cycling path is an excellent introduction to e-bike riding. The route is a 3 mile out-and-back paved path following the footprint of an old railway. Begin at Threlkeld, parking in the village or across the road, and cycle the 3 miles to Keswick along lovely wide, flat paths. Choose to lunch in Keswick and explore the town before cycling back or try the route the other way around.

Starting from Keswick, cycle to Threlkeld and stop for a coffee in the café in the village. There are no facilities along the route but as its relatively short, this shouldn’t be an issue. You may find an ice cream van parked in a field during the warmer months and if you have kids with you, stop along the route for a paddle in the River Greta. Expect to cycle under mossy stone underpasses and across wooden bridges. A wonderfully purpose-built route for all ages and abilities that takes in the lovely northern fells along a pretty riverside trail – one of our favourite short Keswick cycle routes.

4.        Best scenic cycle route, Lake District

Stickle Ghyll – Elterwater – Skelwith Bridge – Elterwater – Stickle Ghyll – approx. 11 miles

We believe Langdale is one of the most stunning parts of the Lake District. This horseshoe-shaped valley is home to soaring fells and very few people, remaining one of the more remote places of the Lakes. Exploring this area on an e-bike allows you to enjoy the majestic scenery on two-wheels, as you cycle from the Langdale Pikes through to Skelwith Bridge along quiet lanes and gravel paths. The route contains a sharp ascent but is otherwise relatively flat, along gravel paths and tarmac. You can find refreshments at Chesters by the River at the furthest point from the start.

This out-and-back route begins at the National Trust Stickle Ghyll Car Park, ascending the foothills of Lingmoor Fell to reward you with amazing views of the Great Langdale Valley before dropping into Elterwater where you can see Elterwater Quarry, and Elterwater tarn. Turn around at Chesters and head back the way you came to end up back at Stickle Ghyll Car Park.

Covering around 11 miles, this scenic Lake District cycling route will take you away from the crowds into an area best explored without a car. Find out more about the Langdale Valley cycle route here.

5.        Best challenging cycling route, Lake District

Keswick – Borrowdale – Honister – Buttermere – Newlands – Braithwaite – Keswick – approx. 25 miles

If you’re the kind of person who rises to the challenge of renting an e-bike, how about testing it out on an incredible mountain pass that traditional cyclists treat with trepidation? Honister Pass connects the Borrowdale Valley, which stretches south of Keswick, with the Buttermere Valley, home to the more remote lakes of Buttermere and Crummock Water.

Starting from Keswick, cycle south through Borrowdale before hitting the bottom of the scree-covered Honister Pass. Pedal up switchback after switchback, powered by battery-supplemented legs before hitting Honister Slate Mine at the top. Stop here for a spot of Honister via ferrata (scaling ladders, cliffs and bridges across voids and along narrow ridges), a slate mine tour or lunch before racing down the other side towards the lakes.

Cycle northwards again from Buttermere towards the Newlands Raise Pass, stopping at Moss Force Waterfalls to dip your toes in the water, before cruising into Braithwaite just across Derwentwater from Keswick.

This is one of the classic cycling routes in the Lake District and is around 25 miles long. The ascents up to Honister and Newlands are tough but you’re on an e-bike so it should be much easier than on a pedal bike. Only those with a good level of fitness should attempt this but the rewards for those who do are simply breathtaking views with some incredibly scenic stops along the way.

Hire e-bikes with E-Bike Safaris

Why stick with traditional Lake District bike hire when you can rent an e-bike and explore further with less effort?! E-bike routes in the Lakes offer access to cycling for different abilities and ages, and with our amazing e-bike hire packages, we facilitate fantastic adventures across the national park and beyond. Many of the places you can ride are quiet, scenic roads and the number of cycle paths Lake District authorities are working on is improving in their quest to promote more sustainable ways of exploring.

We’ll deliver your e-bike to your accommodation, advise on care and safety, give you an induction and even provide you with cycling routes in your area. All the equipment you need is included - helmets, panniers, chargers and maps - so all you need to do is decide where you want to go! Don’t forget to pack some bike-friendly clothing, water, snacks and waterproofs that can be packed in the panniers provided.

The list above is by no means exhaustive, so get in touch with Phil to talk about your biking adventure today. We offer hire only deals which include a choice of carefully chosen cycle routes from wherever you are staying or you can join one of our e-bike holidays . We’re passionate about e-bikes and love the English Lakes and can’t wait to share both with you soon!