mtb c2c book.pdf

Route Description
Not done in from yesterday? Good. You’ll not be going quite as high today but
there’s still plenty of climbing to look forward to, as well as a classic Lakes descent
from the Garburn Road.
1. Set off out of Coniston on the Hawkshead road. There’s a cycle lane behind the
hedge on the left. Turn Right (signposted to Brantwood and East Side of Lake) at
the head of the Lake where the small car park is with the toilet block.
After a brief warm-up climb on the road, turn Right at the junction then Left onto
BW (bridleway).
2. Climb with interest to a level section by three dead trees, before entering the
sepulchral shadows of Grizedale Forest. There are lots of fire-road junctions, but
hold a sou’easterly bearing until you get to the Grizedale Forest Centre with its
manifold delights of eating, bike-fettling and the North Face Trail.
3. Take the trail climbing north-east from the centre, to the spot-height at 203 m.
Strike off east from here, dropping to the road just above Esthwaite Old Hall. A
quick left-right on tarmac then skirt the southern shores of Esthwaite Water to
Near Sawrey. Turn Right on the B5285 to Far Sawrey.
4. As you leave the village, there’s a phone box on the left with two trails rising up
from a common junction. Take the one that almost doubles back on you. Climb
north and veer northeast for an entertaining descent to the Lake shore. Trundle
south to join the ice-cream licking hordes by the ferry.
5. After a relaxing glide across the water, spin through Bowness and Windermere on
the A5074. There’s a short, awkward stretch of A591 now (turn Right and use the
cycle lane) but you’re soon turning Left onto a country lane to Common Farm,
encouragingly labelled “Unsuitable for HGVs and coaches”.
6. Follow the lane through to the Moorhowe road, where a short left-right turn gets
your tyres into some proper off-road riding. Pass Dubs Reservoir on your left and
climb with increasing interest on the BW. This takes you to the summit of Garburn
Pass at 447m. Apart from a couple of tricky steps and the odd washaway hairpin,
it’s a whizz down to Kentmere, grinning like a loon. This is a technical descent, so
take care to ensure that you’ve adjusted the saddle height if necessary and set
your suspension.
7. On exiting the BW turn Left and follow the lane along for ¾ mile before joining the
BW to the Left at Calflay Wood. Look out for the sign “Long Houses” on the southfacing
wall at the turn. Climb then flank Staveley Head Fell, descending on road
from Park House.