Well done for pushing on - feeling like I've hardly been out in the fells recently.
You missed out on a great descent off Barf - following the footpath down to Beckstones Gill and back into the forest is a brilliant way off the hill. If we head towards Broom Fell and Graystones, again, we'll cut back into the forest at some point and hunt out some of the enduro tracks.
Not ridden Steel Fell, but looking at the OS Map, there does seem to be a lot of small bodies of water on the summit ridge. Looks moist!
Nearby Helm Crag is a local classic - it's pretty techy in places if you ride the front, but only one bit that's super gnadgery.
And I don't think there's any gentle descending to be had anywhere nearby Red Pike!
Hi Sanny looks like you had a great day out, have ridden most of those fells, a few observations, broom fell & Lords seat are ridden often, in summer Lords to Barf in dry conditions is worthwhile, the techy descent off Barf into the forest is a highlight. Again Sale and Ling fell are a great mini loop and popular with some great singletrack, the easiest descents are great on a gravel bike connected up with minor roads from cockermouth i ride them often, Low fell above Lorton is also worth doing along the summit to the descent known as Thacktastic is a local classic.
Appreciate the local knowledge. I looked at the top section of descent off Barf and did wonder about it. However, I was on a mission for Greystones so going entirely the wrong way!
There has been a shedload of clear felling on the eastern flank of Greystones and the machinery is still there so more to come by the looks of it.
The track between Lord’s Seat and Barf has had a fair amount of work done to it. I gather that it used to be a boggy mess but there are now long sections of properly built trail meaning that it was a really rather pleasant ride between the two.
Re Helm Crag. Walked it and will be returning with the bike for sure.
Has anyone gone up the Terrace Route onto Scafell via Slight Side from Eskdale? I am planning out a route that would do that then drop off the western flank of Scafell down to the old corpse road. Having walked down it in May, I am confident that it will make for a lovely grassy descent after passing the exit of the route up Lord’s Rake. From there, I plan to ride the Illgill Head and Irton Fell ridge as that looks really rather lovely from the research I have done.
@justinbieber Re Red Pike. My plan is to ride down off it via the likes of Little Dodd and Starling Dodd so I can then head to Mellbreak and the surrounding fells. That said, I might just do that in reverse! Ha! Ha! I very much enjoyed the ridge west to east when I rode it last and it would mean that I could ride off Haystacks down via Innominate Tarn.
Re Low Fell. Which way do you go up and down? I have been looking at that one too.
Cheers
Sanny
Re Red Pike.
How much of a push and carry up via Starling Dodd was it for you? I am happy to carry the entire way but it would be good to hear if there was some riding on the ascent. Fantastic picture by the way.
Cheers
Sanny
Not ridden Scafell/Scafell Pike yet, and until now I've only really been considering it from Styhead/Esk Hause. Definitely looks interesting coming at it from the south, although with the current weather that might be one to delay until next year...
@sanny Re Low fell a nice loop is via Loweswater take the boat from the B road on N side heading up hill towards Darling Fell after 1km take a R through gate on old quarry track you are heading for the col between Darling & Low fell, the summit ridge runs N to a track with switchbacks fast but easy to Thackwaite.
Thanks for that. Really appreciate the heads up.
I will let you know how it goes when I do it. The stuff around Wasdale is
…… such a long way from anywhere that I will realistically be looking at February / March to do it unless I get a weather window and can do an overnighter down there. Watch this space. It will probably be a case of scoping out several routes in the area and doing them consecutively.
I have also been looking at the stuff west of Wasdale and the bridleway over to Ennerdale that goes near Haycock. Has anyone explored that?
Cheers
Sanny
Had a great adventure starting in Ennerdale late last year, up the valley over Black sail pass for the excellent classic trail into Wasdale along the road a bit, to head up the Nether beck bway to the col then over Haycock all a push carry. There is a walkers path going down the spur north into ennerdale just before the summit of Caw fell, this techy 600m+ singletrack descending back to Ennerdale keeps you on your toes and is a delight, well worth the hike, if it wasn't so hard to get to it would be a classic and popular descent.
That sounds smashing. Will definitely check that one out.
Have you explored around Iron Crag or Crag Fell at all?
Seatallan via Greendale Tarn looks intriguing as does the trail from it down via Buckbarrow although my reading of my map suggests bog.
Cheers
Sanny
@sanny Crag fell is a great little hill good for a few hours, for the best ridable route start in ennerdale bridge up the road climb of Cold fell, turn L onto a BW climbing up to the back of Crag fell, the descent down to Ennerdale water is popular and classic.
That is great. Thanks for that. Do you have any other rides down that neck of the woods or in the rest of the south lakes that you would recommend? It is so good to get local knowledge for these things.
Cheers
Sanny
Cometh the weather. Cometh the rider. Or something like that. With a forecast that could rightly be described as nigh on perfect, my Wainwright explorations continued yesterday. For a change, I was not alone but had the excellent company of my good friend, Gary Fraser, for company - think long suffering / never learning ride companion who still comes out to play despite my propensity for hike a bike.
But where to ride? There could be only one answer - the fells above the eastern shore of Derwent Water. Gasp! Do you think that is wise, Sanny? Even a fool knows that these are a bog fest - Wainwright wrote as much with dire warnings of “here be dragons!” Pah! Clearly, he never went up on a frozen blue bird day!
Starting from Keswick, we headed up past the radio mast for the steep pull up onto Walla Crag. Those who do the Borrowdale Bash will be familiar with it. Great views. 100% rideable up and down. Lovely.
From there we headed to Bleaberry Fell. A clear track that is easy to follow leads all the way to the summit with a short hike a bike to get to the very top. It is a wee bit rough on the levelling but again totally rideable. As a descent in the other direction, I think it would be a real treat. Not super long but it would be a worthy summer evening blast.
Next up, High Seat. At less than 2km, it was a straightforward traverse to reach it. There is a short push up at the summit crag but with the ground hard frozen, it made for a lovely potter with a glorious panorama as backdrop. We stopped at the summit crag for sandwiches and looked to the trails to High Tove. these come with a major health warning. Indeed, Gary’s mate Tim who lives in Keswick told us post ride that he had sunk to his chest there at one time in the mud. From a distance, it looked like the trail was one long horror show of ice but Lord be praised, the trail fairies have built a stone pavement that turns the Pewitts from despair to joy. It was like riding in the Peak. Winner!
Getting greedy, we mooched over to Armbooth Fell - another easy tick on hard frozen ground which would be one to avoid in the wet. Like seriously, don’t! Faced with a choice of heading south or heading west off High Tove, we chose the former going via Middle Crag and the wonderfully named Shivery Knott. This took us to Blea Tarn and the vague Bridleway that descends to Watendlath. Realising that the small cairns marked where the path was meant to be, it was easy enough going on open moorland which eventually took us onto more distinct trail. Again, this would be wetter than an otters pocket normally but in the freeze, it was actually pretty enjoyable. The final steep section into Watendlath was a real pleasure.
Greedy for more fells, we rode the footpath to Great Crag. Laterally, it becomes a hike a bike. The views from the top are terrific but the stone pitched descent was really tricky in the ice. In the summer, it would be a cool technical challenge. I ended up going off path on the slippier sections but would go back. The traverse across to Grange Fell and the top that is Brund Fell was straightforward in the dying light of the day. We decided to head off via the valley that bisects with Kings How. It starts so promisingly - nice trail, a real feeling of grandeur but when you get to the steps down to Brock Field, it is a major disappointment. Fallen trees and slippery steps meant we had to walk down. In the summer, I have it on good authority that it is greasy. It is a real shame as the bridleway at the bottom is bloody lovely.
If you want my advice, double back off of Brund Fell and do the traditional Borrowdale Bash descent. You could then ride off road via the Bowder stone and Joplin the trails below Brock Field. Alternatively, there is a track that heads south from below the western edge of the summit and bisects the Borrowdale Bash descent. Anyone done that little number? Tempted to go back and take in Kings Fell then head south on that trail for a look see.
Looking at kings End, am i right in thinking it is another steppy disappointment?
So thoughts on a day out? Bloody good fun. Definitely one for the winter or a very dry summer’s day.
So @justinbieber @thenorthwind @thegeneralist @fergal @stevedoc @neb @mark88 @spin where have you guys been riding? Any more Lakeland adventures you would like to share?
Hope you have been getting out in the stunning conditions in the Lakes this week? If the weather continues, I may have a stab at the likes of Steel Fell. No better time to do it I reckon.
Cheers
Sanny
Please, please, if anyone is out this weekend.... Take me with you.
I'm at risk of another sofa hell weekend
If the weather stays cold which it looks like it will then hell yes! Just do it, fella!
Greatest journey start with first step……..If yesterday is anything to go by, you will struggle to find bogs of doom.
This may help?
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/howgill-fells/
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/howgill-fells-the-calf-which-way-round/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZrgve3usZE
So nowt to stop you!
Cheers
Sanny
I think im walking / Climbing bound in the Lakes this weekend as I managed a cheat work day Tuesday. Nothing as grand as Sanny but just as fun . I just managed a Hardtail loop from Waterhead up over the side of Loughrigg towards Skelwith and Elterwater Over Higher Timberthwaite and down for my slab of Cake from the Farm. Up and around Iorn Keld which wasnt to muddy for a change (thanks weather) . Back via the Quarry and Atkinson Coppice . Back via Sawtry woods to Elterwater and a spin to Loughrigg terrace which was quiet apart from the Eurofighter that buzzed Rydal water as i was hoping the rocks ... Not a Wainwright day as such but still a good 4500 foot and 30 miles topped off with that Eurofighter .
If plans change and my lad doesnt fancy climing Sunday the bike will be M6 north bound around 6.30am
Wotcha climbing stevedoc?
I'm intrigued about whether any ice might be in.
Its up to the Lad whoms im collecting from Uni in the morning . He wanted to do the Y Gribin Ridge on flipflop mountain but I really am not a fan of Snowdonia on a weekend at all. I fancy something in the Langdales again Jacks rake might be a challenge if that snow falls Saturday night 🙂
I had hoped to get out on the bike today but thought better of it in the ice and ran instead.
Went from Hartsop up to Gray Crag - I followed a steep direct route up, but from the bits of the path I was on it looks like it would be a decent enough descent. Across the top to Thornthwiate Crag was pretty unremarkable, but Thornthwaite Crag down via Thresthwaite Mouth.... very interesting.
Has anyone ridden it? I reckon a better rider than myself would manage. Steep, techy, loose in parts. In the ice it was a real struggle on foot.
I’ve never ridden Grey Crag, but often wondered about the hills around there. I have “ridden” stoney cove pike to thornthwaite beacon, and thought it a silly idea. Looks equally daft heading back the other way
So another day, another ride. This time round, I decided to revisit a favoured haunt - Fairfield Horseshoe but with a winter twist. Thursday was bluebird with a huge covering of snow on the fells. I know it has been covered here previously but dang it, it is a classic. Starting at Rydal Mount, a thick layer of well trodden ice on the track made for an entertaining start. You have got to love Schwalbe Ice Spikers! I had planned to ride into Ambleside and go up via High Sweden Bridge but the steep track up off the path was too tempting to resist. It turns out that an e bike really does make it remarkably easy to get up - who knew? Following the track up Scandale Beck, I was able to ride all but the last little bit to get onto Low Pike. At 508 metres, it feels like an easy summit for not too much effort. However, the height gain belied what was to come. I had hoped for some well trodden lines through the snow but the eastern flank of the horseshoe does not enjoy the popularity of the west. As such, the tracks were narrow and lumpy meaning that my option of e bike with 29er tyres was playing second best to my fat bike. Cue much carrying. On the plus side, I meant plenty of chatty walkers who were keen to ask me what I was doing and why and seemed genuinely interested in the concept of riding in the high fells. A couple were bikers themselves and were intrigued by the notion of a lightweight e bike.
I had hoped that the gradual rise from Scandale fell would be rideable but save for some wind blown sections and some proper battling through the deep snow which was actually easier to ride than following the tracks, it was a carry. On a positive note, it gave me plenty of time to check out the adjoining fells and to plan future adventures. In more favourable conditions, this section would make for a nice break in the hike a bike and would greatly speed upward progress.
Hart Crag as remembered is a rocky carry up. It would be a pain to ride down and would really be a carry down with your bike. It confirmed what I already new - clockwise is not the way of truth for the Horseshoe. As the slope eased up, there were some incredible wind blown snow and ice formations to be found where the top dropped down to the valley far below. The going to the summit from here is a straightforward ride up and one to savour. As always, the views north to Dollywagon Pike, St Sunday Crag and Helvellyn are top notch.
With a bit of a breeze building, I snapped off a few shots and then set about enjoying the very long and at times technical descent of Great Rigg and Rydal Fell. If you haven’t tried it, you are seriously missing out. It is an absolute joy with the short ups being rideable. As I had hoped, the greater numbers of feet through the snow made for much easier going than on the way up. It was an absolute hoot, even when heading off trail into the virgin snow for no better reason than just because I could. With plenty of daylight left, I decided to drop down to Stone Arthur. This is definitely one to return to. I would love to try it without a blanket of the white stuff as it was a lovely gradient that drops through some really interesting rocky outcrops. Of course, what goes down has to come back up so I retraced my tyre tracks before breaking off to follow some ski tracks that had been left from the day before to attain the main ridge again. Back on track, the gradual descent continued and I was grinning like a loon. Only when you are on it do you get a sense of quite how long it is. It is a ride that rewards the effort of the ascent in spades. I could have headed down to Alcock Tarn had I wanted a less technical finish but the final section from Nab Scar is one of my favourites - steep, stone pitched and with some lovely switchbacks, it is an unalloyed pleasure but not one to try for the first time in the snow if you have not done it before. If you do it, do it in the dry first would be my recommendation.
Finally hitting the tarmac, I arrived back at the car with an enormous sense of satisfaction. As expected, the snow slowed progress considerably but it did not impede my enjoyment - rather it enhanced it. Winter days like this are to be savoured. I had had a notion to do the drop down to Seat Sandal but that can wait for another day. In terms of kit, the spikes were reassuring. They take the fear out of riding over ice. I broke out my Kahtoola Microspikes for the ascent and they proved to be the ideal tool for the job while a combination of mini gaiters and the tight cuffs of my 7 Mesh Thunderpants meant no snow got through to my socks. My feet were warm and dry the whole day despite having to break trail in knee deep snow.
In summary, the Horseshoe is a real banger and well worth doing even in winter. Colour me happy!
Cheers
Sanny
Ps Was it any of you lot who were out on the western section of the horseshoe the day before. I followed on pair of tracks down so clearly was not the only dafty!
@stevedoc @justinbieber @mark88 @thenorthwind @thegeneralist
Have you been getting out on any Lakes adventures recently?
Cheers
Sanny
Impressive work. Not sure I'd have fancied riding up high in these conditions, though i've never tried ice spike tyres.
Ps Was it any of you lot who were out on the western section of the horseshoe the day before. I followed on pair of tracks down so clearly was not the only dafty!
I was up the eastern side of the horseshoe yesterday, but on foot. Beautiful lower down but once I was in the open I could barely stay upright at times and visibility became minimal. You made the right decision in leaving it for a day.
Good work going out when it was so windy. I’ve been up there when the weather closes in and it is an exposed place to be.
The ice spikes work really well. Worth every penny and last for years. Like I wrote above, my fat bike would have been the better option but I only took delivery of fat ice tyres when I arrived back home from the ride. If you’ve not ridden it, definitely give it a shot. The Alcock Tarn descent is a good alternative for those who are not a fan of super steep trails.
Sounds like a great adventure. I think it's true to say that Fairfield Horseshoes is Defo best in winter. The alternative would be after a drought, but then it'd be mobbed with ramblears.
Have you been getting out on any Lakes adventures recently?
Funnily enough i think I was only about 4 km north of you.
No Sanny not for a few weeks. Like above ive been climbing and hiking more in Scotland of late ..I was looking if I can bag a few Munros this year .
Sounds like a cracking day out!
Nothing to report from me, only been over to the lakes for a quick run over Christmas. Managed to get out for a ride and a bivvy in the nice cold weather but this side of the Pennines (Northumberland).
That looks fab. Where were you climbing?
Glad to not be on the fell tops today though. MWIS are forecasting winds in excess of 100mph on the tops which would be brutal. You’d be crawling and dragging your bike behind you in that!
So what has everyone got planned Lakes wise for the coming year then?
Cheers
Sanny
@sanny sorry to rub it in been in Spain last few months, climbing and stuff will be back shortly worse luck.
So another update for the thread.
Sunday saw me return to an old favourite, Hindscarth. I last rode the descent as a callow youth in 1997 on my Santa Cruz Heckler. It was a blisteringly hot day. I did it clockwise starting with Cat Bells and had no real clue what to expect. What I found was a joy of a descent with a steep and awkward walk down at the very end. I loved it but for some odd reason, had not returned to do it. Thus it was I headed up the Newlands Valley on Sunday on my test Pivot Shuttle SL with a keen sense of anticipation and slight concern. Had I misremembered it? Was it not really all that? They say distance lends enchantment but even so, a quarter of a century is a fair old while!
Navigating the bog that is the saddle beneath Robinson, a snow covered path thereafter then a lovely descent before the final climb onto Hindscarth, I could feel the excitement building. Cresting the cloud covered summit, I wasted no time in dropping off the end. Was it as good as I had remembered? Hell yeah. It is a joy to ride down and pretty technical in places. The cloud came and went offering up tremendous views of the trail ahead. It is not a descent Ii would recommend as an introduction to lakes riding but it is a definite classic. The rocks were super greasy so a bit of discretion in a couple of places was called for. Being on my own, 2 short sections I would normally ride were walked down and my discretion proved wise. Even under foot, I felt myself slipping without warning.
The final drop was a bit of a carry down in places as I remembered but it did not detract from an excellent descent. Definitely one I plan to return to in the not so distant future when it is warm and dry. The trail and the views are worthy of being savoured.
Yesterday was a step into the unknown. I think it was @fergal who mentioned High Snockrigg earlier in this thread off Robinson. Keen to try something new, a quick carry up of no more than twenty minutes from Newlands Pass saw me riding over to the start of the descent. It is, in short, brilliant. There is one exposed section with a seriously consequential drop off to the side that could easily be fatal if you ballsed it up. With the bedrock even slippier than Sunday, I don’t mind admitting that I walked down those few yards. In the dry, I would happily ride it but sometimes you have to pick your challenges wisely. The descent is a mix of singletrack, switchbacks, exposed rock and some lovely long grassy sections. For not too much effort, it rewards in scenery and quality of trail in spades. Being on the e bike, I then headed along to Crummock Water and rode up the Rannerdale valley - this is another gem but one which gets busy with walkers so best kept for midweek rides or evening trips. From the saddle, I followed a singletrack sheep trail that dropped me onto the Rigg Beck trail from Buttermere and headed north. I last rode this well over a decade ago and cabin report that it is still a treat. I even managed to despatch the steep section after the beck as I headed north. Say what you will about e bikes but boy can you climb stupidly steep stuff on them. The descent to what I still refer to as the Purple House is a real gem. Would it be good in the opposite direction? Quite probably.
So two quick morning blasts and two gems. Happy days!
Cheers
Sanny
Love that rigg beck/sail beck route between Newlands and Buttermere, in either direction. Feels like old school ‘cross country’ mountain biking. Had a MRT job on Hindscarth on Saturday evening (nowt serious) but can confirm more greasy than is ideal for riding at this time of year. It’s a classic that’s a relatively easy push up from honister to dale head then a nice ride round to Hindscarth from there.
Glad it was not just me being a wuss. Even on the carry up from Newlands, I could feel my boots slipping. Better to come back on a warm and dry day than having to call you and your team out!
Rigg Beck and Sail Beck are gems. It was none too muddy yesterday so made for a fun ride. I know what you mean about it being old school mountain biking.
I am usually on a mission to ride multiple tops and trails when I am riding in the lakes so it was nice to go out and do a couple of quick hits without them being part of an all day epic. Glad I stayed off the bike on monday as there was some serious wind blowing down the Newlands Valley and over Buttermere water. Up top could have been a touch challenging.
Cheers
Sanny
Just been reading the rescue reports of the Keswick MRT. I had no idea of just how busy the team are even at this time of year! Fair play for getting the casualty off the side of Hindscarth on Saturday as it really drops off steeply. I tip my hat to you for the work that the team does.
The route north from the Summit of Robinson via Blea Crags and High Snab Bank is also a cracker with just one short carry down.
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Been back through this thread. What ways off of mellbreak, gavel and Blake would you recommend? Just trying to plot a route out on the OS map.
Cheers
Sanny
Cant comment on Melbreak but the two lines here are absolute cracking descents. You can use both from Blake and Gavel. Best in the dry
I'd ascend Blake from Cogra Moss, fireroad mostly with a steep carry before Sharp Knott. The over Blake and onto Gavel. The path is pretty good singletrack off Gavel, but the first one above is my favourite. Not techy, bust steep and flowy. YMMV.
Some Cracking views from Blake Fell
[img] 
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Top of the ST descent to Loweswater.
[img] 
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That is brilliant. Cheers for that.
Any other little gems, please feel free to share them.
Cheers
Sanny
So thread update time.
The Sunday before Easter I took advantage of a smashing weather window and headed for Buttermere. I aimed form a seven summit day and struck good weather gold. Starting at the base of Fleetwith Pike, I navigated past some particularly inquisitive Highland Cows to ride the bridleway along the southern shore of Buttermere. It is an easy and gentle affair with much to commend it. At the falls, I continued along the footpath to Crummock Water. This was a very pleasant number despite there being a few sections of bog and lumpy bedrock that impede progress a little. Nothing too terrible though and the scenery was stunning. I met a solo walker who was on a mission to stay out all day and that night but with no real plan other than that. i admired his simple approach as he broke out his fishing rod by the small spit of land that extends into the lake and would make for a superb bivvy spot.
Following the trail up through some woods, i joined the path up onto Mellbreak from the western end. it is steep, loose and scree laden. As I made my way up with one questionable line choice up a steep and loose gully, I decided it would make for a disappointing descent - too loose, steep and steppy to be fun unless you like carerying down stuff. Cresting the first top, i met an older woman and her dog Oscar the Petterdale Terrier. She was bemoaning hgow slow she was following a stroke 3 years ago but fair play to her to be on the fells and showing no signs of having had a stroke.
There is a short descent followed by a gradual rise to the top proper. despite two weeks of rain, it was amazingly dry for the most part. The descent down to the bridleway is a grassy peach. Steep but grin inducing. Well worth the effort to get up it. Very dry as well unlike thge bridleway to Flotern Tarn and the pass which followed. The next section made me glad to be on the fat bike. There are limpy sections and sections off wet moss but it does slowly geyt better the higher up you get. It is not a bridleway you would rush to do but it is a means to an end.
Next up was the steep but shortish carry onto Great Borne. It looks like a wall but it is a steady climb up that is over faster than you expect. The rocky summit of Great Borne affords great views in every direction while the distant peak of Red Pike seems miles away. I dropped off the summit on a well defined rocky track that soon turned to a fast and flowy grass descent. It was easy going and set the template for the rest of the ride by being almost completely dry and mud free. There is a nice mix of riding and easy pushing over Starling Dodd and onto Red Pike. I contemplated the steep chute down to Bleaberry Tarn but the reward of the steps of despair after it held no attraction.
As some walkers played with a drone, another questioned my sanity for taking my bike up to the summit and informed me how running was better. I respectfully disagreed for running is the work of satan in my book.
