For all the lovers of long sections of fun, downhill singletrack; the following routes are right-up your street. These are the hand-picked best singletrack routes in the UK:
Singletrack
Helvellyn Ridge & The Old Coach Road
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.
Howgill Fells
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.
Chop Gate & Urra Moor
Statistics
- Distance: 19km (11mi)
- Ascent: 593m (1,946ft)
- Effort: 2/5
- Technical: 4/5
- Scenery: 3/5
- Off-road: 66%
Summary
This route at the north part of the North York Moors takes in some breathtaking views across Cleveland. The terrain is almost mountainous in feel, and this particular route serves up a nice mix of moorland singletrack and rocky descents. Something for all to enjoy! And all this without being too strenuous for those of you who haven’t quite got the fitness levels as high as they could be yet.
The route starts just below Clay Bank and gets all the climbing out of the way from the off. Once you reach the top it offers you rolling moorland singletrack before descending into Bilsdale. After climbing again and crossing more moorland it offers you another rocky descent before a short field section and yet another absolutely cracking descent off the Cleveland escarpment.
High Street and Ullswater
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!
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