Can anyone tell/show me the best way to get to and ride Nan Bield? I hear it's a great descent - just need to know how to incorporate it into a decent route. Maybe a couple of different length options too please, if there are any. Thanks v much.
I did it last year based on a MBR route guide. When I read "quite steep" in their description I didnt realise that actually meant carrying the bike for half an hour to climb the pass as it was barely walkable.....the section of route before it as well was too much to walk in quite a few places. The descent from the top was good however and I think the earlier one down Gatescarth or something was also brilliant. I have a gpx file at home somewhere I can email if interested
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]Gatescarth(?) descent[/url]
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]Nan Bield....[/url]
[url= 
]Descent after Nan Bield, follow it into the distance...[/url]
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2647/3989384955_7da017410e_o.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-lowe/3989384955/ ]Gatescarth & Nan Bield[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/dave-lowe/ ]lowey.com[/url], on Flickr
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Cheers for these. Happy to carry up, and I'm hoping it's a steep, challenging but fun descent.
Lowey - how long would that loop take, very roughly?
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/3924231990_6da349393f.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ir_bandito/3924231990/ ]P9130066[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/ir_bandito/ ]ir_bandito[/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/3923449209_cd68c60aba.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ir_bandito/3923449209/ ]P9130073[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/ir_bandito/ ]ir_bandito[/url], on Flickr
How longs a piece of string mate.
Fitness, weather, ground conditions... etc.
I would be looking at 6 hours 7 to be on the safe side.
Know what you mean. Looking at recent conditions, we'll be on the slow side. Thanks for your help.
Same route as what I did which took about 6 hours with quite a few photo stops although I had to bail out onto the road for the last few miles as I was running late to meet someone
Start at Mardale Head, ride and hike up to Nan Bield via Small Water. Down from Nan Bield into Kentmere, a real long classic fun descent! Up and down Sadgill to Gatesgarth Bottom, then up to Gatesgarth pass, good technical riding followed by a thrilling downhill back to Mardale Head. Have done this ride a few times, always brilliant!
It is very exposed at points on that route and you are quite a way from roads etc so pack decent clothing etc...
If your up for a bit of a challange how about 4 passes in one day?. Start off at ings just north of stavley up past dubs reservoir then up and over garbun pass. Drop down into Kentmere along high lane then take the bridleway that drops you into sadgill. Over the bridge then turn left up the valley to gatesgarth pass. Drop down to Hawswater then the big push/carry up Nan bield. Enjoy the long and technical decent down the Kentmere valley then on to low lane. Finally retrace your steps back over garbun pass. Only 21 miles long but with over 5500ft of climbing it should not be underestimated. Took me just over 6 hours to do about 3 months ago.
A few pics of the day:
Top of garbun
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Sadgill
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Halfway up gatesgarth
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Small water looking up nan bield
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Top of nan bield looking down the Kentmere valley
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Another (albeit cheeky) option is to start from Troutbeck, head up High Street, cut across into the top of Nan Bield, descend to Kentmere and then over Garburn Pass back to Troutbeck.
Grass 😉