We are on holiday next week staying on the west edge of the Pennines (in between Penrith and Alston) and looking for some local advise on where to ride from our doorstep.

Were going to drive over to the Lake District and do the Borrowdale, Whinlatter and Grizedale as well but it would be great to have a couple of local options as well.

Not too fussed on the type of trail as long as its not tarmac 🙂

There’s some great cross country riding around Alston and Nenthead and also going the other way up to Cross Fell. Then there’s lots of good stuff around Allendale and Weardale. Grab an OS map and line up some of these (from the now out of print Beyond Hamsterley book). Someone will probably be able to link you to the route logs for it.

Cross Fell is a good ride, particularly as you’ll be able to ride from Centre Parcs without using your car.

Cheers guys, nice to know there are some good natural trails in the area. Ill get the OS maps out and definitely have a look at Cross Fell.

Steve

PS Thankfully not staying at Centre Parcs! 🙂

Cross fell up and around clockwise to Teeshead and down past Grumply Hill. Great Dun Fell road climb, not been over the back for a while but the bridleway was steadily droping into the Tees.

High Cup Nick always worth a look, ride over to Cauldren Snout. Unfortunately you’d then be off and pushing the tarmac access road where bridleway becomes footpath. And ignoring the well constructed track that takes you from the car park to the B6277. Once you’re in Cumbria the track into bottom of the valley / Tyne Head is chewed by mx’ers. I tend to stick to the main road and blast down past the mighty Yad (yes it is a ski lift on the hillside) and take the C2C into Garrigill.

Futher E and since it’s dry Allendale and Hexhamshire common, some routes shown on the map above.

Never ventured over but Crosby Ravensworth / Crosby Garrett area has a good network of bridleways. And then there’s Bowderdale and a circuit of the Howgills.