Exploring the Lake District by Bike
The Lake District is home to an incredible network of bridleways, linking quiet valleys, open fells, forests and some of the most spectacular views in the area. Originally created as routes for horses, these rights of way now offer some fantastic opportunities for exploring the Lakes by bike.
There’s something for every rider, from easier trails to more technical and challenging sections. Conditions and terrain can vary considerably, so it’s worth knowing what to expect before setting off.
That’s where we can help. As a local bike shop offering bike hire and route advice, we can point you towards the best trails for your experience and help you choose a route that suits the type of riding you’re looking for.
So grab a bike, head out onto the bridleways and discover a different side of the Lake District.
Keep reading for some more in depth explanations of the Bridleways, or find all of the routes here
Grizedale
The Grizedale forest itself has a few brilliant bridleways within it that can be covered in about a days riding! There are 3 in particular that stand out, hich the route below takes in.
Lawson's Park
Lawson's Park sits towards the easier end of the Lake District's bridleway network when it comes to technical riding. The upper section is rougher and more technical, before the trail gradually flattens out and becomes easier as it heads north.
The route eventually brings you down towards the shores of Coniston, where it joins a road. From here, head north to reach Coniston village, or turn south towards the more secluded shores of the lake around Machell's Coppice.
There are several options for climbing back into the forest. The easiest is via the fire roads, although there is also another bridleway and a road climb for those looking for an alternative.
A great option for riders looking to explore the area without taking on some of the more technical trails around the Lakes.
The Three Witches
The Three Witches — known by a few different names depending on who you ask — is made up of three distinct sections, separated by fire roads crossing the trail as they descend from Parkamoor towards the road just south of Satterthwaite.
Rather than taking the fire roads when you reach Parkamoor, you can follow the bridleway out of the forest for some fantastic views across Coniston. It's well worth the detour on a clear day.
Each of the three sections has its own character. The top section features several short uphill pushes where keeping your momentum is key. They're particularly good fun on an e-bike.
The middle section is the roughest of the three, with plenty of rocks and a variety of lines to choose from. It's a good section for riders who enjoy picking their way through more technical terrain.
The bottom section starts relatively mellow, with an easy-going first half and a small uphill section. As you descend, the trail gradually becomes looser and rougher, eventually finishing with larger loose rocks as you emerge into the car park and lay-by at the bottom.
Together, the three sections make for a varied and rewarding ride, with plenty of changes in terrain and some excellent views along the way.
Breasty Haw
Breasty Haw is another trail made up of three distinct sections, with a good mix of climbing, technical terrain and steeper descending.
The first section climbs steeply out of Satterthwaite on the road, with some easier options to either side for those who would rather avoid the steepest gradient. The climb eventually brings you onto a fire road at the top.
Cross the fire road and the trail continues into a flatter section, with a mixture of rocky terrain and off-camber sections. These rocks can become particularly slippery and tricky in wet conditions, so take care when the weather turns.
Cross the next fire road and you'll reach the top section of the descent. This starts relatively straightforward, with a more direct line and an easy rock roll before the trail changes character further down.
After crossing the stream, there's a short, punchy climb before the bottom section begins. From here, things get considerably steeper and looser, with a mixture of tight and open turns requiring good line choice and control.
Breasty Haw offers plenty of variety in a relatively short trail, with the difficulty building as you work your way through each section. As with many of the Lake District's bridleways, conditions can make a significant difference — particularly on the rocky and steeper sections.
Find the route that does all 3 of these in one ride here
For lunches in the forest we can't recommend Café Ambio enough! Check them out here. There's also some other great little pubs and Cafés in Satterthwaite and Hawkshead if you want to go a little further afield.
Grizedale surrounding areas
Claife heights is easily accessible from Grizedale if you want a slightly longer pedal out and to go exploring a bit further and see some more of the lakes. There are multiple fun bridleways criss-crossing the heights overlooking Windermere lake. We have a few of them linked up into routes starting from Grizedale on our Komoot tours page such as the route below.
Many of the routes you take on Claife will drop you down alongside Windermere. Mostly quite close, or if not a quick flat ride to the ferry across to Bowness, which can be a fun little trip. It also allows you to hop across and grab some mid ride food at one of the many great spots to eat in Bowness.
Walna Scar
Walna Scar is a bona fide Lake District classic! It's famous for its steep ascent, but the hard work is well worth it for the fantastic descent on the other side.
We have a route starting from our Grizedale shop that takes in Walna Scar as part of a bigger Lake District epic. If you want to make it a little more manageable, you can park in Torver and ride just the Walna Scar section, making for a great bite-sized adventure without committing to the full route.
Find the full route here
Ings
Our Ings shop is based near the Kentmere valley which is full of great bridleways and is well known for having some fantastic Bridleway riding both going in and out of it. Most notable of these are Garburn pass, Gatesgarth pass and also Nan Bield. HP plantation is a short but also honourable mention for descents around the valley.
Nan Bield
The Nan Bield ride from our Ings shop is a proper Lake District epic, taking you through the Kentmere valley and up to the famous Nan Bield Pass before descending the classic switchbacks.
It's a big day out from Ings, with two fairly relentless climbs to tackle — first over Gatesgarth and then up towards Nan Bield itself. There are also a few smaller climbs along the way, so it's a route that rewards a good level of fitness and plenty of time.
If the full ride sounds a little daunting, you can shorten it considerably by starting further along the route and concentrating on the Gatesgarth and Nan Bield sections. You can park at the start of Gatesgarth Pass in the Longsleddale Valley at Sadgill, or start from the top of the Kentmere Valley near Kentmere Hall. The track over Shipman Knotts provides a way of linking the two valleys.
Whichever way you tackle it, the reward is some fantastic riding and the iconic descent from Nan Bield.
Kentmere Valley
The Kentmere Valley is a favourite riding area locally, offering a great variety of climbs and descents across a range of difficulties. There's plenty here to keep you busy, whether you're looking for technical riding, challenging climbs or something a little more relaxed.
Garburn Pass & HP Plantation
Both descents are littered with rocks and can change considerably depending on weather and how much traffic they've seen. Even if you've ridden them before, it's worth staying alert — the lines and conditions can be very different from one visit to the next.
Three Rivers
As the name suggests, the Three Rivers route involves crossing a number of streams, making it an entertaining descent but also an interesting way to climb through the valley.
The riding offers plenty of technical interest without being relentlessly difficult, and there are stepping stones and alternative lines available if you'd rather keep your feet dry. The streams are usually shallow enough to ride through, although they can become much deeper and faster flowing during the winter months, so take extra care after periods of wet weather.
In summer, the water can be part of the fun — and a welcome opportunity to cool off. Just remember that the climbs out of the river crossings can be fairly steep!
Green Quarter to Kentmere Hall
The route from Green Quarter down towards Kentmere Hall is another enjoyable option, offering a good mixture of technical terrain without the relentless difficulty of some of the valley's rougher descents.
It can also be ridden in the opposite direction as an interesting alternative climb into the valley, giving you another way to explore the area and link up with other trails.
With its mixture of rocky descents, technical climbs, stream crossings and spectacular scenery, the Kentmere Valley is an area that can easily fill a full day of riding.
You can find all our routes from and near our Ings shop here.
For food, there are plenty of good options within Staveley village. Whether you want some award winning baked goods from More bakery, a simple café meal from Wilfs or a hearty pint and meal from the Eagle and Child. If you just want a really good coffee to perk you up Mr Duffins Coffee roasts there own and is well worth a visit! For the sweet toothed there's Kimi's Gelato too which is a great reward after a ride!
Keswick
Keswick has a couple of carparks around it that can be used to start the famous Borrowdale bash. This somewhat loop circles Derwent water sampling some of the finest fantasticly rocky Bridleways that the Borrowdale valley has to offer. This is a must do ride for the North lakes and is loved by many!
You can find other rides based from and around Keswick here
Disclaimer
The routes and rides on this page are provided for general information and inspiration only. They are our suggestions based on local knowledge and should not be treated as formal route advice or a guarantee that a route is suitable for you.
Conditions, access and trail surfaces can change, and some routes may include sections that are highly technical, unrideable, or where cycling is not permitted. It is your responsibility to check the route, access rights and current conditions before setting out, and to decide whether the route is suitable for your ability and experience.
If you choose to ride any of the routes featured on this page, you do so at your own risk and responsibility. Before setting off, make sure you have appropriate clothing and equipment, a suitable map or navigation device, and that your bike and other equipment are in good working order. We also recommend letting someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
The Lake District can be a challenging and unpredictable environment. Please ride within your abilities, be prepared for changing conditions and take appropriate precautions to help keep yourself safe and minimise the need for mountain rescue.