Lucky you! Sounds great. Re the Mell Fells. Little Mell Fell is easy to access from the road that passes immediately south of it. Just go through the gate at the high point. Great Mell Fell has an obvious Land Rover access track by the road on the eastern flank. There are usually a couple of cars there as walkers park to go up the fell. A short ride up the track then through the fence on the right to get on the fell. Gowbarrow is the one you want to do though. As a loop, you can start from the same point that you access Little Mell Fell. There is a double gate arrangement that takes you onto an access track that joins up with the Fell. There is a two min carry over clearfell at the very end of the track.
Ridden Loadpot Hill two and half years ago but not on this round so will be going back to report along with Arthur’s Pike. I really like High Street on a dry day. Going to start with Hartsop Dodd and finish at Pooley bridge to hopefully take the steamer back.
Yeah. Reckon I saw it at its’ best. There was zero bog. I did indeed take the NE track off as I figured the bogginess would be where the Scalehow Beck and the Moss are. Absolutely loved it and want to ride it again so that is a win in my book.
Cheers
Sanny
Right. Going to test the hive mind now if that is ok as looking for anyone’s thoughts or experiences on the following?
Far Eastern fells - Troutbeck Tongue, Tarn Crag and Grey Crag.
Eastern Fells - Arnison Crag, Hartsop above How, Middle Dodd, High Hartsop Dodd, Little Hart Crag and Red Screes.
Western Fells - Kirk Fell and Buckbarrow. Grike, Lankrigg and Crag Fell.
Central Fells - Rosthwaite Fell, Esk Pike along to Pike o Blisco and Cold Pike.
Thoughts?
Cheers
Sanny
I can't recall much of interest on the Eastern or Far Eastern ones you mention.
Red Screes down to Ambleside has been mentioned in this thread but I've not been that way.
High Hartsop Dodd could potentially have interesting descent off the north side - you can see the path as you drive south to Kirkstone Pass. Steep grassy sheep trod. One for a dry day.
Troutbeck Tongue would be a quick up and down, could be fun if you come down High Street and up the north side of the Tongue. South side would be short but fun descent.
@thegeneralist posted a photo of him riding Bowfell slab a while back so may have some intel on the other Central Fells you mention. I've only been up there in the snow so couldn't comment on wether any of it would be rideable.
Helvellyn today from Thirlspot up via Browncove Crags and back down Birkside. A quick (if not brutal) ascent to the top. Birkside was awesome as ever.
2 hours round trip, so an option for a quick ride into the high fells
Sounds great!
Soooooooooo……..the dry Spring weather in the Lakes has been bloody awesome. After my abortive attempt to ride High Street in the deep snow back in January (you can read about bit in the April issue of the magazine), I had been biding my time for a sunny and dry day to make another attempt. A happy intersection of a meeting free day and great weather saw me make my now customary drive down the M74 and M6 at stupid o’clock. I wonder how many folk are out the door by 5.15am for a day ride? It felt early, probably because it was, but as I hit the border before 7, done to a soundtrack of Kermode and Mayo, Dierks Bentley and Lainey Wilson, I knew the early start had been worth it especially as most of it had been done in daylight for the first time in several months. Here’s to Spring!
Getting into Glenridding, as I got ready, a friendly driver stopped to tell me how jealous he was of me. Turns out he runs the bike shop in Glenridding. Seemed like a good bloke so I will make the effort to pop in next time I am there. On the road before eight, I happily span along the valley road to Hartsop. Despite the sun and blue skies, it was a brisk morning meaning I was glad of my insulated gilet and windproof jacket. First up, Hartsop Dodd. An iconic peak if ever there was one, after a brief detour up the more obvious but wrong track, I started the climb proper. The ride up to the stile was steep and brief. Getting over it, it was a carry all the way up. The going was steep but as a trail, it was packed with interest. A mix of switchbacks, stone pitching, dirt and bedrock, every step was genuinely enjoyable. The top stayed hidden all the way up meaning that it did not feel like a slog. Quite the opposite, in fact. Finally cresting the top of the steep section, the track continued to climb on grass track beside a wall which made route finding a cinch. The summit is fairly non descript but the setting is lovely, particularly looking north to Ullswater and west towards the peaks of Fairfield and Helvellyn.
Over the top, the trail rose steadily all the way to Stoney Cove Pike and was all rideable. Conditions under tire were incredibly dry. Looking over to Caudale Quarry high on the hillside to the left, I made a mental note to return and explore the footpath descent from Caudale Moor. Caudale Moor is another rounded lump but again, offers spectacular views west and south. Two down, ten to go. Retracing my steps to Stoney Cove Pike, a brief stop for lunch and a donning of my windproof and knee warmers as the fresh wind was on the icy side of fresh, I was ready for the drop into Threshwaite Mouth. Starting with a nice bit of flow, the descent quickly became a rocky carry down. With several opportunities to really spanner yourself, I was happy to carry down. A couple and their dog on the way up adopted a look of concern and bade me be careful; something I was more than happy to do. With a chill wind, an off could have been Dixie Chick serious.
Hitting the saddle, I broke north up a sheep track that took me onto the saddle of Gray Crag. Cresting the ridge, it was an easy out and back on grass track to the summit and entirely rideable in both directions. Chatting with a young couple who had started in Staveley, they were impressed by my plans for the day but I was more impressed by their day out that would taken in the Kentmere Horseshoe on foot. They had already travelled far and it was still not even noon! Sore tootsies ahoy! An easy climb soon saw me reach Thornthwaite Beacon for a welcome nibble of food. Last time, the beacon and surrounding fells were absolutely plastered in snow. The contrast was stark. A brief chat with a walker who had managed to pick the perfect week for a stay in the Lakes and breaking out a Compeed for the couple I met on Gray Crag and in was off again.
High Street came and went at pace. The trail from the summit down the Straits of Rennigidale was as fun as I remembered it. High Street has a reputation for being boring but this part of it is anything but and especially so if you head over to Kidsty Pike as I did. The views east to Haweswater are definitely worth the effort to get to and reminded me that I need to return soon to ride the western shore track. From there, I quickly knocked out Rampsgill Head and the rocky rounded summit of High Raise. With the ground unseasonably dry, I took my time to properly enjoy riding the ridge. I last rode the ridge on the first day of autumn in 2022 for the magazine. That November, I lost my dad which proved to be the catalyst for me to explore the Wainwrights and it felt good to be back on this particular trail. For those expecting technicality and a gradual descent, forget it. High Street is the classic Ulysees Everett McGill geographical oddity. It feels more up than down for much of the traverse until you get to Loadpot Hill. You can imagine a Roman Legion just thinking forus fukkus sakeus as they crossed it some 2000 years ago.
Breaking off from the bridleway, I knocked out Bonscale Fell and Arthur’s Pike in jig time. There is clear track on the ground to follow and they afford great views over Ullswater but are probably more for the completer unless you don’t mind an extra push between the two. With twelve summits ridden, it took on lay a few minutes to reach the bridleway beneath Barton Fell. This was a curious unknown to me. For some obscure reason, I had never ridden it before so it came as a very welcome end of the ride bonus. It is a wide track with little in the way of tech but the steep sided peaks to the left that I had been atop only a few minutes before gave a real sense of Lakeland grandeur. With it not yet 4 in the afternoon, I had one last card to play - the steamer back to Glenridding. The previous week saw me ride the Ullswater eastern shore trail but in my head, the early start meant that the steamer might be a welcome option and so it proved to be. After a welcome extended bit of lazing about on the sandy shore at Howtown in the afternoon sunshine, it felt like being on my holidays as I stood on the deck of the steamer. Not a bad way to end a glorious Spring day out!
So in summary, a great little adventure ride. Not technical but a most enjoyable day out on trails that have a reputation for being boggy and wet. Hartsop Dodd has me planning a return trip to ride down it as it looks like a very fun option for pissing your height away in jig time.
Looking back on my January attempt, we absolutely made the right call to bail at the beacon. It would have been a very long and hard trudge through deep snow and would have almost certainly taken the best part of twelve hours. best of all, it gave me the perfect excuse to come back on a perfect Spring day!
Cheers
Sanny
Tarn Crag and Grey Crag - best done on foot, but I guess up Gatesgarth, turning right for Mosedale/Swindale near the old quarries, then up over Tarn Crag along the wall. Generally wet and a slog I would think. Electric fat bike? There may be some decent bits on the descent back to Sadgill from Grey Crags.
Again with Rosthwaite Fell - hard work with a bike - and I think it would be much more 'with' than 'on'. It's such a nice trip to scramble up Cam Crag ridge, I've never considered it on a bike. I guess up Langtrath, Stake Pass to Angle Tarn, then over Allen Crags and Glaramara to Rosthwaite/Bessy Boot would be the day out. Plenty of pushing and tech though.
Evening all.
There is a chance I may actually get out on my MTB tomorrow.... Actually my son's MTB as mine is ****ed. Anyway, without me rereading the whole thread, where should we go tomorrow preferable SE lakes that is awsumz just like
Fairfield
Ill Bell,Yoke, Nan Beild etc
Birkside
That isn't F, IBY NB, B as I want something new.
Rocks and tech, but not too heinous as his bike is slightly too small for me 😜
Unfortunately I don’t think they’ve built any new hills recently, so F, IBY, NB, B are you main choices For the south east Lakes. Hopefully it’s not too late for today, but it sounds like you want something over patterdale way, maybe an extended angle tarn loop?
Right. Time for another update. My exploration of the Wainwrights has continued at pace with four lovely days out since the last time I wrote things up.
Red Screes fun.
First off, a short but sweet explore of Scandale with my wingman, James Yurty Boatman, who accompanied on my Winter adventure up High Street which is in the latest issue of the magazine. With a half day opportunity to go for an explore while I was down in the Lakes on holiday at Easter, we headed into the southern end of Scandale via Low Sweden Bridge. Fair to say, it is a steep initial climb out of Ambleside which woke up the legs and lungs in jig time. We passed several groups of walkers who were all singularly cheerful but once past Low and High Sweden Bridge, we had the valley pretty much all to ourselves. The pull through the valley is a fairly easy one, things only getting tougher when the track headed upwards towards the col. We managed to ride a lot of the climb before having to carry on a clear singletrack path that was easy to follow.
At the saddle, we remounted and rode up the steep slope that would take us to Dove Crag. The track drops down on a lovely section of trail before rearing up for the final short carry up to the summit. As you would expect, the views over to the cliffs of Hart Crag are mightily impressive. Retracing our steps, the route in reverse was a mini grin fest - it goes quickly but is nonetheless lovely.
Nest up, Middle Dodd. Initially, we followed the clear track that rose up steeply towards Red Screes. This was a carry from the off but we took some time to enjoy the exposed bedrock slabs with a bit of carry up / ride down action. Part way up, we broke off to cross the slope of Red Screes on an intermittent track that led us to Middle Dodd. A rounded grassy lump, the descent off it looked like it would be fun but a bit short for my liking. Heading south, we rode most of the gradual rise that would lead us to the summit of Red Screes. As we hit the popular top which gave a great vista of Kirkstone Pass far below, a squall blew in for a couple of minutes of wind and sleet. It was a reminder that even on a nice day, the weather can turn on a dime when you are up high.
So Red Screes - thoughts. As a descent, it seems to divide folk. Some love it and others consider it a bit meh. Ever open minded, I was not sure what to expect but as it turned out, with the driest Spring on record, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sure it is grassy with only a small amount of tech around a small crag towards the bottom but with everything under tyre dry, it was a grin inducing hoot. So much of Lakeland riding is rocky and technical so it was nice to ride something a little different. Popping out towards the bottom section of The Struggle, I had a big smile on my face. It clearly has potential to be boggy in the wet but on this occasion, it was a smashing option for dropping down from Red Screes. Colour me happy.
Im picking this thread up again thinking about Saturday an options. Ive been lucky to grab the Bank holiday Monday and last Saturday up int` Lakes .
Monday I started at Stavley and up Garburn and Over to Yoke to Thornthwaite crag and Mardale and dropped Nan Beild for the first time in years . All but cleaned it to the Kentmere gate with one dab and even higher praise for my new bike. Finshed with a drop to Sandgil and a green quarter flurrish.
Saturday a drive to Patterdale and a hike a push up to High st (something I vowed never to do again after the bog fest of 2019 ) I decided to take the xc bike as I knew id have to chuck a bit of leg work in and running down to Loadpot that was a great idea. Dry as toast and almost blue trail centre levels of flow all the way to the shore path and round to Martindale . I bummped in to another lad called Mark who was doing to same route and directed my in the right way to get back up to Boredale hause ( I was a bit jaded from the Friday night and a tad hot and bothered ) We had a chat and made my way back down to Patterdale, all the while rueing the bike choice. It was emotional with a few special words and creative line choices but back to the car all ready for eating anything that moved. God bless the new Greggs just before the M6 at 35.
Looking at the weekend as its the Mountain festival in Keswick this weekend it maybe best to give it a wide steer and look towards Coniston for some shiggles .
April Fool Big Day Oot on Bowfell
With the clocks changed, I jumped at the chance to explore some fells that had been on my radar since I started this little project but had singularly failed to explore. Bowfell is something of a Lakeland classic - along with Crinkle Crags, it dominates the southern flanks of Langdale and from the valley floor, everything about it looks big and intimidating. Inspired by @thegeneralist ‘s images of him riding the great slab, I was like a kid on Christmas when I pulled into the valley. It was either the excitement of exploring somewhere entirely new to me or the enormous Tim Horton’s hot chocolate I had grabbed at Penrith on the drive down that had me more than a little bit wired. Despite the hefty level of hike a bike shed of me, I opted to take the Pivot test e bike. The slab had really captured my imagination and I was keen to explore it to the full.
With another banger of a blue sky day, the ride along the valley floor was a hugely enjoyable start to the ride. With soaring peaks on both sides, it is a veritable amphitheatre of fun. Stake Pass lay directly ahead but as I crossed the beck, I was headed for higher peaks via Rossett Ghyll. Any notions of riding are very quickly abandoned - it is a carry and no mistake. Thankfully, the track up is stone pitched for the most part and what it lacks in riding, in makes up for in terms of scenery and decent conditions underfoot. Ahead, a couple of walkers were the rabbit to my greyhound as I made my way ever upward. The Pivot is light for an e bike but I definitely noticed the extra few pounds compared to my old school Turner. It’s not a trail that I have ever ridden down so it would be good to hear folks thoughts on it. Lumpy and bumpy would be my take.
Cresting the saddle, I stopped to take in the views and some welcome sustenance and was joined by three chatty walkers who were Scafell Pike bound. They offered to take a couple of snaps of me which was kind although clearly had not mastered the art of not having your finger in front of the camera lens. A short but fun rideable descent to Angle Tarn followed - the stream crossing being one of my favourite Lakeland spots - before mostly riding up the climb that followed courtesy of electric assistance. Ore Gap was an option but I opted for the easier carry via Esk Hause. Another food break followed at the four way shelter where I was treated to the sight of four F15s tearing through the skies only a couple of hundred feet above me. Loud would be an understatement. After a brief chat with a couple of lads who were heading the Scafell Pike, I rode then carried my way up the lumpy rockiness that is Esk Pike. You could definitely ride a fair bit of it as a descent although for my money, Great End is the better option. Progress was not quick as I could not help but repeatedly stop to turn round and talkie in the frankly breathtaking views over to the Scafell’s and down into Eskdale. I made a mental note that an early return visit to explore Eskdale was required. The drop off Esk Pike to Ore Gap was straightforward on a clear singletrack path. However, the wind was blowing like Billy-o as I hit the crest of the saddle. It was really picking up speed as it came up from the deep valley below and nearly had me off my feet at one point.
Next up, Bowfell and this was a steady carry up picking my way through boulders. At the summit, I chatted with a runner who had come over from Pike of Stickle and had only 7 Wainwrights left to do. He was clearly on a mission and was into for hanging about. However, my plans were somewhat more relaxed and it was with no little excitement that I saw The Band. Reaching it, I was surprised at just how steep it appeared, a feeling that was felt somewhat acutely as I rode down it. Cautious at first to ensure that the slope of some forty degrees was not a slippy slope to disaster (it wasn’t), I quickly relaxed into it and found myself riding down and back up it three times. The first time down was a bit of a wake up call as I turned round and looked back up what felt like a wall. Side on appearances do not do it justice. Starting off the climb back up necessitated a turning into the slope approach - a straight up attack was not an option. I rarely deploy full power mode on the bike - ECO or off is normally perfect but this sucker demanded giving it full beans. As I found my grove, I was giggling out loud, much to the entertainment of a walker who was filming my exploits. It was a riot and absolutely worth the effort to get to. That said, in the wet, a slip could be fatal with a choice of cliff edge or boulder field at the bottom of the band so if you fancy it, only do it if you are confident of your skills, acknowledge the risk and do so only in the dry.
On a bit of a high, I left the band behind and made my way over to Crinkle Crags. The initial descent from Bowfell was steep and loose to the point that at a couple of points I was off and having to walk down. The wind made things that bit more challenging so a bit of common sense prevailed. In terms of descents, had I been finished for the day, I would have ridden down The Band. From above, it looks absolutely stellar so is one to return to for sure, albeit cutting off early to avoid Stool End Farm who are not what you would call bike friendly. On the plus side, I met a lovely little Patterdale Terrier who took great delight in licking the salty sweat off of my legs.
What followed was an extended hike a bike session both up and down Crinkle Crags. For my sins, I got myself turned around and thought the Bad Step was on the final crag. It transpires it is on the fourth one - oops. Looking down it, I beat a hasty retreat and made my way round the southern flank which was a far superior option and looks like it could be a fun bouldering venue. After a hard shift of carrying, the trail changed dramatically to a properly rideable trail. It was most welcome and one that would be easy to follow even in mist. Breaking off the trail, I quickly bagged Cold Pike which came and went in jig time. Heading down to the junction of paths to Wry Nose and Oxendale, the latter looked like an interesting option for doing Crinkle Crags as an out and back.
I had one more peak to do - Pike O’ Blisco. At the end of the day, it was a bit of a schlep of a climb on a track that wend its way through rocks and grass. As a descent, it did not shout at me to return to do it, in this direction anyway. Passed by a wire fell runner who had set out from Chapel Stile via Lingmoor Fell, the bike rested heavy on my shoulders. Thankfully, the summit was reached after a Dairy Milk Fruit and Nut sugar boost and the pay off in terms of views over to Langdale and beyond was absolutely stellar.
I’d like to say that the descent down via Wrynose Fell was a classic but it was a mixed bag. The top of Pike O’ Blisco is a right rocky bugger meaning that there was a fair bit of carry and clamber down called for before the trail revealed itself. Once establish, it was enjoyable enough although the initial steep drop between Horse and Kettle Crags had a covering of water meaning caution was required. The steep stone pitching made for a teeth rattling descent but the further I dropped down, the more I enjoyed it before hitting the road over from Blea Tarn
So reflections. Bowfell is a banger. For maximum ride ability, I would ascend via Esk Pike and descend via The Band. Crinkle Crags as a traverse is a walk with your bike but as an out and back from Oxendale, if you avoid Stool End, I reckon it would be a lot of fun. Pike O’ Blisco is one to do for the completionist but the top section is not really rideable.
As a day out, I had a most enjoyable and memorable time but it is not a classic ride. However, there are great rides to be had in there so as an area to return to, it gets my vote!
Cheers
Sanny
Brilliant effort. High Street is in perfect conditions. Will it ever be any better? Who knows but if anyone is thinking of doing it, now is the time to do so.
Lingmoor Fell gets my vote if you are over in Coniston as do Holme Fell and Black Crag. That is getting written up next!
I can highly recommend the Old Man via Walna Scar and heading off Weatherlam. Conditions will be perfect.
Oh and Eskdale up to Esk Hause. You will not get better conditions. I rode it on Saturday. Barely a soul to be seen on dry trails riding through a cathedral of mountains that belt like I was in Middle Earth. It was food for the soul. I will write that up presently. Very much contemplating returning to do it again this weekend!!!!
Over to Yoke to Thornthwaite crag and Mardale and dropped Nan Beild for the first time in years . All but cleaned it to the Kentmere gate
I'm intrigued. Did the cleaning include Mardale to Nan Bield summit ? If so that is insane work! I didn't even manage to ride some sections of that, never mind clean them.
Quick question how would one cut off the band to avoid stool end farm?
was up on Longside edge / Skiddaw last weekend for the first time. I knew Ullock pike was an MTB route (albeit FP) Saw some e-mtber's descending and it looked great and pretty gnarly. There are 2 obvious paths down from skiddaw south top to Carl side - do the MTBers take the steeper (southern) one? Slatey gnarlfest
Over to Yoke to Thornthwaite crag and Mardale and dropped Nan Beild for the first time in years . All but cleaned it to the Kentmere gate
I'm intrigued. Did the cleaning include Mardale to Nan Bield summit ? If so that is insane work! I didn't even manage to ride some sections of that, never mind clean them.
God no I fear that was lost in translation 😉 I ment Nan Beild . Not a chance in hellsbells I would clean Mardale, all I kept thinking as a trip to A+E when that front wheel gets snagged .
There's some seriously steep steps on that top section isn't there.
I walked many of them 🥵
The shelter downwards is also amazing though. There used to be one bend with a long harrow rock at a weird angle and then the nasty step.....
The lower section must be amazing just now with this drought
Seriously tempted to head up this weekend if my new bike arrives today....... The other option is Dollywaggon, which I haven't done for over thirty years!!!!
Needless to say I thought it was shit at the time, but I reckon with 170mm up front at 64.5 degrees ( rather than zero at pretty much ninety!) it might be more fun
Id say from the shelter down 10 days ago it was almost all bone dry, even the beck at the bottom. I took my Highlander 2 and loved every bloody minute of it.
I think ive been roped into a Les Archs / Cutgate ride early Saturday, If he bails then its m6 north and Torvor I think.
I'd recommend ticking off the Wainrights in Uldale Fells whilst it's this dry. The summits themselves don't necessarily offer the best trails, but there's some lovely singletrack in the valleys.
@thegeneralist - Whilst it's this dry I'd save Dollywaggon and do some bits that would normally be boggy.
was up on Longside edge / Skiddaw last weekend for the first time. I knew Ullock pike was an MTB route (albeit FP) Saw some e-mtber's descending and it looked great and pretty gnarly. There are 2 obvious paths down from skiddaw south top to Carl side - do the MTBers take the steeper (southern) one? Slatey gnarlfest
I prefer the south descent down towards carlside, the corners allow you to moderate your speed easier than the straight path down from closer to the summit. But yeah, slatey gnarfest it is!!
Whilst it's this dry I'd save Dollywaggon and do some bits that would normally be boggy.
Fair point, but I have a new Slash to try, so want some tech. If you know of some boggy tech then I'm all ears
Whilst it's this dry I'd save Dollywaggon and do some bits that would normally be boggy.
Fair point, but I have a new Slash to try, so want some tech. If you know of some boggy tech then I'm all ears
@fingerbang the southern run down Carlside is a little easier. The one closer to the summit had me all religious the first time I tried riding it with stock Sram guides .. they were listed for sale before id returned back to the car in Keswick ......
Scafell and Wasdale - drier than a sandy flip flop
Since starting this series of adventures, one particular fell has been intriguing me and that is Scafell. Two Springs ago, my daughter and I scrambled up Lord’s Rake and came away mightily impressed by Scafell. It suffers in comparison to its’ insanely popular neighbour but to my mind, it is a far more interesting mountain. Having not gotten round to doing it, I decided to grasp the nettle and make the long journey down to Boot. Getting up well before 5, I was on the road by quarter past and filled the three hour drive with Kermode and Mayo’s excellent movie podcast and plenty of new country music - think Lainey Wilson and Dierks Bentley with a side order of Jellyroll. Pulling into the almost deserted car park at Dalegarth train station, it took me know time to get riding along the valley floor on the narrow road. The next day would see 2,500 riders come along it for the Fred Whitton. Having ridden the route on my cross bike previously on my own, I suspect the big group ride would do my nut. Good on folk for doing it but definitely not for me. Reaching Bird How Farm, I broke off and set out on the carry up the Terrace Route. Some 2 km in length, it was mostly carrying with some very short sections of riding. However, the scenery grew increasingly stunning the higher I got and looking at the trail with an eye to descending it, it looked like it would be a lot of fun.
Reaching Cowcove Beck, I had the option of following a clear path up onto Slight Side but I was not in the mood for a boring trudge. Instead, I broke trail to join up with the footpath up from Brock Crag. It took a few minutes of tussock bashing but as I hit the singletrack path, I immediately knew that I had made the right call. What followed was nearly 4 kilometres of utter joy. When you see the name moss on a map, you are wise to generally stay clear but the entire trail was bone dry. Moreover, in a veritable amphitheatre of soaring head walls, it was as good as flat meaning that pedalling was easy. Flat in the mountains. Who knew such a thing existed in the Lakes. Stopping at the river below Cam Spout Crag, I sat down on a rock in the middle of the river and simply soaked up my surroundings. With nary a soul about, I had to pinch myself. Saturday in May in the Lakes and it felt like I had what is arguably my favourite valley in the Lakes entirely to myself. I hadn’t even reached a single summit but the day already felt like it was mission accomplished. If I hadn’t set my heart on doing Scafell, I would have spent a couple of hours just relaxing in the sunshine, gone for a dip then headed back down the valley. Eventually tearing myself away from the river, I saddled up and rode through the long grasses like somewhere in Middle Earth. Reaching the base of the waterfall by the Crag, I steeled myself up for a steep carry up the side on exposed bedrock. Progress was quick as I crested the top, the waterfall to my left more a trickle, while up ahead, Broad Stand’s head wall loomed large. With Mickeldore’s saddle in sight, more carrying beckoned which took me to the awkward boulder field to reach Foxes Tarn gulley. From below, it looked rather daunting but careful foot placement and line choice got me to the top and Foxes Tarn. If ever there was a tarn that was oversold, this was it. Foxes puddle, more like! Suddenly, the trails were awash with folk whom were heading to and from Scafell Pike. One group who looked a little lost told me that they had tried down climbing Broad Stand but quickly changed their mind. I was happy to show them on the map the safe way over to the Pike. Broad Stand has seen several lives lost over the years as a slip can lead to a long drop onto rocks. Reaching it, I met a Geordie couple who had climbed up it with the aid of a rope and a bit of gear. They told me how most weekends were spent in the Lakes and were usually running up and down the fells but gave the scramble / climb a go. I did laugh when the woman said she was not really a climber. All evidence to the contrary.
After taking lots of snaps, I headed for the summit and the ride down the southern ridge to Slight Side. I had low expectations and I was proven correct. The mix of jumbled rocks at the summit mixed with sketchily loose stones on the path made for a frustrating mix of riding and walking down. It is not a descent I would rush back to. Far better to do Green Howe. Slight Side would definitely go, especially linking into the Terrace Route I ascended but I had bigger fish to fry. Breaking south west of over grassy terrain where paths came and went with no real rhyme nor reason, I passed the site of the Hurricane crash where two Polish airmen lost their lives in 1941 on a training flight. It felt somewhat poignant, given it was 80 years since VE Day this week. As a descent, it was a means to an end as it eventually popped me out at Burnmoor Tarn. Taking advantage of the dry trails, I popped up onto the Outlying Fell that is Boat How before doubling back to the creepy house by the Tarn and hitting the bridleway that goes along the side of Tongue Moor. This was new to me but I immediately made a mental note to return to ride it again as it was the perfect antidote for the tussocky trudge down to Burnmoor. Spinning the legs felt great but one last carry beckoned - Illgill Head. As a hike a bike, I found it to be most enjoyable - just the right mix of steepness and solidity underfoot without being too long. As the slope levelled off, the views really opened up. Wasdale from this perspective is just gorgeous, especially in the late afternoon light.
What followed was several kilometres of absolute joy - an easy to follow trail, incredible views down the cliffs below and golden hour sunshine. At times, the trail passed perilously close to the cliff edge and reminded me a little of the top of Jackass in Verbier. The further I rode, the bigger my smile. Let me just say that Illgill Head and Whin Rigg down to Irton Fell in Spring conditions are spectacular. To add the perfect icing to the cake, the bridleway descent through Miterdale Forest was a veritable triumph. I got to the bottom and could not help but grin at my route choice. There was nothing not to like.
Looking back on the ride, I am already planning a through route from Boot up to Esk Hause and Great End before dropping down Styhead Tarn. The return would be via Greenup Edge. I just need to figure out how to get back to Boot for a proper day out!
Cheers
Sanny
Eskdale - what was I thinking? Start in Borrowdale. Scarth Gap, Black Sail Pass, Illgill Head, Eskdale up to Esk Hause and return via Styhead. A beautifully extended Four Passes route that would be an absolute banger. Oooooooooooh!
I'd recommend ticking off the Wainrights in Uldale Fells whilst it's this dry. The summits themselves don't necessarily offer the best trails, but there's some lovely singletrack in the valleys.
@mark88 - interested in exploring here more in the current drought - any ideas or hints for routes linking the best bits?
@sanny - as always, sounds fab. A mix of some familiar, some I'd never consider and stuff I'll get the maps out for later.... Excellent stuff
Glad you liked it!
I can heartily recommend Lingmoor Fell. I rode it two weeks ago. I carried up from the farm but discovered after that the ride up to the quarry cuts out a big chunk of hike a bike. The descent down to the farm is an absolute riot of flow. We did Holme Fell afterwards. The descent from the saddle heading east is short but a real tech treat. Black Crag down to the Drunken Duck was great fun too. We finished with Latterbarrow on the footpath heading north which was another treat. Proper report to follow.
The local advice for The Band is to drop off left before the farm.
Where did you settle on for this weekend then?
Cheers
Sanny
Anyone fancy a day out during next week? Day off work
@Sanny I did enjoy reading and mapping your Scafell and Wasdale yesterday evening , Its somewhere ive not ventured yet even though for years ive looked at this
PEDALNORTH.COM its either time or weather thats stopped me .
As for tomorrow im awaiting a call, if my mates alive then a local Peaks ride, just means happy homelife 🙂 as im back in Keswick on the 31st riding. If he bails them Torvor bound i will be and risk the wrath of the long haired boss 🙂
To be fair its been a slow start to my Lakes trips this year, but Im sure I will make up the ground.
@mark88- interested in exploring here more in the current drought - any ideas or hints for routes linking the best bits?
@bajsyckel I was on foot so haven't ridden anything but spotted a few bits that looked like they'd be ace fun. From memory, the bridleway south of Burn Tod, potentially the path off Burn Tod and the path down the valley after, and the valley heading north between Meal Fell and Greath Cockup
Well @mark88, funny you should suggest that. I did do the bridleway descent you mention on Saturday morning and indeed it was fun. From the Knott top it's brains out fast open grassy into stop/start janky hemmed in tightly by the beck into smooth narrow (sometimes precarious) singletrack, stream crossing then rapid quad/atv track. Recommended.
A couple of (sometimes cryptic) posts from fergal and Sanny way back on this tread had given me some ideas for exploring the N end of the Caldbeck Fells but in general I just headed out linking things as they seemed to work on the ground. Some thoughts then if anyone's interested....
Bridleway from Fell Side - Nether Row(ISH) - Calebreck - easy all weather stone surfaced vehicle track useful to link/access from the N end of things. Gradients all relatively gentle.
Great Sca Fell - bridleway is grassy singletrack, only gets steep at the top. Rideable up all the way with appropriate combination of legs, gears and dry ground. Obviously gets boggy in some sections in normal times. Several walkers/runners paths and quad/atv tracks intersect this going to nearby tops (Brae Fell (good outlook north from here), Longlands & Lowthwaite Fell). None of these tempted me but all looked ok. From the top, links south to Knott well or High Pike.
High Pike - loads of tracks seem to criss cross the slopes. Didn't see anything too exciting, but a good and popular viewpoint - Criffel one way, high Pennines over the Eden to the other, border hills etc. Track south towards the bothy evidently can be very boggy but gentle gradients. Links to bridleway from Calebreck (saddle of Carrock Fell) straightforwardly. North very fast descents towards Nether Row, mostly grassy top and robust stony mining tracks lower. Nothing technical, rideable both ways.
Knott - easy access from Great Sca Fell, steep pull ups from the S or W. Some ground approaching the very bog prone, but currently rideable. Great views into the back of Skiddaw/Blencathra. Descended West (as described above). Excellent and could work either way but the narrow section repeatedly crossing the beck would be unpleasant in the wet. Was tempted by linking towards Great Calva but no idea what that's like.
I had hoped to link in a few other tops but unfortunately near the bottom I discovered that a rock strike on the descent towards Horsemoor Hills had left me with top gear only. This at more or less the furthest point my vague plans would take me from the start point meant I reappraised ideas.
With anything vaguely uphill leaving me pushing and generally needing to head back into a strong NEasterly, I decided to combine flat tracks I could pedal with hike a bike rather than retreat on the road (which would be slow, hard work anyway). Decision made I headed through to Skiddaw House which I had remembered being vaguely flat. Everyone probably knows this track better than that but the bit up the side of Dash Falls was beyond me. Beyond Skiddaw House the singletrack NE following the infant River Calder was a delight. Super dry, flowy and made good progress (despite the regular stream if walkers). Noticed a couple of tracks across the river warranting further investigation into the back of Blencathra and Bowscale Fell but wasn't going to push my luck.
Meeting the public road at Mosedale I had a few options and took a fairly poor one, namely the bridleway up Grainsgill Beck. The first 500m or so are almost a road (mining stopping 40yrs or do ago, the remnants of tarmac put some local authority efforts to shame). Beyond the mine however what starts as a pleasant enough push becomes steadily more hard work. Splitting and deciding to stay with the watercourse was probably a mistake. Not an especially miserable hike a bike, but awkward and I'd definitely go the northerly option across the hillside. The beck gives some distraction but the route is very clearly prone to being wet. A final pull up grassy slopes deposits you on a sizeable track linking (presumably) Knott and High Pike.
So, my thoughts on the limited bits of these fells visited? In general the landscape and riding reminded me a little of parts of the Cheviots or Pentlands, rather than the lakes. But then other aspects of the remaining mining infrastructure were akin to bits of the North Pennines or Yorkshire Dales. I enjoyed it, but had pretty much ideal ground conditions and can imagine large swathes of the tops being unrideable or no fun in damp. Also I hoped it would be quieter - loads of folk out walking (and a few bikes). No immediate plans to rush back, but a couple of nice bits I'd attempt to include in a loop to explore further at some point
@sanny ( or anyone)
Tell me something to add onto Dollywaggon/Grisedale decent on H tomorrow?
Don't think I've got a full H double in me any more... Up Sticks and down SS is an option, but fine it recently so no.
Could also go from Paterdale up Boredale and back, but again, done it before.
Sooooooo another weekend of riding. Yesterday was a big one with all kinds of weather - sleet, wind (lots of wind), no really, LOTS, cloud, beautiful sunshine - everything really. Headed up onto the Catseye Cam shoulder and did and out and back to Birkhouse Moor. It was smashing. Just a great traverse. Managed to ride all the way up to the Catseye Cam / Swirral Edge saddle then carried up for a few minutes to the summit of Catseye Cam. I suspect that would make for a good descent back to Glenridding. Swirral Edge was fine apart from one walker who described it as a bit deathy with a bike! We just took it steady with careful foot and hand placement. Helvellyn to Dollywagon Pike was fun as usual
Any chance of a bit more clarity on the exact route you took. The bit around Cats eye and Birkhouse confuses me.
Looking forward to Dollywaggon .... Been over thirty years since I last "rode" it.
I rode then pushed then rode again up via Red Tarn Beck. From the Tarn, you can head east then northeast to the top of Birkhouse Moor as an out and back. Retrace your steps to the Tarn then you can nip up on to Catstye Cam as an out and back from the saddle.
I carried up Swirral Edge. It is a scramble and best done by heading straight up.
When to top out, you are at the summit of Helvellyn. I like to keep relatively close to the edge of the cliffs to take in the views.
Dollywagon is a long stone staircase with one granny stopper drainage channel if memory serves. I actually really like it in a weird way. The descent from Grisedale Tarn is lovely.
May I suggest an early evening ride from the summit of Gowbarrow Fell following the footpath that skirts round the southern face of the fell if you are feeling fresh? One exposed bit not to fall at but it is a joyous little descent.
Cheers
sanny
Tell me something to add onto Dollywaggon/Grisedale decent on H tomorrow?
Assuming you've already done Angle Tarn?
Fairly short, but the path that links Hartsop above How footpath to Cow Bridge car park is a cracker
Cheers Sanny & Mark,
In the end my mate was set on 4 passes so we did that. Will defo try out the options you mention above some time, when I've rehydrated....
Thread reawakening time - well, it has been a while and I have still been exploring the Wainwrights.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.
The Eastern Fells in winter
Back at the tail end of November, the Lakes had a nice dump of snow on the high peaks. Always watching for an opportunity, I sneaked a cheeky Friday off and headed down to Deepdale Bridge at Bridgend just north of Brotherswater. Cold, crisp and clear, it was a bracing start to the ride as I pottered along the road before taking the turn off towards Hartsop Hall. Brotherswater looked lovely in the early morning light before the sun cleared the high fells. Being a working farm, I dismounted and decided to walk along the footpath that would take me to the track that rises steeply onto High Hartsop Dodd. I could see a farm worker busily going back and forth on a quad bike and was careful to avoid them. Nearing the start of the hike a bike, an angry voice in the distance behind shouted “Where the hell are you going?” They were clearly in a state of agitation. However, given that I was walking with my bike, I suitably ignored them better to let them fester in their own little hate fire of anger. Enagagement would have been like arguing with a pigeon and I suspect upon realizing I was strolling along and not riding, their anger disappeared somewhat. This is the first negative experience, if you can even call it that, on my Lakes adventures in a very long time so came as a bit of a surprise but not something to dwell upon.
Shouldering my bike at an old farm outbuilding, I turned to gaze upon the scene behind me. The hard frozen farmland gave way to gently covered white fells with whisky clouds high above. It was gorgeous. Ascending quickly with spikes on my boots to ease my way up hard frozen grass and small sections of ice, Dove Crag loomed large to the west with The Priest Hole in sharp relief against the snowy rock. At the levelling, I came across a small heart shaped memorial to a John Sollitt on his glorious mountain. I tried Google searching him but nothing came up. Hopefully, he would have liked this little reminder of his time on the fells. High Hartsop Dodd had been summited in less than an hour from the car. It would definitely go as a descent but you would lose your earned height in jig time.
Pressing on, I rode then carried onto the summit of Little Hart Crag, somewhere I had ridden back in April. With icicles hanging from peat hags and a hard frozen mini tarn to cross, it was a different but no less enjoyable place to be, affording gorgeous views down Scandale Pass to Ambleside and Lake Windermere beyond. Keen to keep going, I pressed on, picking a line off the summit through rocks and sections of ice before crossing Bakestones Moss on a clear trail. Ahead lay the steep but short carry onto Dove Crag. Chatting to a fellow mountain traveller who had descended towards me, I spotted his Nikon camera prompting an impromptu meeting of camera geeks quarterly. leaving him behind, I contemplated retracing my steps. I had lost one of my Rab Vapor Rise gloves. Should I go back? I reflected and then thought bugger it, I was on the clock and it is only a glove. It had served me well and I had two spare sets of gloves with me so it was not a disaster.
Cresting the gently rounded slopes of the ridge to Hart Crag, the snow lay deep but with just the right level of crust to be largely rideable which made for easy riding to a soundtrack of crunching snow and RAF jets that graced me with a couple of fly boys. Dove Crag summit is a smashing spot as it affords magnificent views right across Lakeland. Hunger had kicked in and having already tanned a Peperami, I made a start on the sausage roll I bought in the newsagent in Glenridding. It was by now cold but tasted fabulous. With a gentle breeze, it would have been easy to chill down so I was glad I had packed my down jacket.
Suitably refueled, I pressed on, descending down to the saddle below Hart Crag. The wind had blown the snow into some beautiful shapes making it easy to see where the prevailing wind comes from. Chatting to a couple of walkers whom I met and passed, I was now back into unknown territory. Having picked @justinbieber ‘s trail brain, I knew to avoid the descent from Hart Crag. Instead I took a diagonal Singletrack trail that somehow managed to weave through the jumble of rocks that looked like it would be a total ballache from above. Amazingly, it wasn’t and only required a couple of very brief dismounts to navigate. I had contemplated a visit to The Priest Hole but some whispy clouds had started to gather from the west and I did not want to lose the daylight even though it was not even half twelve in the afternoon. An unexpected, slow speed spill saw me break my dropper lever - annoying but not ride limited as a bit of Gorilla Tape made for a suitably effective fix.
I was now heading down the ridge of Hartsop above How and very much enjoying it. It undulates but the general theme is down. I have long looked at it as a descent and it was proving to be thoroughly good fun. Looking down Buckstones into Dovedale, the surrounding fells have a real sense of grandeur. The path was easy to follow although I suspect it might get boggy so one for the long dry day of summer or a hard frozen winter adventure. I was grateful for the ice spikes tyres as there were several sections that might catch the unwary and one small crag to bypass that would not be rideable. Thereafter, it is an easy enough ride down all the way into the open field below Deepdale Park and where I had parked. I was back at the car in under four and a half hours so by no means an epic but a most enjoyable mini adventure. Of course, with plenty of daylight left, I decided to keep going and take in Arnison Crag, just south of Patterdale. perhaps a touch more than 2km out and back, it is a fell that was conspicuous from my list of ones that I had ridden.
Starting on the main road, I snuck through mature deciduous woodland and navigated a particularly treacherous section of iced over bedrock before following the clear path up beside a dry stone wall that would lead to the summit. Noting Oxford Crag as somewhere to visit for a bit of future scrambling fun, it was a carry all the way to the summit. By now, the weather had turned and I found myself under leaden skies with a bit of light sleet for company. The cloud had hit fast and the glorious blue skies of earlier had been replaced with the surrounding tops shrouded. I thought it the two walkers whom I had met as they ascended Hartsop above How into the oncoming cloud. I suspect their experience of the summits would be less enjoyable than mine had been. They had planned to ascend Scafell Pike the next day but with high winds, cloud and rain forecast, I gently suggested that they leave it for a day when they could see more than just their hands in front of them.
Being one for big views, I didn’t stay long at the summit - I’ve seen the fells clouded over many times so no need to prolong that. The descent was short but sweet, marred only by an ill timed puncture. Definitely worth a quick hour of anyone’s time, I would say. Soon back at the car, I got chatting again to a walker whom I met just before the summit. He too had had a fine day on the fells but was eager to get back home to Whitehaven as the rain started falling heavily. I pondered the ride as I positively inhaled my cold Tim Horton breakfast roll (with extra hash brown, of course). It was not my usual big day out on the fells but as a way of completing the Eastern Fells, it had been a most enjoyable adventure. Definitely worth a return trip.
Cheers
Sanny
Once I have had my lunch, I will update on a great day out, focusing on the less frequented far western fells, Harter Fell and some rewarding stuff in the Far Eastern fells.
Cheers
Sanny
Really keen to hear all about your Lakeland adventures of the last few months.
The Lakes have been few and far between for me of late, but I did manage a morning over Xmas to do a ride over Lough rigg and along to Elterwater ,Over Lingmor fell to Little Langdale . on to Tilberthwaite . At this point the xc ride took a turn for the up and I headed up Weatherlam as the ground was rock hard due to well below freezing conditions, made riding almost tarmac like . From the summit I descended down to Hole Rake and down to Coniston .. Conditions were sketchy at best with ice and frost . The police had closed the road at Shepards bridge due to a sideways campervan and ice but this was no match for the Maxxis Aggressor on the rear of my Tallboy and my size 12 northwave outriggers as I slid past with a look of confusion and bewilderment on the officers face...
After a few miles and a pedal back up to the YHA at Loughrigg I had a clear run back to Rydal before the 1.5 mile on the worlds busiest tourist lane under Loughrigg just full of ewww people!
Fingers crossed with the M6 now open this weekend a trip to Keswick or Torvor might be on the cards weather pending that is .
Great write up Sanny.
My lakes trips are a bit curtailed these days due to travelling and just not managing to get up there.
Your not the only one to fall foul of the farmer there. I've had a few words fired at my direction too. Grumpy bugger. He's quite well known in the area for hating just about everybody.
@Sanny - not too much lakes riding for me in the last wee while. The kids' enthusiasm for riding has centred on trail centres and jumps so I've been dragged (happily) into that for days out a lot of the time. And the great weather for most of 2025 has meant loads of local riding in prime conditions so travelling further afield has seemed less worth the effort.
Still had a few good days out in the lakes, mainly variations of familiar favourites - Borrowdale bash plus Honister into Warnscale and back via Rigg Beck, a few times into the NW fells from Braithwaite, Helvellyn, some Caldbeck Fells and a couple of others but very little exploratory stuff from me.
Borrowdale bash plus Honister into Warnscale and back via Rigg Beck
Sounds like a big day but a great route. How long did that take?
I guess a fair few places are boggy and very wet at the moment . Im debating something tomorrow but not really up for a boggy start .