EPIC Itinerary Title
Lake District MTB - Introduction
The Lake District is England’s largest national park and home to some of the most spectacular biking, not only in the UK but anywhere.
If your UK mountain biking never gets much beyond trail centres, this trip will show you a whole other world: a world of high summits with jaw-dropping views, massive, gnarly, rocky descents that last for miles yet have not one other rider on them (except the rest of your group, of course), where you come off the trail and almost directly into the garden of a local pub, serving fresh Cumbrian food and locally brewed beers to help you through the afternoon…
If this sounds appetising, then maybe it’s time for a change from UK trail centres or foreign holidays? Maybe it’s time for an epic, all-mountain adventure through the most awe-inspiring, technique challenging, physically demanding, big and beautiful trails that The Lake District, the UK, maybe even the World has to offer. This is THE trip for anyone who wants to sample UK all mountain biking at its absolute best.
Usual daily distances:
40 - 50 km
25 - 32 miles
Terrain:
The ancient network of bridleways grants us access to an exceptional variety of remote tracks and trails. These routes are often rocky and technically challenging, occasionally linked by stretches of quiet country backroads, offering a truly diverse riding experience throughout the trip.
If you'd like to learn more about the mountain biking, the guiding, or anything else regarding the Lakeland Epic tour, please get in touch, and one of our team members will get back to you.
This tour is designed for full-suspension trail bikes with 130–160 mm travel. E-bikes are more than welcome, and charging facilities are available at all accommodations. However, there are a few short, unavoidable “hike-a-bike” sections where you’ll need to push your bike using walk mode.
Ride Description
Day 1 - Arrival
Sunday
The tour begins on Sunday in Penrith, located in the north-eastern corner of the Lake District. It’s easily accessible by road (M6, Junction 40), rail (West Coast Main Line), and air (Manchester Airport, followed by a direct train from the airport). You’re welcome to arrive anytime this afternoon to settle into our bike-friendly accommodation, prepare your bike and gear, and explore the town.
While in Penrith, you’ll find plenty of great places to eat in the evening and have the chance to meet the rest of the group. On Monday morning, your CycleActive guide will meet you bright and early at the CycleActive HQ, just a 5-minute drive from the town centre, where you’ll leave your car for the duration of the tour. If you’re arriving by train, simply let us know and we’ll arrange to collect you.
Guest house location: Penrith
Meals Included: None
Cycling: 0 miles, 0km
Day 2 - Ullswater and Kirkstone Pass
Monday
Our adventure begins as we pedal through the gates of our 14th-century HQ at Brougham Hall, soon crossing into the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Lake District and arriving at the impressive Lowther Castle.
Our route quickly takes us onto little-known trails, climbing over Barton Fell with stunning views of Ullswater, the second largest and arguably most beautiful lake in the National Park. As we spin down the first great descent, a mix of rocks, grass, gravel and some skinny singletrack too, you'll quickly get a flavour for the terrain that's in store for you.
You’ll also get a sense of the majestic scenery that will dominate this journey – on the horizon is the saddle-back shape of Blencathra Mountain to the north, the giant peaks of the Helvellyn range to the north-west and winding eastwards out of view is the high ridge of High Street.
Our destination for today is Ambleside, which means we have some big hills to cross as we head into the centre of The Lakes. The route can vary depending on the group and the weather (that's why we have professional and experienced guides) but our favourite is to take in classics like Boredale Hause, site of a great many magazine photoshoots including What Mountain Bike covers and the set for our WMB/Adidas/CycleActive skills video ‘descent techniques section’ – for a very good reason!
From here we tackle the mighty Kirkstone Pass and Jenkins Crag to make for a really exhilarating first day on the bikes. When we roll into Ambleside we will head straight to the guest house, where you've got time for a shower and any bike fettling needed, before walking into town to sample some great food.
Guest house location: Ambleside
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycling: 27 miles , 43km
Day 3 - Classic Kentmere and Garburn Pass
Tuesday
Today’s ride explores the superb trails located to the east of Ambleside, with us riding a figure of eight loop finishing back in Ambleside, where we spend another night. The region we’re heading into is the Kentmere Valley, a place of open, sweeping trails made technically demanding by huge boulder fields, rocky slabs, and loose fist sized rocks that skate beneath your wheels as you tear through the turns.
But that’s not all – the rests come of rolling grassy singletracks and a few ‘man-made’ type trails that are paths repaired by local charity Fix-the-Fells
The real classic of the day, though, is Garburn Pass, voted by Mountain Bike Rider magazine as one of the top 10 descents in the whole of Britain. The climb to the summit is managed through a series of linking trails that seem not-too-technical, but at the summit you have to enjoy the views because a few seconds later your eyes will be glued to the trail. This route has many other superb, flowing, fast sections on it and there are options we can explore depending on time, weather and how people are feeling – also there are quick on-road shortcuts back to Ambleside if anyone is feeling tired.
The plan, though, is to enjoy another great day of riding with the group and be back in Ambleside for a late afternoon cuppa before cleaning off the bikes, freshening up, and getting out to sample more great local food and drink.
Guest house location: Ambleside
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycling: 25 miles , 40km
Day 4 - Quarries, forests and speed records
Wednesday
Today we blaze through the best trails in the central lakes, never going too high or crossing any major passes but instead focussing on fast, flowing, mid-altitude tracks. It’s still a challenging day with loads of singletrack and rocky bridleways to keep you entertained.
Once we have negotiated the single track which hugs the side of Loughrigg, we head into the slate quarries, riding past Hodge Close and Catherdal Cavern, two remarkable and beautiful water-filled caves.
Your guide will then pick a route through Grisdale Forest, riding the best bits of the man made bike routes and technical bridleways that cut through the trees and give us some great views towards the sea.
Once on the ridgeline we can look down on Coniston Water, famed for Donald Campbell’s attempt at the World Water Speed Record in The Bluebird in 1967, and behind the lake and the sleepy Lakeland village that shares its name, rises the impressive peak of Coniston Old Man. Our ride ends as we drop to the south on the final breath-taking descent of the day. Home for the night will be in one of Coniston's superb country pubs, sampling the local ales and seasonal menus.
Guest house location: Coniston
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycling: 27 miles , 43km
Day 5 - Crossing valleys
Thursday
This next leg of our journey takes us across the Lake District’s south–north divide, heading north toward the market town of Keswick, nestled in the shadow of Skiddaw Mountain.
The route takes us beneath the craggy peaks of the Old Man of Coniston range, where sheer rock walls and freely flowing waterfalls dominate the landscape. Our first destination is the mouth of the Langdale Valley, with its postcard-perfect scenery and the towering presence of Gimmer Crag and Bowfell overhead. This is the true heart of the Lake District.
The ascent of Stake Pass is certainly a challenge and with bikes thrown on shoulders for a section of hike-a-bike, height is quickly gained: don’t forget to look back occasionally to admire the epic view.
The descent will test your newfound Lake District skill set with a 260m drop in under 1km.
Another ebike-friendly option is to sneak around to the east into the Thirlmere Valley, crossing a less technical pass into the high farming village of Watendlath.
With the high mountain passes behind us for the day, we find ourselves on the last half of the Borrowdale "Bash" heading towards Keswick. This classic ride is a local favourite, due to its intoxicating combination of flowing singletrack and rocky descents.
Guest house location: Keswick
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycling: 28 miles , 45km
Day 6 - Through the Northern Peaks
Friday
For the final day on the bikes we have several great options available, all bringing us back into Penrith and the CycleActive HQ where it all started.
Following the cart wheels of traders passed, we use the ancient 'Coach Road' to head East. This high level track has huge panoramic views of Skiddaw and Blencathra as it climbs up, eventually crossing into the familiar Ullswater valley. Ice creams are compulsory in Pooley Bridge, before climbing back onto Askham fell, following the path of the Roman road, once used by soldiers heading the 'the wall'.
With the mountains to our backs you will know the end of five incredible biking days is almost coming to a close. Once we reach the HQ you will have time to change, relax and enjoy a drink to celebrate the achievement of completing a Lakes Epic.
Guest house location: Not included in the tour, but extra nights can be reserved on request, for either this night alone or for a weekend stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycling: 28 miles , 45km