The lake district - trails, accomodation

das_chris · September 2007

Hi there!!

I decided to go to the lake district in the middle of October. Want to spend my holidays there together with my brother.
I thought about taking the train to Chapel-en-le-frith. Do you guys know, if thats a good place to start from? Or is Bamford better? The shitty thing is, that I dont have a car. So I have to book a train as soon as possible to save some money.
So what would you rather recommend? Chapel-en-le-frith, Bramford or another town thats located at a railroad track...

I've got some more questions. Would you recommed to buy some detailled maps of the area? Are the trails and routes well signposted? Where do I find all the nice tracks that are supposed to be there? Is there something like the forestry comission that provides material?
And, with a view on the time of year, probably a good lamp is essential...

Please give me some hints on where to go, where to sleep and where to ride... Promise to write a short report on which trails we did and where we stayed...

Thanks a lot
Christian

terra · September 2007

clarkson · September 2007

i recently got back fromt he lake distirct and the riding is brilliant. you'll love it. soem of the trails are signposted but it can get a bit vague. get some maps of the area and plan your route a bit, i got lost fdairly easily arounf the country lanes and things getting to the trails. also the entrances are quite small, well can be and are ewasy to miss. hope this helps!

das_chris · September 2007

i have to correct myself. I jumbled something up in my head. The town i mentioned are in the peak national park...

@Clarkson
Where did you stay when you were in the lake district? I just bought the Lake District guide of Richard Staton and Chris Gore. As I will rent a car for the time I am up there, probably Windermere would be a good place to stay. Do you have any recommendations concerning addomodation? Would you choose another town - for which reason?

Thank you for your answer. Nice to hear that its gonna be fun up there.

Christian

320DMsport · September 2007

Hiya Chris,

If your staying in the lakes i'd go for Ambleside as it's nicer, better atmosphere and closer to all the riding out than windermere, some good bike shops near and not far from Grizdale and the North Face Trail is fun to do or you can head towards troutbeck and go over Garburn and goto Kentmere which has fab riding.

Also from Ambleside Keswick is about 20 mins in the car and that has some good routes too!

There is a hotel called Smallwood house which is nice and has a carpark too, in Ambleside there is a couple of good food places, Nice Indian, chinese and Lucy's on a plate and Lucy fours are all good!

Hope this helps, it's half term for the kids up here from the 22nd october or there abouts so stay away then as it gets very busy.

Lee

320DMsport · October 2007

Also it maybe worth catching the train to Oxenholme and then get the local train from Oxenholme to Kendal, as soon as you come out of Kendal train station there is Peugoet garage to your right, behind there is Avis car hire, you can then go straight from there to Ambleside which will take 20 mins and is straight forward.

I'm saying that as i only know of one car hire place in windermere and he's well ropey!

Other than that there is no others.

clarkson · October 2007

i stayed in ambleside, its pretty there and quite close to some good trails, so no, stay witht he town.

because i went with my parents, we stayed in their type of accomodation rather than bike friendly type of accomodation with bike sheds n that. they had bike storage but it was only the laundry room, but we moved them to the balcony during the day. this was at fell foot, at the bottom of the kirkstone pass.

have also stayed at a heart of the lakes flat, but this didnt have bike storage, nor did the other place we stayed at which was really nice, but not ideal for bikes.

a lot of the accomodation up threre is more geared to walkers than bikers i find.

if you do go into ambleside, make sure you go into bike treks. the best bike shop ive used, helpful friendly and up for a laugh. plus they do evening rides sometimes in the week too. if you're hiring bikes theyre fairly cheap too and not that bad. we had specialized hardrocks.
they also have route maps of local trails too.

Bromski · October 2007

Are there any "must do" rides in the Lakes?

I'm going to be there late October and my only real plan is Grizedale.

I've been there a few times but I would quite like to get out onto a real trail - problem is I'm no greatg map reader and not massively familiar with the area.

Puriists will no doubt say that trail centres aren't real MTB'ing blah de blah but hey - it's what I'm used to.

I need a trail that can bridge the gap between trail centre and create your own.

das_chris · October 2007

Hi there everybody!

I made it, I am in the lake district since friday night. I am staying in the Youth Hostel in Grasmere. It is a nice building, but I think that £16 for a dorm bed is quite much, especially as breakfast is not included (extra £4).
The weather at the moment is very poor. On friday it was rainy and foggy, but still quite warm. But today it rains stronly and its cold.

First the equipment:
I bought mountainbike guide written by Chris Gore and Richard Staton. It is a good guide, with a lot of different routes in it. Each route is described, the key points of the route are explained detailled and a map for the trail area is always included.
Additionally I bought a Harvey map of the lake district.

Our first day:
We went into Grizdale forest and did parts of the route signed as black. It included some very nice downhills and beautiful landscape to enjoy. Autumn is just nice here! And I think we could easily spend another day in Grizedale forest. Theres a lot to do.

Yesterday:
We did the High Road Loop

next time. running out of time. will write more next week or end of this week
cya
christian

chemdog · October 2007

Bromski wrote:

Are there any "must do" rides in the Lakes?

I'm going to be there late October and my only real plan is Grizedale.

I've been there a few times but I would quite like to get out onto a real trail - problem is I'm no greatg map reader and not massively familiar with the area.

Puriists will no doubt say that trail centres aren't real MTB'ing blah de blah but hey - it's what I'm used to.

I need a trail that can bridge the gap between trail centre and create your own.

I would definately say yes... one of the magazines wrote the Lakes was #1 mountain biking place in the UK, I've been riding here for the past 2 years and still got loads more 'classics' to do. Everyone has their own favourites and there is a big difference between trail centres and natural but in my opinion, definately room for both. Because all the natural stuff in the lakes is so good theres not much man made stuff, apart from Grizedale North Face Trail which I'd say isnt the best (very unexciting and unflowing when compared to the 7 stanes) although others have a different opinion.

Map reading is a must unfortunately, even in the world of gps you need a backup plan and be able to use it.

There is loads of riding in Grizedale Forest and just outside it but again map reading is required as signposting in the lakes isnt quite to motorway standards!

What kind of route are you looking for, distance and technical wise? If your inexperienced and riding on your own maybe try something round grizedale, a few natural extensions from the North Face Trail man made route (that way your not veering too far offroute)... one of the guys I ride with has posted on a topic across at the forums in my footer, might be worth buying a map and asking him to mark it on that (I'm sure he'd be happy to help).

Iain

that link here

Saddleworth Reiver · October 2007

Trail over claiffe heights around Sawrey/Hawkshead (not far from Grizedale) is good one.

clarkson · October 2007

seconded, the claife heights trail is farily quick and lots of fun!

gavinjw · October 2007

Thirded! You can do a figure of 8 ride over Lough Rigg Terrace and then take in Claiffe Heights. Great year round riding

clarkson · October 2007

i didnt know that!! well hopefully going back next year. will give it a try!

The lake district - trails, accomodation

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