Hoping to do a flying visit to the Lakes at end of the month as part of a northern tour, to compensate for our missed Pyrenees trip. Probably have 2 or 3 days to ride there. What would be the must do routes (rough ideas are fine) and where would you camp (small farm campsites definitely preferable to large touristy places, even if a bit out of the way).
All info gratefully received
Cheers
wf
I would recommend a stay at Chapel House Campsite, Stonethwaite and that you ride something that includes Wharnscale BW.
This could be that end of the Borrowdale Bash by cycling back towards Keswick to pick it up then adding Wharnscale on before picking up the loop again.
Or the 4 passes. There are better trails in the Lakes but its a grand day out and includes Wharnscale.
Another choice from there is a loop Nobeer gave me that goes up to Angle Tarn and takes in the last descent of the 4 Passes but from higher up.
Ullock Pike is also up that way. I need to do this again one day and see if I can do a better job of the loose, drifty opener...
I think you've got my email address if you need more info on any of these options. Did you get the HB part of the trip sorted because if not then I suggest a day ant Wharncliffe instead.
HI Mugboo
thanks for the reply. Some good pointers there. We have a load of stuff lined up for HB but are still flexible. Will have a look at Wharncliffe now and see if we can incorporate it for a day.
Extended Borrowdale bash, how far you extend is up to you!
Keswick-castlrigg-walla crag-ashness bridge-watendlath-Rosthwaite-langstrath-angle tarn-sprinkling tarn-styhead tarn-seathwaite
Then it's decision time. If you've had enough, finish the bash up and over castle crag, hungry for more? - up over the top to do Wharnscale, then through rigg beck back to Keswick.
I absolutely love Nan bield via Kentmere horseshoe as well, once up from Garburn, the views and riding along the tops to thornthwaite and round to the top of nan bield is just sublime.
NW fells are awesome too, so many options, and the quietest of the fells too, no worries or hassle riding FP's.
Enjoy sir.
You will need a guide for Wharncliffe but its better than HB from a choice point of view. It has that rocky tech (built by the same lads as the HB tech you fancy), old school DH and lots and lots of new school with jumps to challenge most people. And best of all you won't get shouted at by miserable NIMBY's..
+1 for Borrowdale Bash and wharnscale bottom
Helvellyn has numerous options (Sticks pass descent has been ruined by fix the fells as good as turning it into a pavement).
Garburn pass, I like it as an out and back from Ambleside to Kentmere in the morning, then Ambleside/Elterwater/ Loughrigg terrace for an easy afternoon.
Stake pass from Langdale -Borrowdale - Langdale, finish with a pint in the old dungeon ghyll.
Ullock pike’s brilliant, warm up with an ascent of skiddaw first if you fancy a tough hike a bike, do it late in the day though, ullock’s a footpath!
Ullswater singletrack.
I like the campsite at Grizedale Farm. Nice pub just along the road and loads of great trails pass right by the farm or very close by. Breasty Haw, I'll say no more.
There's a good days worth of decent riding in Grizedale and it's fairly reliable whatever the weather. And Breasty Haw.
Camp at Syke Farm in Buttermere. Literally a field with a small toilet block next to two pubs.
Cycle from Buttermere up and over Rigg Beck, BW over to Braithwaite up to Winlatter, climb the south loop, at the top, climb the fence and carry up Grizedale Pike, Hopegill Head, then head over to Whitless pike and finish back to Buttermere with one of the best descents in the lakes.
Numerous options to extend. The NW fells are just bloody brilliant.
The NW fells are just bloody brilliant.
Amen to that big Fella.
Duddon Valley. There’s camping in the valley. Wallabarrow descent, Simpson’s ground to Seathwaite descent and Walna Scar rd. pub is shut atm though.
Do Grizedale if wet. You can do two days there and on Claife. Another day on Walna Scar. Camp at Abbot Park. Really quiet site. short walk to Manor House pub at Oxen Park -good food. Food also good at White Hart in Bouth. A short but entertaining ride away.
Cheers for all the help and info, plenty to choose from there. We are definitely hoping to avoid travelling from South Wales to the Lakes to ride trail centres (unless the weather is really minging), though there does appear to be some tasty off-piste stuff at Whinlatter that may be worth a look. One of our group has already asked to include the Nan Bield loop, so that is a must. Then maybe the Borrodale bash loop followed by the NW Peaks/Whinlatter loop finishing in Buttermere. That should do it. Just hoping for a great Indian Summer now.
Plenty of non trail centre stuff in Grizedale. In fact hardly any trail centre at all. Good if the weather’s shite.
For the best big mountain riding, NW lakes around Keswick / Buttermere / Borrowdale area, no question.
Nan bield is good, and given direction you are travelling from could be good on the way in or out, but there is more / better in NW lakes to explore, IMO.