Is this moon on a stick? Heading to Ambleside at the weekend and taking the bikes. The kids are too young for big hills (so wrynose is out) so looking for a more family friendly suggestion. quiet roads or easy tracks, around 5 miles or so. Any suggestions?

what age? Ferry from Bowness then ride around Claife would be my suggestion. Either just along the lake shore out and back, or over the back with the climb from the north side and the descent past the tarns back to Sawrey for buns.

7 and 9 but not the most resilient kids….

Go through the park, over the bridge and down the road to Rydal (stop to play on the stepping stones). Head up to the caves when you get to the car park – they may need to push this bit.

stop for an ice cream on the way back, then have a play in the park before going to the pub.

7 and 9 but not the most resilient kids….

In which case, sc-xc’s suggestion is much better. Can’t think of much even out Grizedale way which doesn’t involve much climbing. Maybe park at Moor Top and construct a little loop out from that which doesn’t lose too much height?

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/MTBz-foldinteriorp1(A3).pdf/$file/MTBz-foldinteriorp1(A3).pdf

Goosey Foot Tarn Trail off here, or how about starting at Moor Top, heading to the visitor centre (mostly downhill), and you head back up to get the the car while they have an ice cream and muck about in the play area?

The loughrigg terrace loop has some lovely bits in it. Probably best as an out and back towards the terrace from rydal

You can get from Ambleside to grasmere by using the back road towards rydal caves. When you go through the gate at rydal water stay close to the lake shore, and the track will now take you all the way to the bottom of red bank, and from there it’s a quick spin on the road to grasmere. It’s a new bridleway that’s just been put in and is very kid friendly.
Another option is to park at skelwith bridge hotel, and follow the river up to Elterwater and back. Again kid friendly and flat.

There’s an easy cycleway between Skelwith Bridge and Elterwater. It’s been extended beyond Elterwater towards Langdale. Traffic (but not walker) free with Chester’s cafe at S Bridge and pub in Elterwater. Much more parking at Elterwater.

Go through the park, over the bridge and down the road to Rydal (stop to play on the stepping stones). Head up to the caves when you get to the car park – they may need to push this bit.

stop for an ice cream on the way back, then have a play in the park before going to the pub.

Did this, thanks. Left the bikes at the car park though and had a long stroll around ending up in the caves.

There’s an easy cycleway between Skelwith Bridge and Elterwater. It’s been extended beyond Elterwater towards Langdale. Traffic (but not walker) free with Chester’s cafe at S Bridge and pub in Elterwate

Did this as well yesterday. was beautiful and perfect for the kids.

Thanks a lot!