I am planning a weekend in the lakes next year and having not been there was wondering which routes i should be riding as a good taste of all the best that the Lakes has to offer.

Which would you guys recommend? Preferably two routes close together so that we can base ourselves in one place.

For me it would be a Walna Scar / Dunnerdale Loop, and a long route taking in Iron keld, Loughrigg Terrace and Garburn, based from 10 miles or so from Ambleside kind of area

back of Skiddaw

Anything from here

I tend to make up my own using OS maps.

But it all depends on your fitness, ability and weather.

All of the bike shops have pre-printed maps of the best/classic routes.

Starting from the south, Wheelbase, Biketreks, Keswick mountain bikes and maybe Evans in Kendal. Drop into any of these shops with a map and they should be able to advise or sell you their maps for a couple of pounds.
Google all of the above……………………

There is;
Walna Scar
Garburn Pass
Kentmere
High St
Helvellyn
Grizdale
Whinlatter
Borrowdale Bash
Various Skidaw routes

Across the other side of the M6 you have the Howgills, Bowderdale, the Calf, High Cup Nick and Cross Fell for mega all day rides.

Endless routes if you can read a map 😀

Helvelln ? u cant get a bike on 'striding edge' dude ! lol unless your on a uni cycle that is ! hahaha

We did Helvellyn last year, went up the back of Dolly (something) Peak and came down the miners path. The up was horrible, as after the tarn its basically a vertical carry…, but the run down was TOP!

Also did the High Street ridge the previous day, and really enjoyable.

Depends how long a day you want but the route round Coniston incorporating Walna Scar and bits of Grizedale is pretty hard to beat.

Could easily spend another day doing the rest of the BWs in Grizedale/Claife based in the same place.

went up the back of Dolly (something) Peak

Dollywagon Pike – why anyone would go up that way is beyond me, other routes are much more ridable 🙂

*Request*

Best big route from Consiton to Claiffe and back please.

Tech singletrack or rocky double goodness.

Best big route from Consiton to Claiffe and back please.

Just have a look at the Boggies site link^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^:lol:
Get your map out and plan your own using BWs.

Base yourself in coniston.

1st Day do Torver, Stephehnson Ground, Seathwaite, Walna Scar, Coniston.

2nd Day head up Lawson park, Parkamoor, Moor Lane, Breasty Haw, Esthwaite Water, Fox, Silurian Way to VC, Climb the NF Trail to Mustard Hill and either Descend the other Lawson Park, or Head back over Parkamoor down to Nibthwaite and back around the lake.

You simply cant go wrong round there. Drop me a line if you need MMO's.

Just have a look at the Boggies site link^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^:lol:

I do very often but he puts up so many effing routes to choose from! Cant beat a locals opinion…

lowey speaks the truth.

Best big route from Consiton to Claiffe and back please.

You got Memory Map?

I'd do High Street one day and a loop out from Ambleside thats called something like 'big day out' in the Stanton / Gore guide book.

Yep, Scruff's got Memory Map and so have I (and I've got a Garmin and I guess he's asking for a ride I shall be going on) so post away!

YGM

Memory Map yes please !

Thanks for that memory map – I'll forward it onto Scruff.

Yup

What Lowey says

I do very often but he puts up so many effing routes to choose from!

well, pardon me 🙂