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Cycle Routes in Coniston
Yewdale and Tilberthwaite, Coniston
The little side valley of Tilberthwaite was once a thriving centre for slate quarrying. Numerous clean-cut walls and deep-water filled hollows bear testament to this. They have been idle for many decades and nature has pretty much reclaimed them blanketing them in wonderful deciduous woodland and softening them with undergrowth. They are mostly of interest to rock climbers and divers. One of their legacies is a network of tracks and bridleway that interlink them and connect with the main valleys of Yewdale and little Langdale
Cycle Route Map and Information
Tilberthwaite and Tarn Hows, Coniston
Tucked away amongst the low fells around Tilberthwaite and Tarn Hows are two trails that break this convention. The first one is an old bridleway that crosses the fells just north of Tarn Hows connecting the upper end of Yewdale with Knipe Fold. The second is a newly opened permissive route that drops down from Tarn Hows to Monk Coniston. Both routes offer outstanding descents particularly for those riders seeking to up their experience level.
Cycle Route Map and Information
Coniston Water
The sections of cycle path are a little disjointed but nevertheless can be utilized to make a pleasant mountain bike ride which explores the low fells and woodland on the western side of Coniston Water. All the cycling is very easy and this route is perfectly suited to beginners and those looking for a gentle ride.
Cycle Route Map and Information
Cycle Routes around Newby Bridge
Cartmel loop at Fell Foot Park
Cycle route around the Cartmel Peninsula starting and finishing at Fell Foot park.
Cycle Route Map and Information
Newby Bridge and Grange over sands
A lovely ride to the elegant Edwardian resort of Grange over Sands with its curving Promenade and spectacular views over Morecambe Bay. The route returns through the pretty Winster Valley with a grand finale of one of the best views in South Lakeland from the top of Gummers Howe. A more leisurely alternative is via Bowness to catch a lake steamer back to Lakeside and enjoy the view from the water.
Cycle Route and Map Information
Newby Bridge and Cartmel Loop
The fortunes of High Newton have changed dramatically since the opening of the bypass: now the village is no longer divided by a very busy road and there are many attractive stone houses, a good pub and a fine café at the architectural salvage centre at Yew Tree Barn.
Duration: 2-4hrs
Miles: 13
Cycle Route and Map Information
Cycle Routes around Hawkshead
Hawkshead to Brathay
This route explores the area north of Hawkshead, using quiet lanes and a cycle path beside the Hawkshead to Ambleside road.
Cycle Route and Map Information
Hawshead to Claife Heights
Ride on a traffic free route by Windermere lake shore. Climb through the trees to emerge on Claife Heights, with grand views of the Coniston fells and pass the delightfully-named.
Cycle Route and Map Information
Hawkshead to Cunsey
Explore some of the quiet valleys of the South Lakeland, ride alongside Esthwaite Water and climb out of the valley for grand views of the high fells. Descend to Dale Park past wild flower meadows and into the quiet Rusland valley.
Cycle Routes around Ambleside
Tour of Loughrigg Fell
The fells just west of Ambleside are gentler than the higher fells and offer a good introduction to those new to the Lake District. This circular mountain bike tour takes in the pretty mix of lakes, woodland fells and lanes that surround the base of Loughrigg Fell.
Cycle Route and Map Information
Tour of Coniston and Hawkshead
The triangle of fells between Ambleside, Coniston and Hawkshead is the perfect venue for this sort of cycle tour. Each of the villages are packed with cafes, pubs and restaurants to enjoy, and in between the woods , dales lakes and rivers provide a delightful and ever changing landscape to explore. This ride has some off road riding and a few climbs.
Cycle Route and Map Information
Hawkshead and Grizedale Forest Park
Grizedale Forest Park is a popular destination for mountain bikers with miles of off road routes, the area is criss-crossed by lots of quite lanes perfect for hybrid and road bikes. This ride reaches Grizedale by making a loop around the low fells that surround Knipe Fold and Outgate, then onwards to Hawkshead. From Hawkshead it does a complete loop of the eastern portion of Grizedale Forest before returning via Wray Castle on the shore of Lake.
Cycle Route and Map Information
Walks in Coniston
Please note these walks are provided by Walk Lakes and for a copy of the walk they ask for a £1 donation (less than a pint of local ale).
Coniston Old Man
A short, but interesting linear walk with lots of industrial archaeology. Starting off above the village of Coniston with views out to Coniston Water and beyond, it climbs through old quarry workings, perhaps a stop at Low Water for a breather before the last section to the summit. You could carry on and do a longer circuit by dropping down to the Walna Scar road via Goats Water, but there's a danger you'll hurry and not explore.
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Tarn Hows
This walk starts in the lovely village of Coniston by the lake of the same name, and is particularly suited to anyone staying there. Tarn Hows is a very well-known Lake District visitor attraction.
Tarn Hows, Black Fell, Holme Fell
This is a wonderful walk of fells, tarns, waterfalls and even an old quarry now used as a climbing venue. Starting at the convenient parking place and picturesque Tarn Hows it follows the banks of the tarn for a while before branching off to Black Fell where there are splendid views to all points of the compass. Following bridleways and footpaths, it crosses the Ambleside to Coniston road to head past the quarry at Hodge Close before climbing Holme Fell. From there you pass the delightful Yew Tree Tarn to cross the Coniston road once more. Climbing up beside Tom Gill through woodland you come across a 30 foot tall waterfall. This is the outfall of Tarn Hows which you return to just a little further on.
Carron Crag
This walk takes you to the highest point in the Grizedale Forest and starts at the Grizedale Visitor Centre. It follows the Forestry Commission's marker posts making navigation straight forward.
Dow Crag and Goats Water
An easy circular walk taking in the Brown Pike, Buck Pike, Dow Crag ridge from THE car park at the end of the Walna Scar road. Although overlooked by the taller 'Old Man' the ridge gives fantastic views down into The Cove, Goats Water, and north to the unmistakable profile of the Scafells round to Bowfell and the Crinkles. On a clear day Morecambe Bay can be seen over the southern tip Coniston Water.
Cumbria Way- Coniston to Dungeon Ghyll
This is usually the second section of the Cumbria Way. A pleasant variety of fields, woods, lakes, waterfalls, and the anticipation of seeing the dramatic Langdale Pikes gives it a typical Lake District feel.
Walks in Ambleside and Langdale
Please note these walks are provided by Walk
Lakes and for a copy of the walk they ask for a £1 donation (less than a pint of local ale).
Elterwater
A gentle circular walk along the banks of the Great Langdale Beck to Oak Howe and back along the track below the crags and quarries on the flank of Lingmore Fell.
Blea Tarn, Langdale
Blea Tarn lies high above Great Langdale on the pass to Wryness. Only Blea Tarn House a few hundred metres away is near enough to keep it company. On the cold and wet winter's day it feels more remote than it really is.
Great Carrs and Grey Frair
The summit of Great Carrs sits perched on the precipitous edge of the ridge sweeping around the head of the Greenburn valley above Langdale Tarn. The highest point of the ridge is Swirl How, with Westerlam further round.
By Bus
Mountain Goat
Mountain Goat operates “The Cross Lakes Experience” daily throughout the summer from Bowness-on-Windermere. A connecting ferry service allows visitors to cross to the western shore of Windermere to join the mini coach service and travel onward to visit Hill Top (the house of Beatrix Potter in the hamlet of Near Sawrey), the beautiful village of Hawkshead with its delightful church, Wordsworth’s Grammar School and the Beatrix Potter Gallery.
For more details on Mountain Goat visit www.mountain-goat.co.uk
Bus Service in Cumbria
Using a bus when you visit the Lake District gives you the opportunity to see so much more. Take the top deck of an open top bus or brave one of our passes on a small rambler service. Our interactive map plots the bus routes in the county showing their service number, the route they will take and what you can see along the way, so why not give it a go.
Timetables for Bus routes around Cumbria
Bluebird Tours
Based in Coniston, we provide an informative, personal tour service for visitors to Coniston and the surrounding area. Leave your car behind and enjoy being taken around our beautiful Lake District, usinga form of transport that is environmentally friendly.
*Bluebird can also provide a shuttle bus service from the Coppermines Mountain Cottages forweddings.
T: 07814 728 390
By Boat
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Coniston Launch
Coniston Launch provides a ferry service to 7 jetties, including Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin; discounted house entry tickets are available on board.
For details and prices visit www.conistonlaunch.co.uk
Windermere Ferry
Carrying passengers and vehicles, can carry up to 18 vehicles between Ferry Nab, Bowness and Ferry House, Far Sawrey (Daily)
Windermere Lake Cruises
Explore the beauty of England's largest lake in the heart of the Lake District. Join us on the water for the most scenic views of the Lakeland fells.
Lake Cruises Timetables and Prices
Ullswater Steamers
Ullswater 'Steamers' is an award winning environmentally accredited Lake District attraction celebrating over 150 years of operating cruises on England's most beautiful lake. We operate one of the largest heritage passenger fleets in the world offering visitors an experience they will never forget.
For more information visit www.ullswatersteamers.co.uk
By Train
Lakeside and Haverthwaite (walking distance from the cottage)
Since 1869 this unique train/boat connection has provided the most spectacular of gateways to the Lake District. At Haverthwaite they have a well-stocked engine shed, where there own engineers work tirelessly and proudly alongside a team of dedicated volunteers to restore and maintain our rolling stock, tours can be arranged with prior notice.
For more information visit www.lakesiderailway.co.uk
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park, across the estuary, through the hills, past seven request stops with a 1:40 gradient at times, en route to our final destination some seven miles up the line to Dalegarth for Boot Station. The journey itself was one of Wainwright’s favourites, crossing seven miles of spectacular scenery to the foot of England’s highest mountains, the Scafell Range (3,209ft) at their peak.
For more information visit www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk