Fat Tyres Mountain Bike Routes

Statistics

• Distance: 26km (16mi)
• Ascent: 823m (2,871ft)
• Effort: 2/5
• Technical: 4/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 37%

Summary

This easy to moderate route starts and ends in Keswick and performs a full loop around the picturesque Derwent Water. Despite being relatively easy effort wise, the Borrowdale Bash includes several miles of wonderful technical singletrack and beautiful views across Keswick, Derwent Water, Skiddaw and the fells beyond.

As mentioned the route starts in Keswick (making it easy to access directly from the A66). The first leg takes the road south along the east bank of Derwent Water before climbing into the fells past Ashness Bridge and towards Watendlath Tarn. It then drops you back into the Borrowdale valley and climbs the other side where it climbs once again, flanking High Spy and returning North to Keswick via the Allerdale Ramble high above the west bank of Derwent Water.

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Statistics

• Distance: 22km (14mi)
• Ascent: 698m (?ft)
• Effort: 2/5
• Technical: 2/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 70%

Summary

Out of all the mountain pass routes in the Lake District, Garburn Pass is an ideal place to start if you're new to this kind of high altitude riding. It can also form part of several longer routes including the infamous three passes route.

The route starts at Stavely in the Lake District and circumnavigates Sour Howes and Sallows as it climbs the pass before dropping down into Kentmere and a fast road spin back to the start. The views across Windermere are stunning when they reveal themselves from behind as you climb the pass.

All in all this is a not-too-strenuous mountain pass route and a must-ride route for all mountain bikers.

Statistics

• Distance: 20km (12mi)
• Ascent: 1,077m (3,534ft)
• Effort: 3/5
• Technical: 4/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 91%

Summary

This is a technical and strenuous route taking you to the summit and back of England’s highest peak legally accessible by mountain bike, Helvellyn.

Although this shouldn't be attempted by the faint-hearted, the promise of 1,077m of descending offers enough motivation to make all the climbing worth it. This combined with the breathtaking views across the Lake District and as far as Scotland on a clear day should be enough to put Helvellyn firmly on any serious mountain biker's to-do list. So what are you waiting for?

Statistics

• Distance: 37km (23mi)
• Ascent: 1,461m (4,793ft)
• Effort: 4/5
• Technical: 4/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 95%

Summary

This difficult route takes in not only the High Street summit but also 4 (or more with a few detours!) other summits and the Ullswater lakeside bridleway. As you can imagine it blends tough climbing and technical riding with long sections of single-track and fun technical sections. It’s not for the faint hearted, but it’s definitely worth it!

Statistics

• Distance: 35km (22mi)
• Ascent: 875m (2,871ft)
• Effort: 3/5
• Technical: 4/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 39%

Summary

This route makes for a great morning or afternoon ride, or if you fancy something technical without too much effort because it involves hardly any climbing and yet it still manages to take in what is probably the best technical bridleway in the country – the Ullswater lakeside path from Howtown to Glenridding.

Not only is the technical riding superb, it also affords breathtaking views across Ullswater.

The only downside of this ride is the long road section it starts with. The first 11 miles are on-road but this just serves as access to the ride itself, and it’s over in no time anyway and the scenery is fantastic.