| Physical | Technical | Fun | Scenery | Singletrack | Rideability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **** | *** | **** | ** | *** | ***** |
This circuit is one of my most frequently ridden routes in the lakes. With the start point only a half hour's drive from my parents' house and the inclusion of some superb singletrack and fast downhills it has become an easy choice for an enjoyable local ride. Despite the fact that I have been riding this circuit for over ten years now, it has only actually become legal recently. The old mining track across the back of High Pike has always been a logical, enjoyable and tolerated route for the return leg, but it now even has official blessing. What mystifies me so much, is that the new permitted bridleway follows my original 'trespass' route down to the last blade of grass - including the trackless grassy DH to Fellside farm. Perhaps the planners had been following my tyre tracks!
As it stands the route will occupy only an afternoon (it was more like a day ride before the bridleway repairs were carried out), but it can easily be extended by approaching Skiddaw House via the Keswick or Threlkeld bridleways. In fact, a superb full day figure-of-eight can be constructed by riding from Threlkeld to Skiddaw House then this described circuit, back to Keswick, and return to Threlkeld via the old railway line cycleway. The route passes directly through Skiddaw Forest, which is one of the most remote moorland areas in the Lakes. The bowl shaped tract of land (formerly a volcano crater) is split only by three valleys - Mosedale, Dash and Glenderaterra. Each of which contains at least one bridleway.
The ride enters Skiddaw Forest via Dash Falls and a challenging climb (I assure you that it can be ridden in its entirety). Then some fast, rocky land rover track leads you through a ford and you climb to Skiddaw House youth hostel. At Skiddaw House track gives way to singletrack for almost the length of Mosedale. Much of this path has been resurfaced, and it is now much easier, faster and fun than previously (snorkels are no longer required). Fortunately only the boggiest sections have been repaired, leaving the best technical stretches unaltered. The final section down Mosedale is on fast vehicle track, then tarmac to Mosedale village. Here you will find the only possible refreshments en route, at the superb Quaker meeting house café (yes, real Quakers, including man with long white beard!) Unfortunately the opening hours are a little restricted so take plenty of energy bars, or be prepared to divert a mile down the road to the pub in nearby Mungrisdale.
The return may seem a little tame on the map, being comprised of either mine track or surfaced road. What the homeward leg may lack it technicality, it more than makes up for with speed. There are two notable descents on this northern half of the circuit; Fellside Brow and Longlands. At Fellside Brow the mine track halts abruptly and the permissive bridleway takes directly to the open fell, with only the faintest of quad-bike tracks to guide you. The brow gradually steepens, and so will your speed: from rapid to silly! The final couple of bends spit you out at right angles onto a stony track, where you'll have to demonstrate your stopping distance on grass from 25mph! Similarly, the unclassified road over to Longlands (in stark contrast to 4x4 tracks in more popular areas of the lakes) is ultra-smooth and hosts an incredible 20 to 30mph downhill finale.
There are many climbs and descents between Mosedale and Peter House, and the return is surprisingly more strenuous than the outward leg. Be prepared with energy bars or other food - there is many a time I've grovelled back along those mine tracks on a sugar low. The only guaranteed source of refreshment being in Caldbeck - easy to reach, but positioned in such a way as to condemn the remainder of the ride to tarmac.
Total Distance - 20.8 Miles
Duration - 3 hours
Map - Harvey Maps SuperWalker 1:25 000 Lakeland North
Last Updated 14-01-2001
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