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North to South Title, image & Intro

Cycling In The Lake District - North to South Self Guided

 When Cycling In The Lake District you'll see Derwent water

UK Lake District - Northern England

146 miles (235km) over 4 days

With its UNESCO World Heritage status, the English Lake District National Park is a truly stunning place to explore, and what better way to do so than from the saddle, at your own pace. Cycling in the Lake District offers the perfect way to immerse yourself in this beautiful landscape while enjoying the flexibility of a self-guided tour.

This UK cycling holiday takes you on a journey from the north to the south, taking in many of the ‘must-see’ locations along the way, using a combination of back roads and gravel cycleways. With CycleActive being based on the doorstep to the Lakes, we know the area extremely well, and our itinerary will enable you to make the most out of your time in the park.

One of the key benefits of self-guided tours is that, with so much to see along the route, you can choose how to spend your time, selecting your highlights from our detailed tour notes. Cycling in the Lake District allows you to explore at your own pace, ensuring you don’t miss out on the beauty and charm of this iconic region.

If you are happy to travel light and pack all you need for the 5 days into your panniers, then this tour is ideal. However, if you want a bag transferred between guest houses, we also offer this additional service. This tour doesn’t have a minimum number, so whatever your group size, we can cater for it.

0 km
145 miles
Distance
0 m
10426 ft
Elevation

This 235km (146mile) tour is designed to take in many of the quiet backroads and traffic free, gravel cycleways, that makes cycling in the national park world class. Hybrid, touring, gravel or e-bikes, are ideal and there are plenty of local bike shops along the route to help with any issues. Once you have completed the ride you can either jump on a train, returning to your car in Penrith, or start your onward journey. With Penrith being on the West coast mainline it is very easy to access the tour without a car from the likes of London or Manchester Airport.

North to South Packages

Select Your Package Level

Bronze

£505

per person

5 nights Hostel accommodation

- 28 years worth of route knowledge from living in the National park
- Detailed gpx files and digital tour notes.
- CycleActive water bottle
- Detailed travel documents in our app

Full payment required

Silver

£625

per person

5 nights B&B Guest house accommodation

- All breakfasts
- 28 years worth of route knowledge from living in the National park
- Detailed gpx files and digital tour notes.
- CycleActive water bottle
- Detailed travel documents in our app

£300 deposit with the final balance due 30 days before the tour date

Gold

£985

per person

5 nights Lakeland Hotels accommodation

- All breakfasts
- 28 years worth of route knowledge from living in the National park
- Detailed gpx files and digital tour notes.
- CycleActive water bottle
- Detailed travel documents in our app

£400 deposit with the final balance due 30 days before the tour date

North to South dates

Trip Dates

Duration

Any Sunday – Friday

Excluding Christmas period

The Lake District North to South Self-Guided Tour is available on bespoke dates. It's a perfect option for cycling in the Lake District. Contact us to check availability.

North to South information, Extras
Cycling Support

This trip is self-guided and unsupported, so once you head out on your cycling days you are responsible for your own safety and your own journey from point to point.

Pre-arranged luggage transfers are delivered by a 3rd party company.

Riders who can’t complete the days ride will require a taxi at an additional cost.

Optional extras

Single room guarantee

B&B - £300
Hotels - £580

There is no supplement for solo travellers who are willing to share a twin-bedded room with the same gender.

CycleActive will confirm the tour once the second person for the shared room has booked.

Luggage transfers

£80

You are limited to 1 bag per person, with this being a medium holdall, rucksack or case (60ltr and 18kg Max).

Train transfer

From £20

Oxenholme to Penrith, 1 way

Rental bikes

Hybrid bike rental

£180
Hybrid bike rental

Trek
FX 3 Disc Equipped (Or similar)

Gravel bike rental

£220
Gravel bike rental

Specialized
Diverge Elite E5 (Or similar)

Electric bike rental

£260
Electric bike rental

Specialized VADO SL 4.0
320Wh + 160Wh range extender
240W/35Nm, 18kg

Trek FX+7
360Wh + 160Wh range extender
250Wh/50Nm, 19Kg

Lightweight E-Bikes enhance bike agility and offer a more natural riding feel, providing the keen cyclist who needs a boost with subtle assistance from the mid-motor that doesn't compromise the traditional cycling experience. Unlike full-fat 85Nm 29Kg E-Bikes which are designed for maximum power and acceleration, these lightweights are enjoyable to ride even above motor-assisted speeds (25kph), with three power settings available for the climbs. These lightweight E-Bikes can be ridden on flat terrain with or without power assistance.

All rental bikes include a kit bag with pump, inner tube, multi-tool, bottle cage and lock

Helmet rental:

£5
Trip information

Duration

6 days - Sunday late afternoon to Friday evening

The biking

4 days, place-to-place with route options
Self-guided with detailed trip notes, and maps
Tour group size 1+
Fitness grade 1/2 short rides
Fitness grade 2 long rides

Private, Corporate & Charity Groups

Bespoke dates can be added on request for group

Build a package around your needs.

Location

The trip starts in the small market town of Penrith.
The trip finishes in Kedal with the option to add in train tickets back the Penrith.

Secure a booking

- £300/£400 deposit + extras - Greater than 30 days before the tour departure date
- Final balance due - 30 days before the tour departure date
- Full Amount - Less than 30 days before the tour departure date

Terms & conditions

The bit people ask about:

Cancellation by you:
- Unconfirmed tour - Full Refund / move tour date
- Confirmed tour date > 30 days prior - Deposit only as a cancellation fee
- Less than 30 days to departure - 100% as the cancellation fee

Cancellation by CycleActive - you will be offered an alternative / full refund.

Travel insurance
From £28

- Book direct with Campbell Irvine
- CycleActive is an affiliate

Travel insurance

To find out more about cycling in the Lake District please read the full itinerary, or call our tour designers and chat through your questions in person.