Planning on riding Grizedale (non-TC bits) tomorrow from Windermere via the ferry - I've seen on old threads that there is a descent from Sawrey to the ferry on the return leg that cuts out the road bit. However, I can't quite figure out what they're on about as they reference a bridle way on the left after the Sawrey Arms, which Google doesn't think exists. Does anyone know if it's meant to be the bridleway after the cuckoo brow inn that takes you up and over towards bass how?
Original thread here
I think the previous thread is talking about taking the climb from near the Tower Bank Arms up past Moss Eccles Tarn and then dropping down to Belle Grange from Guide Posts. That cuts out a short easy section of road, but you still have a bit of track to climb before you reach the ferry.
If you're in a hurry, the BW by the Cuckoo Brow Inn is the other choice.
Alternatively, you could take the Breasty Haw/Great Wood descent, followed by the Hole in the Wall which pops you out on the Newby Bridge/Hawkshead road. Take a right, follow the BW along Cunsey Beck to the lakeshore road and head for the ferry from there.
There is a bridle way, or is it a footpath? I'm not sure. It comes out on the road near the big bend towards the top of the climb up from the ferry. It's not really worth the effort. If you are going that way I'd just stick to the road. It will ge quicker and easier.
Thanks both - martinhutch, is hole in the wall the one that starts at high dale park?
Sarawak, I think I know the one you mean - if it's the one I'm thinking of it's a footpath and wouldn't be worth the hassle of getting through the (multiple) gates on it.
@ebennet - after the Great Wood descent when you get to the road, turn left and in about 200 metres there's a BW on the right. It's a vehicle track for most of the ascent then singletrack through the "hole in the wall" down to the Newby Bridge road.
@martinhutch's way is the way I'd head back from Grizedale.
Yep, not the one at High Dale Park, the descent from that would be unrewarding. It's the next BW up from it, marked Long Slack or Devil's Gallop. Cross a stream on doubletrack, climb up into the woods with some nice technical climbing on the way, then a good descent to the road.
There is a FP which heads from the junction on Cuckoo Brow lane directly through Scar Wood to the station - steep, a bit more tech in places, but likely has more unavoidable walkers, so on balance I'd do the Harrow Slack descent instead.
I love a good day picking off all the Grizedale BWs.
Either come out of grizedale on the fox or breadth haw then down devils gallop long slack hang a right on the road then left down great ore gate to Cunsey then pootle along the road or from Far Sawrey along the road to Cuckoo brow then on the bridleway northwards straight down to the lake then back along the lake path.
Both long slack and the cuckoo brow routes are top downhills. So either is good.
Thanks guys, that's really helpful - shall see how the legs go, might try and pick both of gkeefe's options off 😀. The wife and the rest of the family want a lazy morning so the limiting factor will be fitness!
Is the ferry working again? It was out last time I was there.
I think the route is part of the pedal north c2c route as I did something like you mention when I did it. You can download the gpx files from their website.
It's back on, I believe.
But the buggers have doubled the fare for bikes, by the look of it.
Yes it’s now £2 for bikes 🙁
Yeah, used it the other day to do Claife heights. Bit steep, but then I did have it all to myself at 6:50 am! Had to share with a car on the way back, the cheek of it...
