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Was thinking the same about halls fell myself..good without the bike!I'd like to witness some of these descent's being claimed..dab central I reckon.
Not quite in the Lakes but little Dunfell (at the high point on the Pennines) to Blencarn is a 3 mile descent with no gates,and now is the time to do it before the bracken gets high and its pretty dry here too.
Theres a handy road onto Great Dunfell
TomB- Blencathra from the top, along the ridge to the east then down the zig zags that you can see on Google Earth to Scales Tarn and round to Mousethwaite Combe. That's a good 'un.
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Dunno about Hall's Fell. May have to have a go at it to see.
Mole - not all of them are 100% rideable but certainly the ones mentioned on this thread that I know of are 95% rideable and the bits inbetween are so good they far outweigh the small amount of pushing.
Not seen it mentioned here, but I'd put Beinn Fhada (Kintail) in my top 10 - and I've ridden many of the above...
I think this is the longest (in terms of height loss) rideable singletrack descent in the UK. About 1015m of descent entirely on single track and I think 100% rideable although I didn't clean it all on the day.
edit - some maintain Ben Nevis is 100% rideable but I think that only applies to 0.01% of the biking population!
munrobiker - without sounding like a stalker, I don't suppose you're on Instagram? Your pictures are bloody ace!
Coire Leachavie, Gleann na Sguaib and the descent from the Bealach Duibh Leac are all good and a little off the beaten track. The descent from Coire Mhic Fhearchair to Glen Torridon is superb but pretty hard.
fathomer- I am but sadly I've not taken any mountain pics since I got it in November. You're better off waiting for my "Year in Mountains" threads-
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/2015-a-year-in-mountains
All the albums are on google photos and public.
little Dunfell (at the high point on the Pennines) to Blencarn
I assume you mean down Wildboar Scar? That is a blinder.
There's a cracking way down from the Silverband Mine that we used in the North Pennines MTB Marathon the other year, not on the bridleway. Follow the route of the aerial tramway pylons, then swing north to go through the bridleway gate. Once through follow the sheeptrack alongside the broken wall to join the track at the junction of Eller Gill and Crowdundle Beck. Misses out the boggy section on Red Carle. I have it on gpx if anyone wants it.
All these look great, but do any of them allow you to ride up them? I cannot abide hike-a-biking and find it completely ruins the experience no matter how good the descent is at the end of it. I don't mind a little walking/carrying but it should be a minority of the time.
munrobiker - Member
fathomer- I am but sadly I've not taken any mountain pics since I got it in November. You're better off waiting for my "Year in Mountains" threads-http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/2015-a-year-in-mountains
All the albums are on google photos and public.
Ah, fair enough. Seen all the threads, some of the best visually on here!
All these look great, but do any of them allow you to ride up them? I cannot abide hike-a-biking and find it completely ruins the experience no matter how good the descent is at the end of it. I don't mind a little walking/carrying but it should be a minority of the time.
Then my friend, you must reconcile yourself to never riding the best descents in Scotland. I can't really speak for the lakes.
Spin +1000000
The best descent in the UK require some testicular fortitude, carrying, and sometimes even a bit of scrambling.
I love being in the mountains, so it doesn't bother me whether I'm pedalling or carrying. To be honest, If I couldn't mountain bike, I'd spend my time in the hills on foot, not road biking.
you must reconcile yourself to never riding the best descents in Scotlan
Indeed, it's the main reason I hardly ever ride in the lakes despite them being on the doorstep. Never been able to get my head round going for a walk with my bike, especially if I have to carry the damn thing.
Lakes descents without hike a bike are tricky- Skiddaw is rideable to the summit if you're fit enough (I'm not!). You can ride to the top of Wharnscale descent via honister, and can use the whinlatter south climb to gain a lot of height on Grisedale Pike, so you only have to carry the top steep section.
Dazh you have my sympathy. I adore the Lakes and have had some fantastic days riding, climbing and walking there, but hike-a-bike is possibly my least favourite outdoor activity. I think I was having a bit of an off-day, but my recent hike up Nan BIeld was not rewarded with the top quality descent I hoped for.
I confess I've been lucky enough to do some awesome riding in Spain that may have made me a bit spoilt when it comes to quality descents without the hike-a-bike 😀
Dazh: the descents shown above are on tracks/trails that came in to being long before bikes were even invented. Even the bridleway designation appeared decades before the first mountain bike. So the fact that a modern MTB can negotiate most of them is a happy coincidence, for other, similar, tracks to be capable of being ridden uphill would be frankly amazing.
There is going to be some hard work in the mountains wherever you go. My worst HaB was on the Glen Golly loop out of the Scottish Wild Trails (vol 1) book - a couple of hours hiking, carrying, pushing over peat hags to get to a washed out descent that lasted about ten minutes (even for me mincing down).
All these look great, but do any of them allow you to ride up them?
The classic Torridon loop (as opposed to the lollipop) actually has a minimal amount of hike-a-bike and pushing up.
Erm, that's it from me though.
I cannot abide hike-a-biking and find it completely ruins the experience no matter how good the descent is at the end of it.
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See that smile? I know what's coming 🙂
*like*
I cannot abide hike-a-biking and find it completely ruins the experience no matter how good the descent is at the end of it.
With that statement you have just excluded some of the finest riding in the UK. A ride without practising the Noble art of bike portage is not a proper day out.
I'll be doing shitloads of it tomorrow up a big lakes hill. Expect pictures of a happy smiling biker just like Bandito to follow.
Dazh
Have you considered taking up golf instead? 😀
I'm afraid if you don't like hike a bikes, you really are going to miss out on the best descents unfortunately.
Moving to somewhere with lifts may be the better option! Ha! Ha!
I find I really enjoy hike a bikes as they allow me to take in my surroundings more with the bonus of a fun descent or high level traverse to look forward to. It's definitely a mindset you either have or don't, I guess.
Cheers
Sanny
I know what's coming
I should add, in this case we turned around and the results are here:
I'm afraid if you don't like hike a bikes, you really are going to miss out on the best descents unfortunately.
Yes, quite aware of that. One of the main attractions of mountain biking for me is being able to access remote areas and cover more ground than you couldn't do on foot. If all you're doing is taking your bike for a walk to access a descent then I'd rather go somewhere else where I can ride both up and down even if the descents aren't as good. I've done an awful lot of walking and climbing in the mountains and dragging a bike along spoils the experience somewhat.
It's definitely a mindset you either have or don't, I guess.
Yup, something I've never achieved despite many attempts 🙁
Anyone kind enough to offer route advice, what to expect, etc. in regards to riding Angle Tarn?
I thought I'd read you go up through Hartsop and climb/hike to The Knott, then traverse across to Angle Tarn then down to Glenridding keeping the higher track line?
Then round Ullswater and back up through Boredale before descending Boredale Hause again.
If we've got any legs left we're going up to Keppel Cove and down Sticks but rather than the Quarry is there another worthy option? I thought I'd read Glencoyne further up this thread.
I've ridden Ullswater and Sticks before but both the usual routes, down through the quarry for Sticks and Bedafell to Martindale for Ullswater respectively.
Not tech in the slightest, but the bridleway off Great Sca Fell is brilliant fun. Longest (legal)downhill in the county...
As part of an extreme edition of the Skiddaw figure of 8 ,its a brilliant day out. Best done in dry conditions as there is a bit of hike a bike/bog trot , I prefer to go up via the Lingy hut (mostly rideable to there), other routes available.
Gavgas or lowey off this parish had a brilliant blog about it some years back....
You;ve got a bloody good Memory Senior J. Was a cracking day.
[url= http://dairyofanineptmountainbiker.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/maybe-god-loves-me-after-all-skiddaw.html ]Skiddaw win![/url]
[quote=dazh ]If all you're doing is taking your bike for a walk to access a descent then I'd rather go somewhere else where I can ride both up and down even if the descents aren't as good. I've done an awful lot of walking and climbing in the mountains and dragging a bike along spoils the experience somewhat.
Have to say I pretty much agree with this. I will [i]very occasionally[/i] give in to try a specific descent but I'd rather be pedalling all day than pushing or carrying a bike. If I want a good walk/climb in the mountains then I tend to leave the bike behind.
Kingofbiscuits- that route you describe is a peach. Lovely singletrack along satura crag to angle tarn, and a cracking descent down from boredale hause as well. Good reward for a very small climb.
it really depends if the descent justifies the hike a bike IMHO
If we've got any legs left we're going up to Keppel Cove and down Sticks but rather than the Quarry is there another worthy option? I thought I'd read Glencoyne further up this thread.
you can break left at the quarry and descent seldom seen- FOOTPATH- - it was ok but cannot be brilliant as i cannot remember it in much detail
Not done the quarry though so I cannot compare
Re the hike-a-bike: The Southern 'Gorms (so the hills between Deeside and the Angus glens)are some of my favourites. There are several ridable climbs up onto the high plateau and some great descents (Kilbo obviously). I have been down the mentally steep stalkers path down the north face of Monega Hill (I have pics but am struggling to post pictures on here...have no problem on other forums!! I was on my bike most of the way down but "riding it all" would be stretching it a little!
An Socach (Glen Shee)is a partial push up then along the ridge to Sgor Mor and the steep singletrack descent to Baddoch on the A93.
Sgurr Ban in Fisherfield is amazing ridden as a loop from Loch Bhraoin to Loch Nid, push up the slabs to 800m, walk to the summit then ride the stunning mile of perfect bedrock back to the base (gets pretty tech lower down with one 6ft drop I didn't fancy); loop continues to the Sheneval landy track and Dundonnel. Road back to start.
IfI could post pics I would! 🙁
Seldom Seen was a great trail, still is, but I got a tad peed off riding it on monday as the top section has had rock bags dropped off all over it, looks like its going to become another ruined trail by the LDNP. I'd love to know why they insist on this, not like its a super busy path!
Some great photos and info in this thread though - think its time for a mission up Skiddaw and down Ullock tomorrow 😀
If all you're doing is taking your bike for a walk to access a descent then I'd rather go somewhere else where I can ride both up and down even if the descents aren't as good. I've done an awful lot of walking and climbing in the mountains and dragging a bike along spoils the experience somewhat.
Yep, I'm another with that opinion. Have done it a few times, more so when I was young and thought that mountain biking had to involve mountains, but have come to the conclusion that I prefer riding to pushing or carrying ! And there's always the fear that when you've done all that work, you'll find you can't do the descent (maybe that just me and my incompetence/fear). One hike that was worthwhile (and legal) was High Street - the descent (to the north) isn't that technical, but it is long and you get fantastic views along the ridge.
Rewinding back a couple of pages here - has anyone looked at Beinn Fhada, and actually ridden from the top i.e. on the faint footpath that comes across from Meall a Fhuarain Mhoir heading E towards Beinn Fhada, then heads down into Coire an Sgairne before joining up the track which is described nicely by Stace and Sanny (I think) earlier.
I only know the lakes...Low
Parkamoor
The Fox
Breasty Haw
Seven Sisters (All in Grizedale)
Nan Bield either way!
Colthouse (Claife)
Can someone tell me which is Seven Sisters ?
And I don't think I've done all the BWs at Claife apart from Colthouse, so thanks for that tip !
Having been up nan bield this weekend I can't say I can see what the fuss is about.
Heading south to North if you've got the skills/guts good luck to you and enjoy it but dragging my self & bike up that I had no urge to play dodge the ramblers and ride down it and would expect more carry than ride to little water. Would have been rideable from there assuming you don't have a rear mech.
Heading north/south the descent (IMHO) was definitely not worth the hike/carry up. I was having a complete mince/mare of a day but even then it was a section of loose switchbacks which were a bit precarious on an xl 29er (I should point out loose rock of the poured-down-to-prevent-erosion-kind is about my least favourite riding) followed by a big long section of fairly dull "single" track with a single comedy drop off and a rock roll.
Helvellyn and down dollywaggon was a much better ride.
Of course YMMV.
Lochnagar summit is at least 95% rideable in dry conditions going up from Braemar, if you take the clockwise'@' approach-
Braemar, Invercauld, Balochbuie forest to Connachat cottage, bypass Gelder Shiel and climb to the pass at 700m. South to Glas Allt, then NW to summit. For me, the better descent of here is to go west across the White Mounth, skirt clockwise around Carn an t'Sagairt Mor then descend to Callater, which is an absolute peach of a trail with a great variety of features and challenges.
Mind though, it does have to be properly dry to be able to ride that southern section towards Glas Allt. Which it is at present... The climb that follows up the burnside is way more rideable than you might expect, with only short staircase sections disrupting progress.
Thanks for the other inspirations guys- I've not ridden in Kintail but will be there anyway later in the year, so may try to check out Fhada. Sgorr Gaoith is another personal favourite, especially the stalkers path on the W side where 830 vertical meters of singletrack are available straight off the summit.. just go south to the first bealach, then curve W, NW and follow your nose down the path on the ridge.
Having been up nan bield this weekend I can't say I can see what the fuss is about.
Lakes honeypot area on a sunny Bank Holiday? Bonkers.
No wonder you are on a downer about it.
Lakes honeypot area on a sunny Bank Holiday? Bonkers.
Not a soul passed on (our) way down so nothing to do with the choice of time to visit - if anything it would have been more enjoyable for the sunshine and the knowledge there were two more days of the weekend to go.
By contrast the first time I "rode" cave dale in the peaks was a sunny Bank Holiday and impassable with walkers and dogs but I came away "thinking that would be great, I should make a point of doing that loop again when it's not going to be so busy." and duly did and it was.
Nan bield for me fell into "would have been a great hike, it wasn't a great bike ride" though admittedly it would be more fun the other way around if I were capable of riding most of it, which I'm not.
has anyone looked at Beinn Fhada, and actually ridden from the top i.e. on the faint footpath that comes across from Meall a Fhuarain Mhoir heading E towards Beinn Fhada, then heads down into Coire an Sgairne
The path that runs round the rim of the corrie isn't much on the ground but you can ride down the NW ridge from the summit of Beinn Fhada then down into Coire Na Sgairne. This is what I was referring to further up the thread.
For (shorter), lakes descents that you can also ride to the top of, I would suggest the Duddon Valley area, just don't both with Walna scar. They are all rocky and a fun test, just not as committing as those listed above, but all rideable mans you don't have to carry up!. They also have the advantage that even on a bank holiday it's quiet, and relatively walker free. Nice bakery / shops / cafes in Broughton, and a very convenient pub.......
Park head road (high kiln cross down to the pub), stone star but start up by the tri (just keep going up!), the natty bridge descent into the top end of Broughton mills (use the fire road to get to the top after traversing around stevensons / hartleys ground), wallabarrow, and Black Combe (just possible to climb up via the Bootle bridleway, then descent south). You can loupe this via the Corney fell bridleway but be very careful with the washed out middle section, it's lethal at present - deep wheel trapping gullies....
Dangeorbrain - sorry you didn't enjoy Nan Beild. I think a lot of the rides being recommended here are very technical and demand a reasonably high standard of rocky trail skill to negotiate. The OP asked for the best and to most that means toughest and most exciting, and as the post asked about the Lakes and Scotland that means big rocky trails like the north of Nan Beild. They won't be for everyone, I love them but then I'm pretty crap at riding twisty trails in the woods.
Anyway, I can thoroughly recommend Binnean Mor above Kinlochleven. Rode it last weekend in blazing sunshine. Mostly rideable up, the last hundred metres of ascent to the top are boring but the rest of the descent is amazing. Not mad technical either, just flowy and fun.
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Having just spent 4hours riding the trails I recommended, in the lakes, at the end of half term, in beautiful, blazing sunshine, 26degrees C....
I met two walkers, two horses, and two guys on riding. One of whom was down from Keswick.... ! Massive day out to be riding Park head road!
Did a loop yesterday from Glen Isla up via Craig Lair to Mayar; down the Kilbo Path to Glen Doll; up Jock's Road to gain Tom Buidhe, Cairn of Claise then onwards to Druim Mor and down the Caderg into Glen Isla. The Caderg has a bit of a reputation but it isn't that hard (the situation is immense though!). In contrast there are still a couple of bits on the Kilbo I can't ride and Jock's Road (which I stupidly pushed up; looks amazing in descent) must be harder still.
I think a good loop here would be: Glen Callater, up the LRT to Claise, along the walker's path to Tolmount, down the grass than Jock's Rd into Glen Doll. Up Clova, Bachnagairn, Broadcairn and across to Carn an t-Sagairt Mor to descend back to Callater. Couple of amazing descents with only the Bachnagairn-Broadcairn leg requiring pushing.
Chickenman, that second loop is pretty bang on to the one i did yesterday. Glen Doll - Bachnagairn - Broadcairn - Cairn Bannoch - Carn an Sagairt Mor - Loch Callater - (big mistake time) - Jocks road to Knaps of fafernie. Holy bat**** i made a mistake on that one. Those 5kms were an absolute nightmare. Then descending down Jocks road back to Glen Doll. But thats what adventure is all about. It cant all be awesome descents and sunshine.
All in it could be a belter of a loop but from Loch Callater i cant figure out how to get out of Glen Callater.
Mac: Southwards from Loch Callater up the LRT to Cairn of Claise then the walker's paths to Tolmount (toggle between satellite images + 25k OS maps on Bing maps) then you'd need to ride down the grass to the top of Jock's Road; not done that last bit but it's only a few hundred metres.
Ah i see where you are at. That looks like it should work well 🙂