[Closed] Best descent in the Lakes area?

Nan Bield, Hellvelyn down to Glenriding?

From Lonscale fell down latrigg into Keswick, not technical, not swoopy but for some reason that ride on a summers evening clear of walkers.... pure heaven IMO.

Recently- Walna Scar to the Quarry. I'm still 'learning' the Lakes though 🙂

Not done Nan Bield yet - that's on my list to try soon. Which Hellvelyn descent do you mean, down Dollywagon/Grisedale?

I like that Latrigg descent too (when free of walkers it's fast as hell), is it called Spoony Green Lane?

Walna Scar is also great - I like long descents.

Yes dollywagon/grisdale.

I think the descent down Iron Keld would be one of my favourites - there isn't any 1 thing about it that is "better" than anything else in the area, but there is a superb combination of fun, views, speed... and a couple of jars in the Drunken Duck before hand may have added to the memories 🙂

That's a nice one through the Howgills though, not done that since the early 1990's!

Another I love is coming over from Troutbeck to Ambleside - cannae remember the name, but that is a lovely bit of trail.

Jenkin Crag?

Garburn Pass is another favourite of mine come to think of it.

I'd go with Garburn pass, very good descent!

Top of the calf through borrowdale in the howgills. Did it the other day with haddock and it's amazing

The best descents in the Lakes are definitely the cheeky ones..............quite why Englandshire persists with the notion of walker good, biker bad is beyond me. The hills are big enough to accommodate everyone.

Sanny

Nan Bield the other way is apparently quite exciting I have heard! Sticks pass to the mine and down to Glenridding is really good. Would add my vote for the section from Grisedale tarn down to Patterdale. Not so keen on Walna Scar it's a bit dull really.

Garburn down to kentmere is a bit dull, over in a flash. Down to Troutbeck is awesome especially the bottom bit on a short travel bike riding like you stole it.

Would be nice to hear of any more out of the way descents, obscure stuff.

Do we post about <ahem> cheeky routes on here or is that not the done thing?

Top of the calf through borrowdale in the howgills.

Bowderdale? Not been that way - the VG Guide describes it as very disappointing - I take it they are wrong then?

The best descents in the Lakes are definitely the cheeky ones.

Any examples?

I liked the bit from Grisedale Tarn on Hellvelyn, but the steps at the top spoilt it a bit for me.

Nice technical but shortish descent - Boredale Hause to Side Farm

Walna Scar Road to Coniston or Garburn Pass to Kentmere for me.

Boredale Hause- not a descent as such however further along from there- along the Ullswater singletrack. Rocktastic and goes on FOREVER 😀

Current favourite is still Ullock Pike (off Skiddaw). However, I'm off to try Gasgale Gill from Coldale Hause for the first time on Sunday - should be fun.

Yep Ullswater singletrack is a belter, especially if you go south to north and take the top track, to 'silver point'
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This is like that question about naming your top 5 fave songs - it makes my head explode trying to choose. So I'll pick the last good one I did a couple of weeks back to stop my brain frying.

I reckon the downhill into Boot from Burnmoor Tarn was blimmin good fun - 2 of us did it v early morning, not a walker in sight. One of those does life get any better moments. I was grinning my face off at the end of that one.

The long bridleway into Seathwaite (Styhead Gyll?) is pretty good too.

Never done Nan Bield and that looks ace - we had to can our last attempt at that cos someone fell off big style beforehand forcing a re-plan etc. But's it's defo on the list of ones I think I must try.

I love riding in the lakes per se - it's just brilliant for big days out pretty much all year round.

We looped right round (avoiding the singletrack along the back of Boredale Hause. Started the descent across grass then faster down- brings you out next to some farm buildings- onto tarmac as you loop round then onto it proper- is that right Richyb? I dont know any names- I just follow!

Richyb

A fine trail that is indeed.

Parkedtiger - agreed. It's an absolute classic. I rode that the weekend before last. Absolutely outstanding with very few walkers compared to the main Bridleway.

Has anyone ridden on or around Haystacks and that area? What about Grisedale Pike to the west of Keswick?

Cheers

Sanny

I think I want to move to the Lakes.

There's two great descents heading off the top of Grisedale towards Whinlatter - Hobcarton End and 'the other one'. Both well worth the shove up (although the next time I go up, I'm planning on riding up the South Loop of the Altura trail then just jump the fence).

Sounds like you did an anti clockwise loop, pushing up from Side Farm, then down Boredale (or maybe Martindale) to Sandwick and then south along the lakeside (Ullswater on your right) to complete the loop. Its better IMO if you do it clockwise. From side farm head north along the lake side then pick up the top track which ends up with a great technical descent to silver point (as on pic above), then you follow the lakeshore to Sandwick, and loop round into Boredale, you then climb up the valley steadily (bit of hike a bike at the top) and finish with a great descent from Boredale Hause to Side Farm, some pics below. Makes a great short loop/night ride

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Yep we had the lake on our right as we went along Ullswater singletrack. seemed faster-no pedalling for almost the whole way along- just carried the speed to climb up each 'U' in the trail 😀

will suggest we try your route next time tho as the above pics look mightily-tastey.

Nice one people - got some more to try now. More pics would be nice too.

That descent down to Side Farm looks fun - been down from Boredale Hause towards Low Hartsop which is silly steep and loose at the top but not that interesting.

Plus..... I have allthegearnoidea new forks now- Lyriks so I will be able to compensate muchly for my lack of talent 😀

Just before the Hike a Bike
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Nan Bield towards Kentmere [img] [/img]

How hard is Nan Bield? Is it rollable or alot of sustained line-picking and not good for sh*t riders?

RichyB, where is side farm on the amp, cant see it on streetmap?
[url] http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=325500&y=507500&z=120&sv=rossett+gill&st=3&tl=Map+of+Rossett+Gill,+Cumbria+ [Water+Feature]&searchp=ids.srf&mapp=map.srf[/url]
North of Rooking on that BW?

hora, I rode it with MikeW of surrey Hills fame and we both though it ace, pretty tech in places - and the hike a bike is awful to be honest but worth it!

freeridenick - its the campsite marked on the right hand side of Ullswater here I believe.

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=338500&y=517500&z=120&sv=glenridding&st=3&tl=Map+of+Glenridding,+Cumbria+ [City/Town/Village]&searchp=ids.srf&mapp=map.srf

cheers grumm, though it was around there somewhere.

[img] [/img] - just found my own answer from the Side farm website!

I was confused by your map link of Rossett Gill!

yes sorry was looking at another route!

Still to have a crack at Rossett Gill, some friends pics below
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freeridenick are the techy-bits sustained or can you have a breather inbetween? I dont mind relatively open rocky/loose bits inbetween or places to stop- its the relentless long turning stepdowns that fry my brain!!

Rossett Gill looks too hard for me 🙁

hora, tech bits with breathers I would say!

Rossett Gill looks amazing! RichyB, can you link me to these pics on flickr, cheers Nick

Ullock Pike looks good but very cheeky !

Its a friends site with family pics/personal stuff on as well so I probably shouldn't, those are the best pics!

Fair play attempting Rosset. Way above my comfort zone. I hated walking down it, never mind on a bike.

I Like these :-

Walna Scar
[url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=330275&y=491317&z=120&sv=330275,491317&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=715&ax=330275&ay=491317&lm=0 ]Parkamor to Nibthwaite[/url]
[url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=322440&y=495214&z=120&sv=322440,495214&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=715&ax=322440&ay=495214&lm=0 ]Brook Barrow to Seathwaite.[/url]

Spoilt for choice in the Lakes though.

Wow Rossett Gill looks pretty 'core! Especially considering pics usually make stuff look flat and easy.

Looks good though - any idea what route they did incorporating it RichyB?

Def looks like one for a burly bike and pads.

Parkamoor-Nibthwaite is indeed good. I like the Lawson Park and Dad, Grandad and Dentist (I think ppl call it) in Grizedale too.

I think they went:

Seathwaite - Styhead Gill - Sprinkling Tarn - Angle Tarn - Rossett Gill - Black Crags - Stakes Pass - Langstrath Beck - Stonethwaite - Seathwaite

hora, tech bits with breathers I would say!

Phew 😀

Richyb, no probs - thanks for the route advice as well. this is a great thread.

Veering of the subject a little here, but how good are the descents on the Honister/Scarth Gap/Black Sail/Sty Head loop.

Nan Bield is my all time favourite by the way, Rosset Gill was a little to scary for me..

I'll second that David - that loop's on my list for this summer.

Rossett Gill looks pretty scary, does anybody have a map\gps file of the route?

Not done nan bield, garburn ro any skiddaw but I've already got too many great Lakes DHs to choose from most already mentioned so I'll second them.
Parkamoor, both Nibthwaite and moor lane
Walna Scar to coniston
Brock Barrow to seathwaite
Helvellyn to patterdale via grisedale
High tilberthwaite to little langdale
Loughrigg fell
Burnmoor tarn to Boot
Cant believe no ones mentioned Borrowdale, watendlath to rosthwaite bridge.
My fave bit of riding tho has to be ullswater lakeside in [b]both[/b] directions not really a DH tho.

My fave bit of riding tho has to be ullswater lakeside in both directions not really a DH tho.

Although ALL walkers were nice/jovial- it would be proper mint if you could ride down and up the troughs (like riding up steps!) at speed knowing there wasnt any walkers there 🙁

I love the Nan Bield descent (heading towards Kentmere), it's just a shame it's such a bitch to get to (although that generally keeps the walkers/other MTBers to a minimum...)

I think one of my all time favourites is probably the drop from Watendlath down to Rosthwaite:

[img] http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=yg793q&outx=699&quality=70 [/img]

Although ALL walkers were nice/jovial

Get up nice and early, park at howton or patterdale and hit it first for a walker free run. Class!

D0nk- I know I know! I got the impression alot of them thought we were 'brave' etc. Talking to a couple of old dears on Sunday who were lost on their map- they asked us alot of questions and said we must be super-fit to ride heavy bikes up the Lakes etc. Not at all (well not me)- I said we freewheel back down whereas they have to walk all the way back down again!

Second that. Surly attitude from walkers in the lakes is not uncommon, in response to friendly hellos etc. Not worth worrying about cos it spoils the karma and you only end up with their angst shared.

Early morning lakes rides are especially fantastic. It's not just the lack of walkers or anyone else come to that, it's kinda eerie how silent it is at daft o'clock. First time I did it I was quite surprised how much background noise I wasn't noticing during normal hours, but when it's not there at say 5am it's v obvious. Great time to do some of the stuff between Coniston and Windermere Grizedale, Breasty Haw etc. which get busy later on.

Trouble is on that section one or two surly walkers going in the same direction as you can really hold you up. If they are headed the other way you can just jump to oneside and wait patiently smiling throughout, but overtaking a stubborn git on or off your bike is tricky.

Skiddaw then Ullock Pike does it for me as does Whiteless pike to the back of Rannadale knotts and off the top of Robinson to the foot of Buttermere(super fast). All cheeky mind. Legal ones Styhead to Seathwaite and Blacksail to wasdale. List is endless...

Think Nan Bield will be next on my list. Can I handle the hikey-bikey with my Pitch is the question.

grumm take some padding for your shoulder.

Take a HT. The only technical bit is the start of the descent and it's slow speed tech stuff. Lighter and easier to carry.

Don't have a HT any more since it got nicked. I'm sure I will manage. How long is the hike-a-bike section? I have read 45 mins to an hour I think?

about that, my two mates with heavy bikes did it like this!
[img] [/img]

Just balance it on your camelback and plod away... its soon over. Personally, I loved the descent from Gatescath Pass to Hawsewater just as much, but that rarely gets a mention.

Ha that's an ingenious method, might try that - couldn't work out what they were doing at first!

Great thread this, will be keeping it bookmarked and giving a few of those a go. Ullock Pike is first on list as I've been wanting to check that out for a bit now.

I suppose if your into the realms of cheekyness then the list can be utterly endless in the lakes.

I remember doing the whole Coledale Horseshoe when I got my first bike in 87 or 88 I think. The descent from Grisedale Pike to Braithwaite was just awesome, burnt in my memory. The only problem was I could hardly hold the steering wheel on the way home after hours of squeezing the life out of canti breaks!

Bungalistic

Make sure lower your post a little, the section off Skiddaw goes very steep and loose for about 20metres. Theres lots of sharp rocks pointing up at you, but is definately rideable if a little on the edge. Then the rest of Ullock is a scream, best avoided at the busier times as the walkers will ruin the flow and your lines.

Hmmmmm invention time. knackered/old inner tubes interwined- one looked around your forehead (like Swahili women?) attached to the other around your bike?

Rosset Gill via Angle tarn-Styhead pass to Wasdale Head here 😈

How about Fairfield Horseshoe coming down towards Ambleside on the Grasmere side of the Horseshoe? Reasonably techy (especially as it was snowy and icy at the time).

Cat Bells on a quiet day is mighty fine too.

Ullock is mighty fine indeed. For extra cheekiness, you could always head along the Allerdale Ramble to join up with the singletrack descent (steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!) that brings you out at the small village below Skiddaw. 20.2 km of riding with over 4000 feet of climbing.........nice!

What's the best cheeky route up onto then off Grisedale Pike?

Also, has anyone tried Haystacks?

Cheers

Sanny

PS The climb along the recently renewed path from the top of Garburn to the summit of High Street is nice. It can then be used to connect up with Nan Bield for a fun descent. Far more rideable than the hoof up the Bridleway.

Great thread.

Sanny

I should imagine the descent form the Nab down to Rydal on the Fairfield would be pretty interesting.

Be night ride territory I think though.

Sanny,

Which bit of the Allerdale Ramble are you referring to and where do you join up with the descent?

peterd

I quite like Black Combe for a quick blast (nearly 2000' decent in a bit under 10 mins) although it is a slog going up.

[b]anc[/b] My seat is usually fairly low as riding uphill isn't my strong point, though I'm trying, happy to try any technical downhill as we regularely ride local dh tracks on the trusty HT's.

I presume I go down the Longside edge side of it that drops down near Ravenstone hotel, what is the descent like going the other way, down towards Lyzzick hall?

Yes drop off the summit of Skiddaw on the obvious track/path to Carlside then follow the allerdale ramble along longside edge(little climb) then down Ullock. Theres one section off Ullock that goes 'scramble steep' but can be done if you go left round a side path. Once the main part of the Ullock descent is over you come to a grassy col, turn left and back on yourself down towards Ravenstone Hotel. Nice descent through the woods.

The path off Carlside to Millbeck is also very good. Its pretty constantly steep. Steps/drainage channals at the top to jump, just the right gap between them to allow you to control your speed. You then come to some exposed white rock which is do-able but very very technical and requires some good line choice. Then very steep again to the bottom.

Have fun 😀

Sanny,
bung me a mail if you want some Grisedale info.

Peterd

Climb Land Rover track to Bealach between Dodd Wood and Longside. Follow singletrack by fence and dry stone wall to Carsleddon. Descend on the cheeky trail. Well steep at the bottom but doable. Not one to let go of the brakes on!

Anc

The steep bit you mention looks rideable if you traverse down the edge. The turn in is brutal and I didn't manage it despite several valiant attempts! I'm looking forward to going back and doing it. It's one of those lovely "I shouldn't really be trying this" sections whcih sticks in the mind. Like you say, there is an easy option that avoids it.

Cheers

Excuse the hijack - has anyone tried this loop (or something similar)around Carrock Fell (back of Blencathra):

[img] [/img]

Boredale Hause to Dale Head in Bannerdale was good in the snow. Fast not too technical and a hoot