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Lakes and Dales Loop Bike Ride Title

Lakes and Dales Loop Cycle Route

Road Cyclist on the Lakes and Dales Loop cycle route

196 mile circular road bike tour

Over 3 or 4 days

UK cycling holidays in England do not get any better than this. The Lakes and Dales Loop Cycle Route circumnavigates our most beautiful national parks, skirting the foothills of our mightiest mountains, meandering along the Eden Valley with its picture-perfect stone-built villages: It is no wonder that The Telegraph newspaper described this journey as “Britain's most beautiful bike route.”

This fabulous cycle ride was designed collaboratively by local and national groups, intent on showcasing the very best cycling, most welcoming towns and villages, and stunning natural scenery that abound in The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.

At CycleActive we know this region, and this route, inside out – it’s been our home for over 28 years and our HQ is in Penrith, the official start point for this cycle tour.Our organised tours of the Lakes and Dales Loop Cycle Route can be enjoyed over 3 or 4 days of riding. With a combination of backroad cycling and a great experiences of Lakes and Dales life, culture, food and scenery along the way.

This is a self-guided tour, so you do need to be fairly self-sufficient during the daily rides. The route is signed on the road, we provide you with a fully marked up map, and can give you digital downloads of the route for your phone or GPS device to make things run smoothly. We organise great accommodation in hand-picked hotels and guesthouses, vehicle support for emergencies (so breaking down doesn’t mean the end of the ride), and move your bags from point to point so you can cycle with just what you need during the day.

0 km
196 miles
Distance
0 m
15452 ft
Elevation

The quiet roads make this ride perfect for road bikes as its 100% tarmac. Hybrid bikes, e-bikes and mountain bikes are also welcome. You can also choose to hire a bike and helmet from CycleActive, which gives you greater flexibility if arriving by train. The Lake District is only three and a half hours from London Euston train station.

Lakes and Dales Loop Packages

Select Your Package Level

Bronze

3 Day

£260

4 Day

£275

per person

- Daily baggage transfers
- Available on scheduled dates
- Emergency mechanical breakdown support
- The Lakes and Dales Loop Cycle Route GPX
- CycleActive water bottle

- Detailed travel documents in our app

Wanting to book your own accommodation? Then this is the package for you.
Contact us for details

Full payment required

Silver

3 Day

£400

4 Day

£495

per person

- Daily baggage transfers
- Available on scheduled dates
- Emergency mechanical breakdown support
- The Lakes and Dales Loop Cycle Route GPX

- 3 / 4 nights B&B accommodation
- CycleActive water bottle
- Detailed travel documents in our app

£150 deposit - 3 Day Version
£200 deposit 4 Day Version
With the final balance due 30 days before the tour date

Gold

3 Day

£460

4 Day

£555

per person

- Daily baggage transfers
- Available on scheduled dates
- Emergency mechanical breakdown support
- The Lakes and Dales Loop Cycle Route GPX

- 3 / 4 nights B&B accommodation
- OS map
- Detailed travel documents in our app

- Car Parking pre-paid, at pick-up / drop off location.
- Veloforte Energy Pack - 19 items
- CycleActive water bottles - 2 items

£150 deposit - 3 Day Version
£200 deposit 4 Day Version
With the final balance due 30 days before the tour date

Lakes and dales dates

2026 Trip Dates

All dates have availability (unless stated)

3 Day Version

Duration

Thursday - Sunday Evening

14 - 17 May 2026

16 places left

18 - 21 June 2026

17 places left

10 - 13 September 2026

16 places left

4 Day Version

Duration

Wednesday - Sunday Evening

13 - 17 May 2026

16 places left

17 - 21 June 2026

17 places left

09 - 13 September 2026

16 places left

Lakes and Dales Loop information, Extras
Cycling Support

This trip is self-guided with emergency mechanical breakdown support.

We provide contact details, which you can use in an emergency. Please note mechanical bike support is provided by our luggage vehicle which is unable to transport people.

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

Optional extras

Single room guarantee

3 nights - £185
4 nights - £250

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.

Navigation

£20

Paper OS map: £20
GPX files for your GPS: Included
Google Maps link for your phone: Included

Extra night at the end

From £120

£130 Double / twin room (2 people)
£120 Single occupancy in a double / twin room

Contact us after booking online if you require an extra night at the end (Can't be added during online booking)

Rental bikes

Hybrid bike rental

3 days - £135
4 days - £180
Hybrid bike rental

Trek
FX 3 Disc Equipped (Or similar)

Gravel bike rental

3 days - £165
4 days - £220
Gravel bike rental

Specialized
Diverge Elite E5 (Or similar)

Electric bike rental

3 days - £195
4 days - £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

4 days - (3 days of riding)

5 days - (4 days of riding)

The biking

3 or 4 days, place-to-place
Self-guided
Tour group size 8 - 30
Fitness grade 4 - (3 day)
Fitness grade 3 - (4 day)

Private, Corporate & Charity Groups

Bespoke dates can be added on request for group

Build a package around your needs.

Location

The Lakes and Dales Loop Cycle Route trip starts and finishes in Penrith

Secure a booking

- £150 / £200 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 our Lakes and Dale Loop Cycle Route cycling holiday please read the full itinerary, or call our tour designers and chat through your questions in person.