The Skiddaw Loop Lonscale Fell and the One of the Lakeland classics. Bikers have been enjoying this route since the dawn of cycling. A cycling club called ‘The Rough Stuff Fellowship’ Glenderaterra Valley record following this route in the 1920s on their trusty touring bikes. ROUTE 2 This is an ideal mountain bike route if you have limited time. It begins by Nowadays we would recommend using a mountain bike. The ride circles following the Old Railway Line but then climbs out of Threlkeld into the ROUTE the Skiddaw massif, formed by the eruptions of ancient volcanoes which Glenderaterra Valley for beautiful views over St Johns in the Vale. Old mine dominate the surrounding area. The entire route presents few real workings can be seen below as the ride heads up into the valley, then challenges but does explore some of the wilder corners of the Northern crosses a beck before contouring high above on Lonscale Fell. The scenery Fells offering a wonderful wilderness flavour. Route finding is is very dramatic, with only a few sheep for company, and the descent from straightforward but have proper equipment and supplies, including OS Landranger 90 and a compass, should visibility deteriorate. Latrigg to Keswick will leave you wanting more. 1 Start/Finish: Keswick Leisure This route is best completed in a 8 A descent of 800m presents you with Pool (GR NY270237) 1 Start from Keswick Leisure Pool (GR 7 Look out for a track sharp L (GR NY clockwise direction. a ford or a narrow bridge crossing of NY270237) and follow the Railway Path 292279) heading S. Distance: 11 miles (18km) the infant River Caldew and another all the way into the village of Threlkeld Start at the Tourist Information Centre 8 Now begins one of the Lake District’s short climb levels out at Skiddaw House, Grade: Medium - Challenge. (see Route 5). in the Market Square (GR NY266234) most memorable mountain biking an old shooting lodge now used as a Suitable for mountain bikes only (enquire about prevailing weather Youth Hostel (GR NY287291). 2 Avoid the first turning to Wescoe and sections, climbing and contouring high conditions before you set off). Refreshments: Keswick, Threlkeld continue for another 0.5km (0.3m) to up the valley side of Lonscale Fell. This 9 Skirt around the lower wall of the the next L: Blease Road (GR NY319253). is one of the highlights of the route, 1 Head N on Main Street for 0.75km hostel following a track past the Parking: Car parking available at negotiating natural rock steps following then turn R onto Crosthwaite Road outbuildings heading S. The track drops the Old Railway Station. 3 A stiff climb along a narrow road the Cumbria Way. Big drop offs present (signed Penrith and Carlisle). After to a small bridge and then a gate a short levels out and after 1km (0.6m) passes a real danger and this section should be another 400m cross a major roundabout while later. After 1km (0.6m) descending the entrance to the Blencathra Field ridden/walked with caution. and take the second exit onto the A59. a rocky track look for a smaller track Centre (GR NY303256). heading R onto Lonscale Fell and the 9 Eventually the narrow sides of the 2 Almost immediately turn R signed 4 The road finishes but the route valley open to give spectacular views in Applethwaite, then follow this road western side of the valley. (GR NY292 5 continues across a metal cattle grid and 279). every direction and a fast descent turns through Millbeck before returning to follows a rough track into the into a very rocky track leading to a rock A591. 10 Follow the Route 2 description for Glenderaterra Valley. Now primarily a step and a river crossing which climbs sheep pasture, the steep valley sides 3 Turn R and ride on the A591 past the route back to Keswick. 6 back up to the Latrigg car park (GR once saw considerable mining activity NY282253). Dodd Wood (café) for a distance of 4.8 7 during the 19th Century (find out more km (3m). at Keswick Mining Museum). 10 From here a good track descends to 4 R turn signed Orthwaite (GR Start/Finish: Keswick Tourist Spooney Green overlooking Keswick. Information Centre (GR NY266234) 5 There are various streams to cross Please note this bridleway has some NY234306) skirts around the northern using stone and wooden bridges or flanks of Skiddaw. Continue along this steeper sections and potential hazards Distance: 17 miles (28km) taking a chance with rocky fording such as water channels crossing the for 4.5km (2m) and avoid the first points. bridleway sign that you see after leaving Grade: Medium - Challenge. 4 track. The track is used by walkers and the main road. Suitable for mountain bikes only 6 A steeper climb on a well surfaced horse riders so should be ridden with 8 track follows a dry stone wall for 0.5km great care and consideration. 5 At Peter House Farm (GR NY249323) Refreshments: Keswick, Dodd (0.3m), then onto a stonier track for 11 Cross the A66 over a bridge and turn R through a gate on to a narrow Wood another 250m. metalled track. Begin climbing for 1km arrive back in Keswick on the (0.6m) and pass through 3 metal/wooden Parking: Car parking available in Brundholme Road. Turn L and follow this gates. Keswick at Otley Road and Bell road back for 0.5km (0.3m) to the Leisure Close car parks. Pool. 6 A rough track turns R (GR NY252321) and heads SE climbing into the 9 mountains. 7 A stiff climb over 1.5km brings you to a metal gate next to Whitewater Dash; a dramatic waterfall. The track crosses 7 this by a bridge and continues to climb less steeply for another 1km (0.6m) 10 6 before levelling out in a remote area called ‘Back o’ Skiddaw’. 8 5 3 9 4 3 2 10 3 2 4 2 11 5 1 8 10 6 1 1 7 1 2 Start/Finish: Keswick Leisure Pool (GR NY270237) Swinside Circuit Distance: 6 miles (10km) Route details overleaf Grade: Short - Easy. Relatively flat cycling on smooth tracks with no ROUTE route-finding challenges. Suitable for 9 all bikes. Refreshments: Keswick, Threlkeld 3 Parking: Car parking available at the Old Railway Station. 4 The Borrowdale Bash 4 The Old Railway Line Some of Britain’s most famous landscapes lie to the south of Keswick. It is around Derwentwater and the Borrowdale Valley that various and Castlerigg Stone Circle Lakeland visitors including Wordsworth, Byron and Coleridge spent much of their time trying to capture what they saw in poetry and paint. Until the 1960s, Keswick had its own railway station and a daily rail service. Others such as the outdoor Victorian eccentric Millican were based here These days, the Old Railway Line has been turned into a popular car-free to escape ‘the rat race’ and find a challenge in a new sport called rock walking and cycling route between Keswick and Threlkeld. The route climbing! includes beautiful wooded river scenes which open out into dramatic views of the surrounding fells with easy access to the historic landscape of the A combination of ancient woodland, quiet lakeside bays, steep mountain 8 area. Follow the route extension to visit Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of crags and a wild natural atmosphere makes for beautiful views and Britain’s most iconic monuments in an inspirational setting. ROUTE challenging mountain biking. The route never takes in especially remote places and always has a practical escape option, but don’t be fooled; the sheer combination of steep climbing, technical descending and the breathtaking scenery around every corner will leave a lasting memory. 1 Leaving Keswick, follow the old railway Route to Castlerigg Stone Circle This route is best completed in a clockwise direction. 5 line for 5km. It crosses an elevated (Not suitable for very young children; wooden walkway, has superb riverside some ascent/descent and cycling along scenery, various information points, seats narrow country lanes) 3 and shelters. There are a number of gates, interesting bridges, and then a 4 Towards the end of the old railway Start at the Tourist Information Centre tunnel. The river meanders back and line, just before the last ‘upturned’ bridge in the Market Square (enquire about Start/Finish: Keswick Tourist forth as the line cuts through the which leads to the A66, turn R through prevailing weather conditions before you Information Centre (GR NY266234) mountain landscape with a compelling a bridle gate (GR NY314248) onto a set off) (GR NY266234). 6 Distance: 17 miles (28km) echo before emerging at an ‘inverted’ short stretch of permissive single track passing under a flyover which carries 1 Take the exit from Market Square Grade: Hard - Challenge. metal bridge and on to a narrow tarmac the A66. Take care on a short slippery signed ‘to the Lake’ and walk along the Suitable for mountain bikes only track that joins and runs alongside the street for 100m. Begin the ride as you main A66 Keswick to Penrith road (GR descent. Refreshments: Keswick, Key to route descriptions pass George Fisher Outdoor Shop and NY314248). 5 After 300m emerge on to a minor continue for another 100m to a Watendlath, Rosthwaite, Grange, R = right 7 2 After a short distance follow the track road and turn R (GR NY315247). Cycle roundabout. Portinscale L = left SA = straight ahead/across L away from the A66 onto a lane which for 1km (0.6m) past Burns Farm then 2 Continue S on the B5289 Borrowdale Parking: Car parking available in jct = junction leads to the village of Threlkeld and two another 0.5km (0.3m) to Naddle Bridge road for 3km (2m).