Fat Tyres Mountain Bike Routes

Statistics

• Distance: 30km (19mi)
• Ascent: 1,366m (4,482ft)
• Effort: 4/5
• Technical: 4/5
• Scenery: 5/5
• Off-road: 76%

Summary

Our second Helvellyn route (the first is here) takes a slightly different approach. We tried to consider which of the many bridleways on the ridge are actually the most ridable, and this is what we came up with.

This route starts one the Thirlmere side of the Helvellyn range, from the carpark at Thirlspot. We climb from here on an old pony track onto the ridge, a lot of which is surprisingly rideable. After a quick there-and-back of the summit (ok then, maybe not quick!), the route follows the whole ridge from south to north before descending from Great Dodd on grassy singletrack. Finally, a blast along the Old Coach Road and a short road section gets you back to the car.

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Statistics

• Distance: 17km (10mi)
• Ascent: 589m (1,932ft)
• Effort: 2/5
• Technical: 3/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 75%

Summary

This is a fairly easy route by Lake District standards and yet still manages to give you a true feeling of remoteness in parts. It has one particularly technical section around the flank of Lonscale Fell, with a tasty looking drop off one side.

This route is good for beginners, although you may be pushing around the Lonscale Fell area, but it’s also a good route if you’re more advanced but are looking for a shorter ride, as it sqeezes some great terrain into a relatively short distance.

The route itself begins in Keswick, and starts off on the old railway route to Threlkeld. It then climbs onto the flanks of Blease Fell and follows the contours before crossing Glenderaterra Beck and returns to Keswick via the Alps-like track around Lonscale Fell.

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Statistics

• Distance: 29km (18mi)
• Ascent: 869m (2,851ft)
• Effort: 3/5
• Technical: 4/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 51%

Summary

A medium-difficulty route in the heart of the Lake District with enough technical riding to keep it interesting and some stunning scenery along the way.

We start in Ambleside and initially head south, keeping to the west of Windermere before veering right and heading west to Hawkshead. The route then takes you across the rocky crags of Furness Fells into Little Langdale.

Then, passing Elterwater and traversing Loughrigg Terrace, you’ll be spat out on the banks of Rydal Water ready for the short blast back to Ambleside.

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Statistics

• Distance: 36km (22mi)
• Ascent: 1,333m (4,373ft)
• Effort: 4/5
• Technical: 4/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 61%

Summary

This tough route takes you right around the immense Skiddaw in the Lake District, followed by the there-and-back climb and descent to its summit. The ride has an almost alpine feel at times with singletrack clinging to cliffs and a sometimes worrying-looking drop off one side when traversing Lonscale Fell.

The routes starts and ends in Keswick and uses the road to get around the east side to the north of it. This is followed by the first of the offroad with the famous Whitewater Dash climb. Then there's the sweet descent to Skiddaw House followed by a climb onto the flanks of Lonscale Fell for an amazing piece of singletrack with a long drop off one side. This brings you back to the south of Skiddaw where your task that lay ahead is to climb the remaining 631m (2,070ft) to the summit and then, to make it all worth it, the return journey!

Statistics

• Distance: 41km (25mi)
• Ascent: 1,294m (4,245ft)
• Effort: 4/5
• Technical: 3/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 66%

Summary

A difficult route that takes in both the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria. Start with a killer climb out of Sedbergh, one which takes you right to the top of The Calf at 676m (2,218ft). It’s tough but once you’re here you can rest assured that the rest of the route is predominantly downhill, and it starts right now with an awesome 6km (4mi) long descent of Bowderdale.

The return legs climbs again but this time nowhere near as much as earlier, you pass between Harter Fell and Knott before descending again on some cracking singletrack right the way back to Sedbergh, roughly following the River Rawthey. Look out for the wild horses that roam around this area!

As an extra bonus, try and find time to visit Cautley Spout, England’s highest waterfall, as it’s not far off the route but only accessible on foot.

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Statistics

• Distance: 15km (9mi)
• Ascent: 321m (1,053ft)
• Effort: 1/5
• Technical: 2/5
• Scenery: 3/5
• Off-road: 33%

Summary

This easy route in the North York Moors is ideal if you have only a little time, or if you're bringing the family along and are looking for something they can handle. At only 15.1km and with not a great deal of climbing involved, this compact ride should fit into a single morning or afternoon.

The route starts just north of Gillamoor and basically crosses Shaw Ridge by means of road and then returns via the track across the top of Rudland Rigg.

Statistics

• Distance: 45km (28mi)
• Ascent: 1,285m (4,216ft)
• Effort: 4/5
• Technical: 3/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 50%

Summary

This is a superb Yorkshire Dales bike route taking in the best that Swaledale has to offer. There’s a lot of exposed moor-top riding so be prepared if it’s cold and if it’s not, take a good waterproof anyway. Most of the terrain is good rock or gravel tracks and so good for all year riding.

We recommend this route for intermediate to advanced riders with a good level of fitness and good navigation skill. It can be easy to get lost on these high moors if the weather comes in bad. Having said all that, it must be said we’re not trying to put you off, not in the slightest. This is an awesome route that everyone should ride at some point in the mountain biking lives. If you only ever ride one Dales route, make it this one!

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Statistics

• Distance: 34km (21mi)
• Ascent: 1,094m (3,589ft)
• Effort: 4/5
• Technical: 4/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 87%

Summary

This is a tough route deep in the Yorkshire Dales wilderness so don’t expect it to be easy. We have given it a 4/5 technical rating because of the good navigational skills, as opposed to mountain biking skills, required. That said, if you go prepared and know what you’re doing you’ll find this route is an amazing way to explore the northern part of the Yorkshire Dales. The fact that it ends at the Tan Hill Inn just makes it all that more perfect.

As mentioned, the route starts at the famous Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in England. From here it takes you across the moors on clearly defined doubletrack. This doesn’t last long though, the trail becomes less clear as you head out into the wilderness. After crossing the moor, the route drops you into Gunnerside Gill and then into Swaledale, before climbing back onto the moor for a final crossing on the return leg to Tan Hill.

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Statistics

• Distance: 34.7km (21.6mi)
• Ascent: 738m (2,421ft)
• Effort: 3/5
• Technical: 1/5
• Scenery: 3/5
• Off-road: 39%

Summary

This route in the North Yorkshire Moors follows the valley of Eskdale. It is a fairly strenuous route but is technically quite easy and therefore ok for less advanced riders, so long as you have a fair fitness level. It is a one-way route rather than the usual loop and uses the Esk Valley Railway to return to the start. For this reason be prepared and make sure you are aware of the train timetable.

It is best ridden west to east, starting in Kildale and ending in Sleights. You will pass through Commondale, Castleton, Danby, Lealholm, Glaisdale, Egton Bridge and Grosmont on the way. Each of these places have shops and pubs making refreshments available pretty much anywhere on the route. You could even turn it into a giant pub crawl!

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Statistics

• Distance: 28km (17mi)
• Ascent: 727m (2,385ft)
• Effort: 2/5
• Technical: 2/5
• Scenery: 3/5
• Off-road: 74%

Summary

This is a relatively easy route in the North Yorkshire Moors that takes in the impressive Hole of Horcum as well as Cropton Forest. You will find yourself at times crossing open moorland and at times passing through deep forest on a variety of terrains.

Most intermediate mountain bikers should have no problem with this route as there are no really difficult technical sections to overcome. Just nice clean fun mountain biking. Enjoy!

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