Fat Tyres Mountain Bike Routes

Statistics

• Distance: 22km (14mi)
• Ascent: 698m (2,274ft)
• Effort: 2/5
• Technical: 2/5
• Scenery: 4/5
• Off-road: 70%

Summary

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 Staveley 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.

Which Map?

This route is covered in its entirity by combining both of the following maps:

• OS Exlporer OL5: The English Lakes: North Eastern Area (1:25k) - buy this map.
• OS Exlporer OL7: The English Lakes: South Eastern Area (1:25k) - buy this map.

Or, almost in its entirity by OS Landranger 90: Penrith & Keswick (1:50k) - buy this map. Only the very start/end is cut off but I'm sure you can work that bit out, just head north along the River Kent until you're back on the map:

The Route

Download the GPX file of this route - compatible with most GPS units / memory map etc.

The start is at Staveley which is on the A591 between Kendal and Windermere. If you drive through Staveley and onto the minor road that leads to Kentmere, you'll pass a bridge on the right and just after this there are a few parking spaces by the river which make a good start point.

On the bikes now, carry on up this road (Browfoot Lane), bearing roughly north through the trees and keeping the River Kent on the right. After a couple of kilometres the road takes a sharp left at Browfoot Farm and begins to climb onto the moor, keep to this road for nearly another kilometre until it reaches a T junction. Take a right here and onto a steady track (1) and follow until it joins with another track at a second T junction (2). After 200m or so you'll reach the end of the walled track and two gates (3), the gate you want is the wooden one on the left, signposted 'High House'.

Cross the field on the clear double track, heading towards the single tree by the wall, and take the gate on the left just after the tree. Cross this field, keeping to the wall on your left, through another gate keeping the wall to your right in the second field until the track veers off and heads for the opposite corner. Follow this and head through the gate and through High House farm, taking the southerly metalled road away from the farm.

After another kilometre or so this brings you out on a minor road where you will need to take a right again and follow this for a short while. Take the second turning on the right, after passing copse of trees on your right. This is Dubbs Road and leads up to Dubbs Reservoir and eventually over Garburn Pass. After passing the small reservoir the track starts to climb, gently at first and then getting steeper. You are now onto the pass properly, if you can nail this in one then fair play to ya!

Just keep pressing on. Take a look over your shoulder as Windermere should just be revealing herself behind you (4). Over to your left, across the Trout Beck valley, you can make out the A592 that leads over the Kirkstone Pass. The loose double track reaches the top of Garburn Pass after about 3km and 200m of ascent. As it's all downhill from here: have a sit down, pat yourself on the back and crack open the sandwiches.

The route downhill (5) is clear double track on exactly the same loose surface as the uphill section with a few gnarly sections, but it's mainly fast going. Simply enjoy the ride all the way back down to The Nook and then follow the road to Kentmere. When you get there take the right just after the church and follow this well surfaced path past Kentmere Hall and to the farm beyond.

The first path to the left once you're on the farm site is a footpath. The second track is the one to take. Cross the first couple of fields and through the gate. You should have reached some trees on your left. Carry on in this direction, keeping the wooded area on your left and then the wall on your left after the trees.

Keep on this undulating track for a couple of kilometres when you will reach a gate with a ford on the other side (6). Go through the gate but don't cross the ford, take the trail to the left before the crossing.

This is another well surfaced track, follow this as it winds its way through several fields. Pass the farm at Croft Head and continue until you reach Ullthwaite Bridge. Take right here in the trees (if you reach the bridge across the River Kent you've gone too far). This leaves a small section of bridleway through the farm at Browfoot and returns you to Browfoot Lane, the road on which the ride began. Turn left and enjoy the smooth ride back to the car.