| Route |
Contributor |
Last Updated |
Where |
Distance |
Tags |
|
WMB148.Exmoor_Moderate |
wmbsu |
May 1st, 03:30 |
|
0km |
|
| Start/Finish Withypool, SS845354
Total distance 19.1km (11.9 miles)
Total ascent 505m (1656 ft) Total time 1.5-2.5 hours
1 From car park, turn left over bridge and climb on road. Take third road on left and climb, forking left onto Kitridge Lane/Two Moors Way. Cross Lanacre Lane to track opposite. Pass farm building on left.
2 Continue on trail parallel to hedge. At SS818370 fork right onto moorland trail. Follow until you reach a hedgerow. Pass through gate. Continue across field to lane at opposite corner.
3 Turn left along lane, drop through farm and follow bridleway. Traverse valley slopes with views of River Barle and Cow Castle earthworks to your left. Drop into valley to cross White Water stream. At top of hill turn left following bridleway then right to ride parallel to hedge heading north west.
4 At lane by a farm, bear left into field and aim for gate opposite. Do same for next field. Once through second gate, keep left to gate near trees. Cross final field, then through gate to join singletrack. Turn left to follow trail through woods.
5 At junction turn right for village or left to continue loop. Follow singletrack down the valley. After 1.4km trail diverts from river around hillock then returns. 1.5km further on trail diverges from river to run behind Cow Castle hill fort, then returns.
6 At bridleway junction with bridge (missing at time of writing) continue with river to your right, climbing on moorland trail to rejoin outward trail at SS818370. Turn right and follow track across Lanacre Lane to join Tarmac back to Withypool. |
|
WMB148.Exmoor_Easy |
wmbsu |
May 1st, 03:36 |
|
0km |
|
| Start/Finish Winsford SS907349
Total distance 13.3km (8.3 miles)
Total ascent 350m (1150ft)
Total time 1.5-2 hours
1 Leave Winsford village, heading north. Climb for 2km to reach junction with two bridleways heading left as road goes right. Take second bridleway over bridge and through farm. Climb on track, alongside field then between hedges.
2 After 1.1km track swings right and continues to climb between hedges to T-junction. Turn left and follow track for 400m to reach Tarmac. Stay on lane as it swings right and descends. Watch for bridleway/lane to left – easy to miss as you descend. Descend on for 700m to farmhouse. Swing left as lane climbs briefly, then descends again to reach farm after 500m.
3 Continue through farmyard and gates to emerge in field after short climb. Bridleway traverses field on grass – trail is grass too, but reasonably distinct on sloping field. At next field boundary, the track becomes stony and easier to follow. After passing close to river on your right, the trail narrows and climbs, still roughly following the river but traversing up the valley side before starting to descend.
4 At gate continue on main track – there’s a signposted bridleway to the right running alongside the river, but it’s indistinct. Potentially pleasant if it’s bone dry, otherwise best avoided. If you go that way, continue to the junction at the bridge then turn left to climb back to main trail. Otherwise follow the main trail along the hamlet of Nethercote and over the bridge.
5 Stick to the main track along the river. Follow this over some undulations to the end. Go over the cattle grid and bridge, turn right on the road and retrace the first 2km downhill to Winsford. |
|
WMB148.Exmoor_Classic |
wmbsu |
May 1st, 03:28 |
|
0km |
|
| Start/Finish Exford car park, SS854383
Total distance 35km (21 miles)
Total ascent 968m (3175ft)
Total time 3-5 hours
1 From car park turn left on road into Exford. Continue over bridge, then left to climb past mast. At crossroads turn left onto B3223. Climb, then descend to Comer’s Cross. Fork right after 100m. Bridleway crosses moorland between farm track on right and road on left, but can be indistinct – consider just taking the farm track. If following bridleway, continue straight for 800m to junction. Turn left to emerge at farm.
2 Follow Tarmac lane downhill. After 200m take bridleway to right into field. Cross field, through gate then drop on rutted singletrack to bridge over stream. Follow bridleway, with stream to your left, to riverside. Turn right and follow trail by the river. After 2.5km cross river via stepping stones. If the river’s high the road is 500m ahead via footpath.
3 Climb hillside to road, turn right and descend to Withypool. Cross bridge and climb on road. Take third road on the left and continue to climb, forking left onto Kitridge Lane/Two Moors Way. Continue on lane as Tarmac ends. Cross Lanacre Lane to pick up track opposite. Pass farm building on left. Continue on obvious trail roughly parallel to hedgerow.
4 At SS818370 fork right onto narrow moorland trail. Follow occasionally indistinct trail across moorland, to a hedgerow. Pass through gate and continue across field to join surfaced lane at opposite corner. Turn left along lane, drop down through farm and follow bridleway out the other side, along edge of field with hedge to right.
5 Traverse valley slopes with views of River Barle and Cow Castle to your left. Drop into side valley to cross White Water stream, climb out the other side. Obvious track ends at top of hill – turn left following bridleway marker then right to ride parallel to hedgerow (hedge to your right) heading north west.
6 At the lane by the farmyard, bear left into field (follow bridleway markers) and aim for gate opposite. Do the same for the next field. Once through second gate, keep left to gate near trees. Keep hedge to your right across final field. Go through gate to join singletrack (signposted to Simonsbath).
7 Turn left and follow trail through woods. At junction turn right for village and pub or left to continue loop. Follow singletrack down valley, keeping the river on your right. After 1.4km the trail diverts away from river around a hillock then returns to river. 1.5km further on trail diverges from river to run behind Cow Castle hill fort on occasionally indistinct trail, then returns.
8 At bridleway junction with bridge (missing at time of writing) continue ahead with river to your right, soon climbing on moorland trail to rejoin outward trail at SS818370. Turn right and follow track back across Lanacre Lane and on to rejoin Tarmac back down to Withypool. Upon regaining ‘main’ road, turn left and climb steeply eastwards to crossroads. Turn left. Ignore first bridleway on right after 600m and continue to second (1.5km from crossroads).
9 Cross fields with hedgerow to your left, through gates (follow blue blobs). After 1km turn left through gate (following bridleway sign), straight across field, through another gate then descend steeply on loose, rutted trail. Continue on obvious trail to reach lane then Tarmac. At junction, turn right and descend to Exford and start point. |
|
WMB147.The Quantocks_Moderate |
wmbsu |
Apr 3rd, 10:11 |
|
0km |
|
| Start/Finish Holford car park, ST154410
Total distance 17.9km (11 miles) Total ascent 528m (1700 ft) Total time 1.5-3 hours
Map OS Explorer No 140
1 Turn right on road, then right signed Holford Combe. Continue as the Tarmac turns into stony track. Go through a gate and up the combe.
2 After 2.4km take left-hand trail at a fork. Turn right at junction and follow track to road. Cross to join Great Bear singletrack to a road at 4km.
3 Turn right and up the road. Join trail running parallel to the road. Follow to car park at Dead Woman’s Ditch. Descend to road at Crowcombe Park Gate.
4 Turn left on to wide track and follow for 2km. At 8.4km, turn left over cattle grid. Look for singletrack entrance on right, opposite car park. Follow track parallel to road. Cross the crossroads and through forestry gate.
5 Look for a trail on the left after about 200m. Descend on singletrack, around right-hand bend to trail junction. Turn left into woods. At trail junction take the steep, loose trail ahead.
6 At the bottom, turn left on to the valley bottom gravel road. Climb Rams Combe, emerging from trees onto slope. Continue to the road and cross it. At trail junction turn right to climb towards trig point. Pass to east of trig point to descend. At first crossroads turn left, following trail westwards.
7 After about 800m, turn right on singletrack descent. Follow into combe. Make sharp right-hand turn below log drop. Follow stream downhill through Somerton and Hodders Combes to return to the start point. |
|
WMB147.The Quantocks_Easy |
wmbsu |
Apr 3rd, 10:11 |
|
0km |
|
| Start/Finish Triscombe Stone car park, ST163359
Total distance 11.4km (7 miles)
Total ascent 179m (590ft)
Total time 1-2 hours
Maps OS Explorer No 140 Quantock Hills and Bridgwater
1 Exit the car park to the south over cattle grid through fence. Turn right and follow wide, mainly rocky, track heading northwest. Follow the track for 2km, continuing to the road at Crowcombe Park Gate.
2 Cross the road to pick up continuation of track opposite. Carry on to large trail junction. Bear left for uphill traverse, leaving Black Hill (and trig point) to your left. (Or, go straight on at junction and climb more steeply to the trig point, then turn left and drop back to main route, turning right when you meet the main trail.)
3 Descend to Halsway Post trail junction at ST140385. Turn sharp right (almost doubling back) to head east on sunken trail with a series of short ups and downs and loose rocky sections. Ignore all side turnings until you reach the road opposite Dead Woman’s Ditch car park.
4 Turn left on road. At fork, take the road to the left. Follow this for 500m and look for trail crossing. Turn right onto trail, climbing then traversing gently downhill. After about 1km you’ll meet another road. If conditions are dry, cross the road and turn right on trail running parallel to road. If it’s wet, stay on the road.
5 Follow the trail (or road) back to Dead Woman’s Ditch. Pass through the car park to pick up the trail that continues parallel to road. After 1.5km you’ll reach Crowcombe Park Gate again. Turn left on to the wide trail that you emerged from earlier and follow it all the way back to Triscombe Stone – it’s generally downhill in this direction. |
|
WMB147.The Quantocks_Classic |
wmbsu |
Apr 3rd, 10:06 |
|
0km |
|
| Start/Finish Holford car park, ST154410
Total distance 22km (13.7 miles)
Total ascent 874m (2870ft)
Total time 2-4 hours
Maps OS Explorer No 140 Quantock Hills and Bridgwater
Summary Short but challenging double loop of the northern combes.
1 Start in the car park in Holford, which you’ll find by turning off the A39 at the Plough Inn and following the lane (and signposts) for about 500m. Ride out of the car park back the way you came but take the first road on the right (signposted Holford Combe) and follow this through the village.
2 The Tarmac gives way to track before passing through a gate and continuing on (sometimes muddy) track. Continue up the valley, occasionally crossing the stream, for 1.2km until reaching a more open area with trail junction. Bear slightly left, over stream and climb more steeply.
3 At junction, turn right and follow trail to road. Cross straight over to singletrack opposite, gently climbing as it traverses the hillside. At road turn right, and either stay on the road or join trail running parallel on opposite side. Continue to car park at Dead Woman’s Ditch (just after road joins from the right), then cross road to pick up track heading west.
4 Stay on bridleway, ignoring trails to left and right, for 1.5km. At trail crossing continue straight on – watch out, bearing right looks more obvious but is the wrong way. Descend on wide, rocky track for 800m before turning hard right onto singletrack heading roughly north across hillside – if you reach a major trail junction you’ve missed it.
5 Follow obvious trail as it swings left and descends into woodland before sharp right turn. Trail traverses valley side, sometimes climbing a little but generally descending – stay low wherever possible. At trail junction just before river crossing, turn left and climb Lady’s Edge (steep!) to Bicknoller Post.
6 Cross the main track and descend northwest on grassy bumpy slope into Weacombe singletrack. Continue through gate on wider track and drop to final gate and lane. Turn immediately left over ford, through gate and up steep climb. Traverse hillside for 1km before dropping to join wider track
at Bicknoller.
7 Turn left and follow track up long and increasingly steep climb to rejoin main ridge track. Follow main track north for 1.4km, past Bicknoller Post again, straight over at trail crossing and leaving high point of Beacon Hill to your left.
8 Look out for solitary trees on right indicating start of Smiths Combe descent heading northeast in obvious valley – initially on grass, then loose and rocky in the trees, finally on singletrack through multiple stream crossings.
9 At the trail junction at the bottom, cross the stream and head up the very steep climb eastwards. Continue straight on at the top, traversing the northern slopes of the Quantocks. After 800m descend to stream crossing. Bear right at the top of the steep climb out, continuing to climb over open ground.
10 At junction with wide trail, continue straight over. Cross the next wide trail too, continuing to climb to grassy outlook above Hodders Combe. Drop down the steep descent (bearing slightly right initially), cross the stream at the bottom. Turn left to follow obvious wide track back to car park. |
|
WMB146_Cambrian Mountains_Moderate |
wmbsu |
Mar 14th, 12:02 |
|
23.2km |
|
| Start/Finish Centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, by Red Kite statue, LD5 4RA
Total distance 53.1km (33 miles)
Total ascent 2298m (7539ft)
Total time 3.5-6 hours
Map OS Explorer, Llandovery No 187
Summary A big, tough backcountry ride exploring mid-Wales’s wild
and wonderful natural trails, with some optional manmade ones to
top it off
1 From the square in the centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, head south on the A483 (Llandovery (A483), taking third left junction with railway crossing and climb up through a farm. Enter the forest and keep ahead on a bridleway. Turn right at junction and continue ahead until a left turn. Turn left.
2 At next junction turn right, to a TV mast and join a singletrack, uphill and right into the forestry block on a singletrack downhill through the trees to a road. Go left.
3 Go right into Brynffo forestry commission car park, taking the right fork as you go through then next left at marker post No 7. Go uphill, then take fast rocky downhill, turning right and keep right at fork, uphill to marker post No 31 and turn left onto the singletrack, downhill.
4 After a short climb turn right by marker post No 29 down a steep rocky trail to marker post No 28 and turn left onto flat singletrack. Turn right at the forest road and take next right turn and climb up to Esgair Fwyog car park and turn right on the Tarmac.
5 When the road bears right go straight on, up the byway and keep going straight and eventually downhill to the second forest road and turn left. Join the bridleway on the right, at the corner and follow downhill, back to A483. Turn right, back into town. |
|
WMB146.Cambrian Mountains_Easy 2 |
wmbsu |
Mar 14th, 01:58 |
|
0km |
|
| 1 [3] From the Coed Trallwm café follow the Red marker posts, climbing along a road towards Abergwesyn, for 2km. Take care where it crosses a descending singletrack. At the top of Bryn Mawr, where the trails from Llanwrtyd Wells join Coed Trallwm, go to the right where the track levels off, then drop right on to a fast singletrack.
2 [4] Follow this left-handed traverse, switchback bend to a right-handed traverse before weaving downhill through the trees and across your previous ascent. Continue until a left-hand turn takes you onto the technical Five Springs section. Continue down to the road and the café. |
|
WMB146.Cambrian Mountains_Easy 1 |
wmbsu |
Mar 14th, 01:55 |
|
0km |
|
| Start/Finish Coed Trallwm trail centre car park, LD5 4TS
Total distance 9km (5.6 miles)
Total ascent 235m (771ft)
Total time 0.5-1 hour
Maps OS Explorer Llandovery
No 187, or the trail centre map available from the café
Summary Explore the remote forests of mid-Wales, but in the security and safety of waymarked and maintained trails
1 From the Coed Trallwm car park and café, follow the blue way markers under the footbridge and through the trees. (Remember to pay your £2 car park fee. If as when we visited the café is closed a collection box is still available.) After crossing over a little bridge climb up past the holiday cottages to the top where the forest track ends and continue on a singletrack descent.
2 After a dark, narrow section and stream crossing at the bottom of Fox’s Den, in the clearing, go left for 300 metres, then right for 300 metres on farm tracks. Just before the Black trail climb take the escape singletrack that will take you back down to the café/start. |
|
WMB146.Cambrian Mountains_Classic |
wmbsu |
Mar 14th, 01:59 |
|
0km |
|
| Start/Finish Centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, by Red Kite statue, LD5 4RA
Total distance 53.1km (33 miles)
Total ascent 2298m (7539ft)
Total time 3.5-6 hours
Map OS Explorer, Llandovery No 187
Summary A big, tough backcountry ride exploring mid-Wales’s wild and wonderful natural trails, with some optional manmade ones to top it off
MODERATE ROUTE DIRECTIONS
From the square in the centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, head south on the A483 (Llandovery (A483), taking third left junction with railway crossing and climb up through a farm. Enter the forest and keep ahead on a bridleway. Turn right at junction and continue ahead until a left turn. Turn left.
At next junction turn right, to a TV mast and join a singletrack, uphill and right into the forestry block on a singletrack downhill through the trees to a road. Go left.
Go right into Brynffo forestry commission car park, taking the right fork as you go through then next left at marker post No 7. Go uphill, then take fast rocky downhill, turning right and keep right at fork, uphill to marker post No 31 and turn left onto the singletrack, downhill.
After a short climb turn right by marker post No 29 down a steep rocky trail to marker post No 28 and turn left onto flat singletrack. Turn right at the forest road and take next right turn and climb up to Esgair Fwyog car park and turn right on the Tarmac.
When the road bears right go straight on, up the byway and keep going straight and eventually downhill to the second forest road and turn left. Join the bridleway on the right, at the corner and follow downhill, back to A483. Turn right, back into town.
ADDITIONAL CLASSIC ROUTE DIRECTIONS
1 Follow the directions for the Moderate route and return to the centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, before starting on the northern loop.
2 Head back out of town on the Abergwesyn road, turning right (signposted Kilsby B&B), climbing up steep Tarmac. Go through a gate onto a rocky track which leads onto moorland. Go through a gate and then downhill, across a fire road and keep going, eventually through a ford and go right on singletrack.
3 Turn right at the end of the singletrack, followed by a left at a fork heading uphill for a long climb. Turn left at the next fire road. After 100m take the faint track to the left (on a right-hand bend). Continue on a fast downhill through trees then into singletrack switchback to a fire road. Turn right. At a junction go straight ahead (not the forest road climb).
4 Follow the track in the valley to the next fire road then turn right and climb another fire road, taking the next left, on a track to a house. Turn left at a fire road and look for faint track on the right going to Llofft-y-Bardd (if you miss it follow the Red trail to Coed Trawllm café).
5 After Llofft-y-Bardd turn left on Tarmac and head to Coed Trawllm café and ride the trail centre trails. When finished in the trail centre, climb up the Red Route and at the top go straight on when the trail turns right, through a gate.
6 Follow the forest road and take the first left turn onto another forest road, which you follow to the right, to the next junction and turn left. Go left on the bridleway, heading to Bwlch Mawr, turning right at the Tarmac and climb through the next farm. Follow the bridleway to the woollen mill and turn right on the A483 to Llanwrtyd Wells. |
|
WMB145.Queen Elizabeth Country Park_Moderate |
wmbsu |
Feb 4th, 02:57 |
|
7km |
- MTB
- Intermediate
- Offroad
- Safe
|
| Start/Finish Queen Elizabeth Country Park, SU719185
Total distance 7km (4.4 miles)
Total ascent 232m (761 feet)
Total time 0.5-1 hour
Summary Fun, fast loop that mixes fresh purpose-built singletrack with some older sections for a more varied feel than some trails
1. The Red trail is fully waymarked, but here are the directions for completeness. Start at Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre. From the car park, facing the front of the visitor centre, go left through the gap in the fence and turn right along the level trail skirting the edge of the woods.
2. After 300m turn left onto singletrack, following a switchback climb before joining forest road. Continue to climb on forest road for a few hundred metres before picking up next section of singletrack dropping down and doubling back to the left.
3. A singletrack loop descends then climbs to rejoin forest road briefly. Next singletrack section goes right, climbing steadily (with a couple of short steep sections) to crossing with forest road. Cross over to join next section of singletrack that descends for 1.3km on feature-laden trail with some steep sections.
4. Cross over road and attack the short, very steep climb before swinging right onto mellower gradient. After 350m bear right onto final descent, initially swooping with large berms and some jumps further down.
5. At car park go straight over the road, through gap in fence and follow easy trail back to visitor centre. Not enough for you? Just go around again... |
|
WMB145.Queen Elizabeth Country Park_Easy |
wmbsu |
Feb 4th, 02:59 |
|
18.2km |
|
| Start/Finish Queen Elizabeth Country Park, SU719185
Total distance 18km (11.2 miles)
Total ascent 405m (1328 feet)
Total time 1-3 hours
Summary Truncated version of our Classic loop that gives a flavour of the area while missing out the trickier bits
1. From the QECP visitor centre head south, leaving the centre to your left, and follow the road as it swings left and begins to climb. At first switchback left, carry straight on past picnic area on forest track.
2. Fork right when the track splits, following South Downs Way signs. Descend to a car park and continue straight on, initially on Tarmac and then on track. At Coulters Dean Farm (SU749195) continue straight on along road.
3. At Sunwood Farm turn right onto bridleway (following SDW signs) and after 250m turn right again to climb through woods on wide, easy track. The track starts to descend – ignore turnings to right and continue to four-way trail junction at SU770174. Turn right, continue for 350m then turn right again onto bridleway.
4. At trail junction turn left and follow to Eckensfield. Turn right on track around field edge and descend towards a house. Turn right into woods before the house then left onto track along valley bottom (be warned, this may be muddy). Descend to Woodcroft Farm, turn left on lane then right over railway bridge.
5. Fork right after bridge to follow the road north parallel to the railway for 1km. Turn sharp left onto byway and climb to rejoin the road. Turn right and follow a road, bearing right in Chalton village. 1km outside Chalton turn right onto bridleway – if you reach Chalton Ancient Farm you’ve gone too far.
6. Climb between fields then descend to a corner of woodland. Keep left and follow the bridleway all the way back to Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre. |
|
WMB145.Queen Elizabeth Country Park_Classic |
wmbsu |
Feb 4th, 02:54 |
|
43.2km |
|
| Start/Finish Queen Elizabeth Country Park, SU719185
Total distance 43km (26.7 miles)
Total ascent 1160m (3800 ft)
Total time 3.5-5 hours
Summary Plenty of hills, both up and down, in this big downland loop that mixes purpose-built trails and bridleways
1. From the Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre head south, leaving the centre to your left, and follow the road as it swings left and begins to climb. At first switchback left, carry straight on past picnic area on forest track. Fork right when track splits, following South Downs Way signs. Descend to a car park and continue straight on, initially on Tarmac and then on track.
2. At Coulters Dean Farm (SU749195) turn left onto bridleway (leaving South Downs Way) and climb through woodland. After 1km turn left, following bridleway, to descend to track. Turn right, then next left to descend steeply on loose, flinty trail. At the bottom, continue straight on along valley bottom (may be muddy). After 500m turn left onto bridleway, climbing to edge of woods. Turn sharp left on track (straight on leads to private house).
3. After 800m turn left on track through hamlet of Eckensfield. Follow bridleway to track at SU771171. Turn left onto track between fields, through Hucksholt Farm to join road. Go straight on along road, and take the first fork right onto a smaller road. Keep left at the next fork, then turn left onto bridleway across grassland. Follow the trail parallel to a road, initially on open hillside then in woodland.
4. After descending briefly, turn left onto bridleway in narrow strip of trees between fields, descending eventually to road at SU768133. Turn right on road, then next left. After 500m turn right onto bridleway descending through trees. At trail junction, bear slightly left to descend more steeply to road. Cross road to join minor road opposite, climbing for 1km. Turn right onto track, then after 300m right again onto bridleway, descending steeply to road.
5. Cross road to join bridleway opposite, climbing across field to woods. Follow bridleway to descend to Stoughton (and pub). At Stoughton turn right then immediately left onto wide bridleway climbing very steeply southeast. As climb levels out, take bridleway to left across to Kingley Vale and Bow Hill.
6. Continue across hilltop, leaving ancient grave mounds to your right to re-enter woods. At trail junction after 1km either continue straight on along bridleway or turn left on bridleway then quickly right along trail to downhill course – both routes emerge at the same place. Turn right on track along the valley bottom, climbing along edge of woodland to join road at Chilgrove.
7. Turn left on road and continue for 800m before turning right onto bridleway, eventually emerging opposite Royal Oak pub. Turn left on road for 200m then turn right onto bridleway, climbing north to lane at SU812169. Follow lane for 1km past Telegraph House then fork left on bridleway, climbing then descending to join South Downs Way at Harting Down.
8. Turn left to follow trail to car park and road. Cross road to join a bridleway opposite, descending through woods to next road. Cross road again to bridleway opposite, following South Downs Way signs back to car park at eastern edge of Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Climb track from car park and either retrace earlier path back to the visitor centre or bear left to pick up final descent on the Red trail. |
|
WMB144.The South Downs_Moderate |
wmbsu |
Jan 14th, 11:57 |
|
24.9km |
|
| Start/Finish Rottingdean long stay car park, TQ370/021
Total distance 25.1km (15.6 miles)
Total ascent 788m (2585ft)
Time 2-3.5 hours
Map OS Landranger 1:50K No.198 Brighton & Lewes
Summary Travel far and wide, along the coast and through the valleys on this big, but easy to navigate and fast paced route.
1 Go left out of the car park, to lights/crossroads left on High Street, keeping right on slipway to seafront. Go right on concrete track below the cliffs, all the way to the start of the marina and bear right, uphill, to the A259. Go right beside, then left over this road to join the B2066.
2 Turn right at the golf club, joining the bridleway, uphill, keeping right at the top, then downhill and sharp left at T-junction before Ovingdean. Continue uphill, keeping left at a fork, past the golf then race courses to a road beyond the car park. Go left on road then right on byway (Drove Road) when road bears left.
3 Follow this track ahead and right at a fork, between the houses and fields, over the B2123 and right at the next fork. Bear left at a fork 100m before the radar mast. Follow this downhill to a crosstracks at the bottom by some trees. Turn left.
4 Bear right by old barns on faint bridleway, becoming uphill and more obvious, then better track by farm buildings and bearing right over cattle grid. Join the South Downs Way (SDW), following the signposts until the bottom of a steep grassy field, after a lone (gated) house, at farm track T-junction.
5 Head right, leaving the SDW, through farm, following the track left through gate then bearing right uphill, to a road. Go right on the road, through Telscombe, uphill, over cattle grid at the top and keep ahead, and stay ahead off-road as road bears left.
6 Continue downhill, to and over the A259, then right for 1km. Cross the roundabout before turning left. Keep left to head to the seafront. Turn right along the seafront, back to Rottingdean and turn right by the White Horse Hotel. Turn right at the crossroads/lights to head uphill to the car park. |
|
WMB144.The South Downs_Easy |
wmbsu |
Jan 14th, 11:58 |
|
12.2km |
|
| Start/finish Stanmer Park, TQ337/096
Total distance 12.2km (7.6 miles)
Total ascent 351m (1151ft)
Time 1-1.5 hours
Map OS Landranger 1:50K No.198 Brighton & Lewes
Summary A great introduction to all the ups and downs of the Downs.
1 Turn right out of the car park (opposite the church) and go right again, past the tea room, keeping ahead on the bridleway through a gate. Follow the track uphill, keeping ahead at crosstracks in the trees, bearing left and downhill.
2 Follow grassy track uphill, through a gate to T-junction and turn right, heading downhill to houses (St Mary’s Farm). Turn left and keep left at fork. Follow this bridleway uphill, to a crosstracks at the top shortly past a farm.
3 Turn left along the top on the South Downs Way (SDW), to and over a road, through the Ditchling Beacon car park and continue along the SDW. After 0.3km take the second bridleway on the left (after the beacon) and follow it downhill.
4 At the fork after 1km, where the track narrows and fades, keep left, then bearing right then left to the road. Cross the road into the trees and go
left at the junction, following this bridleway track downhill (there is an alternative singletrack trail that runs to the right of this bridleway track).
5 Turn right at the obvious crosstracks, underneath the power cables, and retrace your steps back downhill to Stanmer village, this time stopping at the tea room. |
|
WMB144.The South Downs_Classic |
wmbsu |
Jan 14th, 11:54 |
|
39.9km |
|
| Start/Finish Stanmer Park, TQ337/096
Total distance 40.2km (25 miles)
Total ascent 1100m (3609ft)
Time 3-5 hours
Map OS Landranger 1:50K No.198 Brighton & Lewes
Summary Explore the forgotten valleys of the Downs, the steep north escarpments and the twisty woodland singletrack of Stanmer Park.
1 Exit Stanmer Park and turn left, joining the cycle path past/over the university entrance, beside the A27. Take the slip road, go over roundabout on cycle path to Falmer. Turn right on road then right opposite Swan, over A27, join Park Street, keeping ahead, past the pond then ahead off-road when the road turns right.
2 Continue uphill, beside road, becoming a better track. Go through gate and head left away from the road. Bear right by a wood, then left through a gate and turn right on South Downs Way (SDW), to doubletrack and turn right, off the SDW. After 200m turn left through a gate, head downhill, through gate at the bottom and left, the track improves past old barns, to crosstracks by few trees.
3 Turn and keep right on bridleway, following a gradual climb, bearing right then left, to T-junction at the top. Turn left past radar mast and houses then keep left at a fork. Continue downhill to and then left on road. Follow the road right then bear off left at fork on farm track, then shortly bear right off this onto a smaller track.
4 Continue uphill to a farm track past farm building. Keep ahead, leaving the good track that bears right, on the SDW. Bear left and
keep left/high along the top, with a drop to your right. Continue through
a gate, then take a right at a fork, heading downhill. Continue to Kingston near Lewes.
5 Cross over the road, then cross field then over the A27, following Tarmac right, then left at end of Jubilee Park on a bridleway, between houses and railway. Turn right at end on road, cross the A277, keep right at fork to continue on bridleway before a sharp right between fields and houses then left at end of fields. Keep left uphill on the bridleway.
6 Continue uphill past stables, under power lines. As trees get closer on your right near the top, look for small bridleway entrance into trees down the slope on the left. Take the singletrack behind Blackcap Hill down to and then left on farm track. Go back uphill to the top and then right through a gate, uphill on SDW to the road by Ditchling Beacon.
7 Turn right on singletrack before the road heading downhill. Turn right on the road at the bottom (or left and left at crossroads to do the famous road climb). Go right at crossroads in Westmeston, becoming off-road, uphill and then head right at the top, back to Ditchling Road. Cross road, through car park, for 0.3km then take second bridleway on the left, downhill.
8 Go left at fork after 1km where the track narrows and fades, crossing Ditchling Road and turning right in trees. Follow the singletrack trail parallel to Ditchling Road, then take the A27 to Great Wood. There are lots of trails through these woods, but keep ahead to emerge back at the main entrance and car park to Stanmer Park. |
|
WMB143.Surrey Hills_Moderate |
wmbsu |
Dec 11th 2012, 02:34 |
|
26.1km |
- MTB
- Intermediate
- Offroad
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Westcott, TQ 141/486
Total distance 26.2km
(16.3 miles)
Total ascent 613m
Time 2-4 hours
Maps OS Landranger (1:50K) No. 187 Dorking & Reigate
Summary Explore the chalky beech tree trails through Ranmore Common, sandy pine forest tracks in Pitch and Holmbury Hill, before heading back down the valley.
1. From Nirvana Cycles go along Balchins Lane, keeping left, then go right on a bridleway to a cross tracks and turn right, over the railway, uphill. Keep ahead, joining a wider track, then left at a cross tracks, on the bridleway along the top, to a road. Turn right then left on the bridleway and follow this to forest track/cross tracks and go left. Continue on this wide track, eventually coming to stables.
2. Keep ahead, turning left at the end of the stables (or right to the mini death bowl, on the sharp corner of the road), on the bridleway, past the bins, downhill. Take care over the rooty section in the middle of the track near the road at the bottom. Go left before the road, then right, under the road and left. Turn right into Shere.
3. Turn right on Pathfields Road as you exit the village, keeping ahead on a bridleway into the woods. Keep left at two forks, uphill
to a road then right at the junction, over the railway.
Turn right on a bridleway immediately after and keep right, alongside the railway, to a lane by houses. Turn right.
4. Bear left, past houses, on sandy track, that becomes Tarmac. When this bears right keep ahead on bridleway. Stay left as you join a wide track, left at fork by house, and keep left at the next fork, to/across a road. Continue along the bridleway, joining a road and keep right into Peaslake village. NOTE: See the Classic route to extend the ride, to explore the trails on Holmbury Hill, such as Golden Birdies, Telegraph road and the T-trails on Pitch Hill.
5. Go left on the road by Peaslake village stores, follow this road to Burrows Cross. Turn right on a dead end road, just as the road bears left. Keep ahead on bridleway, into the trees and downhill. Go right at the bottom, to the A25. Go right on this then shortly left on a minor road.
Go right on a bridleway following the NCN route signs along the valley bottom. Keep ahead, over a road, along the edge of Deerleap Wood, and continue on to retrace your tracks to Westcott. |
|
WMB143.Surrey Hills_Easy |
wmbsu |
Dec 11th 2012, 02:35 |
|
11.4km |
|
| Start/Finish Shere sports ground, TQ 073/479
Total distance 11.4km (7.1 miles)
Total ascent 245m
Time 1.5-3 hours
Maps OS Landranger 1:50K No. 187 Dorking & Reigate
Summary A gentle introduction to the riding, tea shops and pubs of the Surrey Hills, and the option to explore the T-trails on Pitch Hill.
1. Head through the village, past White Horse pub on the right, turn right on Pathfields Road as you exit the village. Continue on to bridleway into the woods. Keep left at two forks, heading uphill to a road. Go left on the road, then right at the junction, over the bridge/railway and turn right on a bridleway immediately after.
2. Keep right alongside the railway to a lane by houses and turn right, bearing left (by railway), past houses, downhill on sandy track. Continue on track as it becomes Tarmac. When it bears right keep ahead on a bridleway.
3. Keep left as you join a wider track, and left at fork by house. Keep left at the next fork along this bridleway to a road. Cross the road and continue along the bridleway, joining a road. Keep right on this into Peaslake village. NOTE: Pitch Hill is home to the manmade T-trails, and others, and is worth exploring. Golden Birdies is on this side of Holmbury Hill and well worth a visit.
4. Go left on the road by Peaslake village stores, follow this road to Burrows Cross and turn right on a dead end road, just as the road bears left. Keep ahead on the bridleway, into the trees and downhill. Turn left at the T-junction at the bottom and follow the bridleway, bear left off good track.
5. Go under the railway bridge at Gomshall and bear left at fork, over a crossroads, on Gravel Pits Lane, bearing left, then fork right off this onto a bridleway back into Shere. Go right when you hit the Tarmac, then left by the church, back into the centre of the village. |
|
WMB143.Surrey Hills_Classic |
wmbsu |
Dec 11th 2012, 02:32 |
|
34.8km |
- MTB
- Difficult
- Offroad
- High traffic
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish: Westcott, TQ 141/486
Total distance 35.4km (22 miles)
Total ascent 1060m
Time 2.5-5 hours
Maps OS Landranger 1:50,000 No 187 Dorking & Reigate
Summary Explore the trails on all three of the famous hills, Pitch, Holmbury and Leith, plus have a quick delve into the natural trails of Ranmore Common.
1. From Nirvana Cycles continue along Balchins Lane, keeping left, then right on a bridleway to a cross tracks by a farm. Turn right, over the railway and climb uphill. Keep ahead, joining a wider track, then turn left at a cross tracks. Continue on the bridleway along the top to a road. Turn right on the road then left on the bridleway. Turn left onto a bridleway just before a cross tracks with forest track. Descend Hackhurst Downs.
2. After the railway and farm, turn left on the bridleway into the woods. Turn right at cross tracks to go over the A25, passing a farm. Turn right at the end of the road, you’re now in Sutton Abinger. Turn right just past a pub, to and then left on the B2126. Take the first right, Radnor Lane, past the YHA. Keep ahead on the bridleway, ignoring a track then bridleway on your left. Take the track just past this at a slight clearing.
3. Continue uphill before turning left over the (Radnor) road by the clearing/worksite. Join the well-worn singletrack of Golden Birdies aka Barry Knows Best. Join the road, right, into Peaslake. For a loop around Pitch Hill, (when looking at the Pedal & Spoke bike shop), take the steep Tarmac track up the right-hand side and keep ahead off-road.
4. Look for the trails/riders either side. Curly Wurly is on your right as you climb, the start of which is right at the cross tracks at the top, then off on a singletrack to your right just a short way along. Back down in Peaslake go right by Peaslake stores then left on Radnor Road. Continue uphill then left on dead end. Turn right on a bridleway.
5. Keep ahead at all the cross tracks, bear left at T-junction, to cross-tracks. Go hard right on bridleway, uphill, and second right at multiple cross tracks, to car park. Go left past the metal barriers, right at fork, to viewpoint and left on forest track. Parklife is on the right after about 150m, on a faint track into the undergrowth. Keep right at the fork, and follow this trail to a forest track at the end.
6. Go right, over a cross tracks then bear left on singletrack underneath the telegraph lines (Telegraph road), bearing right off it, near the end, on a sandy singletrack as the trail opens up. This trail (Mutiny) drops downhill and then bear left to the B2126 road, then left on Pasture Wood Road at Holmbury St Mary, then join the Greensand Way on right, off-road all the way to Leith Hill tower.
7. Head past the tower on the wide track, downhill, past the cricket ground, then look for a track on the left which leads you to the start of the Summer Lightening trail (signposted). If you miss it, it is also accessible from Wolverns Lane (the byway, from the pub), then left on
the bridleway. Follow this trail, joining a wider track (byway), downhill and look out for a bridleway on the right (easy to miss at speed). Keep right at a drive, to the A25 road and go right on this back to Westcott. |
|
WMB142.Yorkshire Dales_moderate |
wmbsu |
Nov 12th 2012, 10:43 |
|
23km |
- MTB
- Basic
- Offroad
- Rural
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Askrigg, SD950911
Total distance 23.1km (14.3 miles)
Total ascent 609m (2000 feet)
Time 3-5 hours
Maps OS Landranger No 98, Wensleydale & Upper Wharfedale, OS Explorer OL30, Yorkshire Dales: N & Cen areas
Summary Two big ups and two big downs on open ground. One for a fine day.
1. Start at the village car park off Leyburn Road. Turn right out of the car park and then left along Main Street. Fork left at Market Place to continue southwest on road. Follow road for 1.7km then turn left, cross bridge and follow road into Bainbridge. Upon meeting the A684 on a bend, turn right, then immediately left then fork right onto Back Syke. Follow for 300m to junction – turn right onto Cam High Road.
2. Climb for 1km, then join bridleway heading straight on as road swings left. Continue to climb on track for just over 3km to junction with road. Turn left and climb on road before dropping steeply down road towards Semerwater. At road junction turn right then immediately left to follow road across head of Semerwater.
3. Follow road as it swings to the southwest and climbs steeply. At the top of the hill fork left onto track (if you descend steeply on the road you’ve missed it) and continue to climb across moorland. Stay on very obvious wide track for just over 3km. As gradient eases slightly, turn left onto track heading northeast, initially climbing more gently then descending to road at Carpley Green.
4. Follow road for 1.5km then go through gate on right onto bridleway heading initially northeast and following wall as it swings east. OS map shows bridleway cutting straight across the field, but obvious trail goes around the edge and is easier to follow. At NE corner of field go through gate and continue straight on to reach next gate.
5. Go through this gate and follow grassy trail to left turn through gate onto stony track. Descend obvious track to Cubeck, bear left at road junction and follow minor road. At junction with A684 (Worton) go straight over and continue on minor road, over bridge, and keep left at junctions to return to Askrigg. |
|
WMB142.Yorkshire Dales_Easy |
wmbsu |
Nov 12th 2012, 10:40 |
|
21.3km |
- MTB
- Basic
- Offroad
- Rural
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Askrigg, SD950911
Total distance 21.4km
(13.2 miles)
Total ascent 396m (1300 feet)
Time 1-2 hours
Maps OS Landranger No 98, Wensleydale & Upper Wharfedale, OS Explorer OL30, Yorkshire Dales: N & Cen areas
Summary Relatively low-level out-and-back route gives a flavour of the Dales without the exposed high ground
1. From the car park in Leyburn Road, turn left and head east. Stay on the road as it swings left and climbs steeply out of the village. At the top the road bears right and gently descends towards the hamlet of Woodhall.
2. At Woodhall, turn left on signposted bridleway through farm and climb on zig-zag track up hillside. At forked junction keep right and continue climbing to gate. Pass through the gate, turn right and follow track uphill, crossing bridge after 300m.
3. 400m after the bridge the surfaced track swings left towards the old mine workings – leave the track and continue straight along grassy bridleway parallel to wall, climbing gently. Cross straight over second track from mine workings and keep left at bridleway forks.
4. Negotiate stream crossing at the top of the climb and then descend for 3.5km on well-surfaced track to Castle Bolton (with toilets and tea room). Retrace path to the top of the zig-zag track, going back through the gate and then taking the first right onto an obvious track.
5. Follow this uphill to Heugh, ignoring side turnings. Continue slightly north of west on track between dry stone walls to reach road. Turn left and descend on road back to Askrigg. Turn left in village to return to start point. |
|
WMB142.Yorkshire Dales_Classic |
wmbsu |
Nov 12th 2012, 10:37 |
|
33.5km |
- MTB
- Steep
- Difficult
- Offroad
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Askrigg, SD950911
Total distance 33.6km (20.9 miles)
Total ascent 986m (3200ft)
Time 3-5 hours
Maps OS Landranger No 98, Wensleydale & Upper Wharfedale, OS Explorer Map OL30, Yorkshire Dales: N & Cen areas
Summary Big open spaces, with a mix of mine tracks, ancient highways and moorland singletrack.
1. From the car park off Leyburn Road, turn left and head east. Stay on the road as it swings left and climbs out of the village. At the top the road bears right and gently descends towards the hamlet of Woodhall.
2. At Woodhall (3km from start), turn left on bridleway through a farm and climb zig-zag track up hillside. At forked junction keep right and continue climbing to gate. Pass through gate, turn right and follow track uphill, crossing bridge after 300m. 400m after the bridge the surfaced track swings left towards the old mine workings – leave the track and continue along bridleway parallel to wall, climbing gently.
3. Cross over second track from mine workings and keep left at bridleway forks. Cross stream at the top of the climb, then descend for 3.5km on track to Castle Bolton. Continue past castle on Tarmac for 300m, passing church on the left and road turning to the right before turning left onto bridleway. Climb on loose, rocky, narrow trail, to reach open ground. Continue up grassy hillside – mapped bridleway swings right then left but is indistinct, the obvious trail runs parallel to wall.
4. Pass through gate at the top of the field to reach trail junction. Turn right and follow the wide track uphill before descending for 600m over bridge to crossroads. Turn left and climb Apedale for 3.5km on mainly good track. At the head of Apedale is a steep, rocky pitch – probably a push.
5. Follow bridleway through old mine workings, keeping left when another bridleway drops northwards down valley. Descend on wide but loose and twisty mine track for 1.6km to road. Turn right on road for 500m, cross bridge then turn left before cattle grid onto bridleway next to stream in gully. At the ruined buildings bear right through gate and descend to join wider track. Turn right then left through gate onto signed bridleway across field, descending steeply, mainly on grass, to join road by farm buildings.
6. Turn left and follow lane, carrying straight on at first junction then following the road to climb steeply to Crackpot. Continue on road as gradient eases beyond Crackpot along to Summer Lodge and the end of the Tarmac. At Summer Lodge, pass through gate and climb very steeply
on loose, rocky track for 1km to
rejoin road.
7. Go straight on up road and continue to climb. Cattle grid marks high point of the road. Descend for 800m then turn left onto signposted singletrack bridleway heading east across moorland towards ruined building on hilltop. After 300m fork left to traverse hillside on undulating, often indistinct and potentially soft singletrack – runs close to fence for much of its length.
8. Trail runs south past rock outcrops and then descends for 2km, initially on open grassland before joining wide track. Stay on track through gates to trail junction at SD975910 – note that track on ground deviates from bridleway on map, stay on obvious track. At junction turn right and climb gently to hamlet of Heugh.
9. Continue slightly north of west on track between dry stone walls to reach road. Turn left and descend steeply on road back to Askrigg. Turn left in village to return to start point. |
|
WMB141.Isle of Wight_Moderate |
wmbsu |
Oct 9th 2012, 11:26 |
|
25.7km |
- Recreational
- MTB
- Intermediate
- Offroad
- Rural
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Cheverton Farm, SZ 458/844
Total distance 25.8km (16 miles)
Total ascent 665m
Time 2-3.5 hours
Maps OS Landranger (1:50k) No 196
The Solent & Isle of Wight.
Summary Complete a lap of the Chevy Chase trail, followed by some natural singletrack trails on quiet bridleways on quite hilly terrain, before returning to the Chevy Chase trail.
1. Head away from the farmhouse, up a small slope, past a tethered goat (!), and follow the Chevy Chase trail signposts to the right, to complete a whole lap of the trail. Back at the farm turn right on the road, then
left onto a concrete track, continuing uphill. Turn right and go through gate near a radar mast, following the grassy sunken track, downhill, past old chalk pits.
2. Turn left at T-junction, right on road then left road turning, and left on bridleway through Ramsdown Farm, keeping ahead/along field edge. Turn left on an easy to miss clearing through field on bridleway crossing the track, down into Chillerton.
3. Go right on road then left through ford as road bears right. Uphill and left on bridleway keep ahead, bearing left past a farm, steep uphill. Go right to contour the hill then descend to the right. Over crossroads at bottom by house, then left at cross-tracks, north on the Shepherds Trail, becoming trail in tunnel of trees.
4. At road turn left (Froglands lane), bearing right down to B3323. Go right then left on Nodgham lane, looking for sharp left onto the Tennyson Trail. Keep ahead, uphill then down to a wide cross-tracks with barrier on right and turn left, coming back on yourself, then right on singletrack.
5. Keep ahead/left joining a doubletrack at the end, through gate to ridgetop and follow the track, past the lone barn, and re-join the Chevy Chase trail (signposted) on the left, along the Devil’s Spine section again. Ride the alternative end to the trail to the one you rode before, back to the finish. |
|
WMB141.Isle of Wight_Easy |
wmbsu |
Oct 9th 2012, 11:24 |
|
18.9km |
- Recreational
- MTB
- Basic
- Offroad
- Rural
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Compton Down car park, SZ 366/854
Total distance 19km (11.8 miles)
Total ascent 405m
Time 1.5-2.5 hours
Maps OS Landranger (1:50K) No 196 The Solent & Isle of Wight.
Summary A gentle introduction to the island, with great views, no great technical challenge, but a couple of steep hills.
1. Turn right on the road then right on a bridleway after 100m. There are steps at the start, then a steep uphill to a golf course at the top and three-way junction with wide tracks (right goes uphill, and left goes downhill). Keep ahead, then bear left and downhill.
2. Turn right at the junction before the clubhouse, left of the barn and immediately left to the hidden bridleway in the corner. Keep ahead, between the fields, through a gate and right to a road. Go left then immediately right on another road (The Causeway). Follow this to just before a bridge by the water and turn right on the cycle track.
3. Keep ahead/right to a road at the end and go right on this then left after 1km on a road to Wellow. Turn in the village (signed as cycle route). Turn right shortly after a left-hand bend, on a bridleway, keeping straight ahead, climbing gradually. Bear left on a road, then immediately right off it, uphill to the B3399 road.
4. Cross the road and follow grassy track uphill, turning left before a gate near the top. Keep right at T-junction, downhill to and over a road. Turn right at fork just beyond the barrier, and continue uphill. Right at the top, through a gate and bear right down to and through a gate.
5. Follow the sunken grassy track downhill to the left, through a gate and over the road. Keep right on the chalky doubletrack steeply uphill, becoming worn grassy track at the top. Follow the doubletrack through the golf course, to a fork and turn left on the grassy track you came up before. Go downhill, watch out for steps at the bottom, and left on road, back to the car park. |
|
WMB141.Isle of Wight_Classic Ride |
wmbsu |
Oct 9th 2012, 11:20 |
|
38.3km |
- Recreational
- MTB
- Difficult
- Offroad
- Rural
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Cheverton Farm, SZ 458/844
Total distance 38.6km (24 miles)
Total ascent 1015m
Time 3-6 hours
Maps OS Landranger (1:50K) No.196 The Solent and Isle of Wight or Explorer (1:25K) OL29: Isle of Wight.
Summary Classic Isle of Wight mountain bike ride, with wonderful views, hills, hidden trails and added bonus of the new Chevy Chase trail.
1. Follow the Chevy Chase trail away from the farmhouse, for a whole lap to return to the farm. Turn right on the road, then left on concrete track, uphill, bearing to the left of the radar mast, along the top. Look for a bridleway on the right after entering scattered trees.
2. Follow the bridleway downhill, keeping right, and turn left after a farm, to a road. Go right then left on bridleway, uphill, and keep ahead at cross tracks, becoming trail in tunnel of trees. At the road turn left (Froglands lane), bearing right down to B3323. Go right then left on Nodgham lane. Look for a sharp left onto the Tennyson Trail off here.
3. Keep ahead, uphill then downhill to a wide cross tracks and turn right, past barrier and immediately right at fork. Turn left off this track on singletrack after right bend. Go downhill, over road and back uphill, crossing straight over cross tracks. Bear left at the top, through a gate.
4. Bear right down to a gate and follow the sunken grassy track downhill to the left, through a gate and over the road. Keep right on the chalky doubletrack steeply uphill, becoming worn grassy track at the top. Follow the doubletrack through the golf course. Turn right at the fork near the bottom.
5. Bear left, downhill, then turn right on track before the clubhouse, and join Pilgrims Way bridleway, (heading east). Keep ahead contouring the hillside, then along the treeline. Keep right at T-junction, becoming better track to a road.
6. Go over the road, then right at fork just past the barrier, uphill, right at the top, through a gate to the cross tracks. Turn left this time, uphill, through gate at the top for a fast, open descent to Strawberry Lane car park at the bottom.
7. Go right on the road, then immediately left off it, on stony doubletrack uphill. Keep straight ahead, past viewpoint. Shortly past the lone barn rejoin the Chevy Chase trail (signposted) on the left. Ride the Devil’s Spine section again, and ride the alternative end to the trail you rode before, back to the finish. |
|
WMB140.Lake District_Moderate Ride |
wmbsu |
Sep 20th 2012, 11:18 |
|
34.5km |
- MTB
- Intermediate
- Offroad
- Rural
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Braithwaite Police station bus stop, NY 23307 23683
Total distance 34.8km (21.6 miles)
Total ascent 1405m (4610 feet)
Time 3-5 hours
Maps OS Explorer OL4 The Lake District: NW area and OS Explorer OL6 The Lake District: SW area, OS Landranger 90 Penrith & Keswick.
Summary Something of a local classic, but with a bit of a twist – this loop has a bit of everything.
1. If using the Bike Bus, get off at the Braithwaite Police Station stop and head south west down Croft Terrace. At the end turn left then bear left. After 700m fork left to descend to bridge, then keep right at the next junction. At the T-junction next to a pub turn right to continue on road to climb to Little Town.
2. At the top of the road turn left onto bridleway for steep climb over Cat Bells (will require pushing/carrying). Carry straight on at the top to start a steep, technical descent, zigzagging near the top. Emerge on road at Manesty and turn right, following road around the southern tip of Derwent Water to join B5289. Turn left and follow road along lakeshore for 3.5km.
3. Turn sharp right up steep road, over Ashness Bridge and continue to Watendlath where the road ends. Turn right, cross the bridge and join bridleway climbing southwest. At the top stay on bridleway to descend on well-surfaced trail. After 500m fork left at bridleway junction. Rejoin B5289 at Rosthwaite, turn left and follow road to Seatoller. Ascend eastern side of Honister Pass.
4. After about 1km switch back right onto bridleway and traverse roughly northeast on obvious trail. Keep left at fork after 1km and follow bridleway past Castle Crag to Grange. Turn left on road and follow for 1.2km before turning left up steep bridleway at Manesty.
5. Fork right to join Allerdale Ramble running parallel to road up west side of Derwent Water. After 1.5km the trail dips to a road – don’t join the road – keep left to follow next stretch of trail. When the trail meets the road, turn left then immediately right. After 800m turn left at junction then next right and retrace your path to Braithwaite. |
|
WMB140.Lake District_Easy Ride |
wmbsu |
Sep 20th 2012, 11:25 |
|
16.8km |
- MTB
- Basic
- Offroad
- Rural
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Car park off the A591, NY366059
Total distance 17.4km
(10.8 miles)
Total ascent 543m (1780 feet)
Time 1-2 hours
Maps OS Explorer OL7 The Lake District: SE area, OS Landranger 90 Penrith & Keswick.
Summary Less technical than the others but still features a decent amount of climbing and descending. An ideal Lakes taster.
1. If you’re using the Bike Bus, get off at the Rydal Church bus stop north of Ambleside. From there, head south towards Ambleside on the A591 for 250m before turning right over a small humpback bridge and then immediately right again onto lane and over cattle grid. Continue to car park.
2. From the car park head back down the lane towards the road, over the cattle grid and turn right at the end. Follow road for 1.8km then turn right onto bridleway. Climb past Brow Head Farm and continue as track surface deteriorates. Stay on the obvious track once you’re out of the trees.
3. At the top of the climb fork left and descend towards southwest past Ivy Crag. Keep right to stay north of wall for short climb. Descend to minor road. Turn right on road, then right again. Follow the road northwest, keep left at first fork then right at second fork.
4. At T-junction with B5343 turn right for 400m then left onto minor road. After 600m fork right then right again up a lane. At the top of the climb carry straight on over junction. Continue on lane as it turns into bridleway and follow to rejoin B5343. Turn right and follow road to Chapel Stile.
5. Fork left onto minor road past church and climb to Youth Hostel. Continue on road for 300m, descending to junction. Turn left then right onto Loughrigg Terrace bridleway. Descend on bridleway and follow alongside (and briefly in) Rydal Water to return to car park. |
|
WMB140.Lake District_Classic Ride |
wmbsu |
Sep 20th 2012, 11:13 |
|
37.9km |
|
| Start/Finish Rydal Church, NY365062
Total distance 38.7km (24 miles)
Total ascent 1545m (5000ft)
Time 5-7 hours
Maps OS Explorer OL4 The Lake District: NW area and OS Explorer OL6 The Lake District: SW area, OS Landranger 90 Penrith & Keswick.
Summary Spectacular point-to-point techfest with bonus hike-a-bikes.
1. If using the Bike Bus, get off at the Rydal Church bus stop north of Ambleside. From there, head south towards Ambleside on the A591 for 250m before turning right over a small humpback bridge and then immediately right again onto a lane and over a cattle grid. Continue to a car park, follow the track past the car park heading west. Climb on a stony track through woodland to a gate.
2. Fork right after the gate to descend to the shores of Rydal Water. Follow the bridleway alongside (and briefly in...) the lake and up Loughrigg Terrace to a road. Turn left, continue for 100m then fork right and descend past a Youth Hostel. Keep right on the lane to emerge on the B5343 at Walthwaite. Turn right and follow the road for 3km to New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.
3. Go up the drive and past the hotel to pick up bridleway heading initially northwest from behind the hotel before running alongside a wall, roughly parallel to road, to Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. Continue on wider bridleway up Mickleden, climbing gradually alongside the river. The trail gradually steepens towards the head of valley.
4. At trail junction (NY261074) fork left and cross a bridge to climb steeply alongside Rossett Gill – intermittently rideable but with extensive pushing and carrying. The path zigzags through crags and outcrops towards a high point under Rossett Pike.
5. Follow the trail for a short descent to pass north of Angle Tarn before climbing again to Tongue Head and then to Esk Hause and the high point of the ride. On the map the trail goes straight on, on the ground it’s a very slight right and then left at the trail junction.
6. Descend on often technical and tricky trail northwest past Sprinkling Tarn to junction above Sty Head (NY219095). Turn right to head northeast, with Great Gable to your left and Seathwaite Fell to your right, along loose track.
7. Pass to west of Styhead Tarn and continue alongside Styhead Gill. Keep right, crossing to the south side of stream (avoid footpath that forks left) and tackle steep stone-pitched descent to Stockley Bridge.
8. After the bridge turn left and follow the track north to join Tarmac at Seathwaite. Continue on road to Seatoller, turn left through village (refreshments available) to ascend steep eastern side of Honister Pass.
9. After about 1km switch back right onto a bridleway and traverse roughly northeast on obvious trail. Keep left at fork after 1km and follow bridleway past Castle Crag to Grange. Turn left on road and follow for 1.2km before turning left up steep bridleway at Manesty. Fork right to join Allerdale Ramble running parallel to road up the west side of Derwent Water.
10. After 1.5km the trail dips to a road – don’t join the road – keep left to follow the next stretch of trail. When the trail meets the road, turn left and then immediately sharp right. After 800m turn right again.
11. Follow the road for 2km through Portinscale then turn right – road is signposted National Cycle Network route 71 (and dead end for cars). Continue to follow NCN signs over bridge and along track to junction with B5289. Turn right onto road (take care) and follow to Keswick town centre and the end of the ride. |
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WMB139.Forest of Bowland, Lancs_Moderate |
wmbsu |
Aug 22nd 2012, 09:10 |
|
19.9km |
- MTB
- Intermediate
- Offroad
- Rural
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Dunsop Bridge, SD659501
Total distance 20km (12.4 miles)
Total time 2-4 hours
Maps OS Landranger 103 Blackburn & Burnley, Clitheroe & Skipton. Or Garmin GB Discoverer 1:50K Northern England & Midlands (GPS).
Summary A gentle warm up spiced up with climbs and fun, tricky descents.
1 Turn right out of the car park, over Dunsop Bridge. Follow the road left at a T-junction. Turn right after 2km, signed Wild Boar park, just before Burholme bridge. Continue uphill for 1.7km then turn right on Tarmac bridleway, uphill. Keep right at the fork. Turn right off the Tarmac, on the bridleway as the track bears left.
2 Follow the obvious track through the valley, mostly downhill, until a climb out of the trees. Go through a gate, keeping left, and continue uphill through the grassy field. Keep to the left of a red container on an unobvious trail, becoming grassy downhill, choosing a line down to the farm. Turn right to the road by the house, to the main road. Go left on this for 2.5km then right on a good bridleway (by a barn), uphill.
3 At field entrance bear left on unobvious track, uphill across the grassy field to/through a gate and continue (walk) to a fence. Keep left, beside the fence (on your right), on a more obvious track, to and then through a
gate. Keep ahead, bearing left, becoming downhill and look for the (hidden) start of a rocky, narrow singletrack with a big drop to the right, steeply downhill. Take care.
4 It’s a grassy finish to Brennand farm. Turn right here, past the barking dogs, and follow this good track down the valley, becoming Tarmac. After around 3.5km cross a footbridge on the left (through a gate) to the other side of the river, again track becomes Tarmac, leading to Puddleducks café in Dunsop. Turn left on the road to the car park. |
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WMB139.Forest of Bowland, Lancs_Easy |
wmbsu |
Aug 22nd 2012, 09:12 |
|
11.1km |
- MTB
- Basic
- Offroad
- Rural
- Scenic
|
| Start/Finish Dunsop Bridge, SD659501
Total distance 11.2km (6.9 miles)
Total time 1-1.5 hours
Maps OS Landranger 103 Blackburn & Burnley, Clitheroe & Skipton. Or Garmin GB Discoverer 1:50K Northern England & Midlands (GPS).
Summary Gentle intro to the area.
1 Turn right out of the car park and over Dunsop Bridge. Follow road left at T-junction for 2km. Go right on a road (signed Wild Boar park) just before crossing Burholme bridge. Head uphill for 1.7km then right on Tarmac bridleway, uphill. Keep right at the fork.
2 Turn right off the Tarmac, off-road on the bridleway as the track bears left, following rough track through a gate into the trees. Follow the obvious trail, mostly downhill, until a climb out of the trees. Go through a gate and keep left, uphill through the grassy field.
3 Keep to the left of a red container and Mellor Knoll (hill on right) on no obvious trail, becoming grassy downhill, choosing your line down to the farm. Turn right to the road by the house, to the main road. Turn right.
4 Pass a small church on the right, a small school and new houses. Turn left at road junction at the end, back down over Dunsop Bridge, to the finish. |
