Decent routes near to Whinfell Centreparcs

steve_muzzy

Me +the wife and another couple are going to Centreparcs in Whinfell for a week later this year, we have managed to get a day pass away from looking after childern and planning on going riding and wondering what is close by (within an hour say)

Ideally somewhere reasonably challenging, I apprecite that the English access laws are different to ours so we cant just ride where we want in woodlands etc - is there a decent trail centre with Red/Black runs in the area?

Also with it being November I imagine a lot of the natural stuff will be pretty muddy so maybe something man made might suit better

I would have thought with the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales being clsoe there should be some decent stuff about

Whats Whinlatter Forest Park like? Any other ones we should be consideirng?

gregsd

There loads of options close-by (Lakes/Pennines):

Back of Skiddaw

Borrowdale Loop

Cross Fell - rideable from the Park.

stubs

Whinlatter is good fun and is mostly weatherproof with just a few puddles to wallow in. There is also Grizedale Forest, Gisburn and the 7 Stanes in Scotland for waymarked trail centres all within roughly an hours drive from Penrith.

Personally if your not used to navigating in poor visibility I would avoid rides like Skiddaw and Cross Fell in November, help will be a long time coming if you get lost or injured. Plus after this years weather they will be a slog by November, most high Pennine trails are already resembling the Somme battlefield after being cut up by Grouse shooters Landrovers.

edit: Also waymarked trails at Kielder Forest. Never been there so dont know how they grade.

steve_muzzy

thanks, will tkae a look -

trailpuppet

Some route choices here; http://www.bogtrotters.org/list_routes.php
Did Gisburn a couple of weeks ago and it is not worth the effort/drive down..Whinlatter would be better.
The 'Bash is a good ride all year round and if you add on the Blancartha/Glendertarra(sp?)loop via Threlkeld that makes for a good ride
The latter loop + extending via Skiddaw YHA to Mosedale, Calbeck Fell and back to the YHA via the climb up Whitwater Dash Falls is a good day out. Not very technical, more of an all day slog if you enjoy that type of ride.

Cross Fell could equal a lot of push'n carry. Would recommend Bowderdale/Calf route from Sedburgh.

Lots of good all weather routes out of Ambleside

More here... http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/outand ... findaroute

And more of the same ... http://www.offroadadventures-online.com/

Also avoid Kielder if it is or has been wet, bit of a transmission grinder. :roll:

You are but an hour from Dumfries Stanes, Ae, Mabie and Dalbeattie My locals.