Whether you’re looking for an adventure, a great family day out, or world-class scenery, Cumbria and the Lake District are the perfect destinations to ride a bike. Here are some of our favourite cycle routes in Cumbria and the Lakes using the National Cycle Network.
Ride from Kendal to Lake Windermere on the National Cycle Network.
1. Low Furness Ride
Starting in Ulverston, this ride is just over 12 miles and a great way to discover the beauty of Cumbria's landscape, taking you through the rich pastureland of Low Furness. The route also passes the remains of 12th-century Furness Abbey before entering the maritime town of Barrow-in-Furness.
2. Riding North to the Lake District
This 22-mile route takes you from Lancaster to Kendal through attractive canal-side villages with panoramic views across Morecambe Bay.
3. Burgh by Sands to Solway Coast
24 miles of beautiful saltmarsh and farmland that arrives at fantastic beaches which have been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The loop starts out along the Hadrian’s Wall Path and takes you out to the Cardurnock peninsula. At Bowness-on-Solway there is Campfield Marsh, an RSPB nature reserve with 360-degree views of the Solway Plain.
Beautiful Derwent Water by Keswick.
4. Keswick to Threlkeld
A fantastic 3-mile family-friendly ride that takes you from the picturesque town of Keswick through some of the Lake District's loveliest scenery along a traffic-free route. You arrive at the village of Threlkeld in the shadow of the Blencathra Mountain.
5. Kendal to Grange-over-Sands
Taking you from Kendal, the 'Gateway to the Lake District', this 15-mile route in Cumbria travels to the Edwardian seaside resort of Grange-over-Sands, with views across to the Arndale and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
6. Ride to Windermere
A great 11.5-mile cycle ride that takes you from Kendal, through Cumbria's most beautiful scenery, before arriving at Windermere, the largest natural lake in England. A must for anyone visiting the region.
The Solway Coastline on National Route 72.
7. Workington to Cockermouth
This 12-mile ride includes lovely views of the River Derwent and a lovely off-road stretch towards the end of the route that begins at pretty Camerton. You finish at Workington Harbour. The route also takes you past Wordsworth House and Garden, the birthplace of romantic poet William and his sister Dorothy.
8. Penrith to Appleby in Westmorland
This section of National Route 71 takes on a 15-mile tour between two historic market towns - Penrith and Appleby in Westmorland, in the beautiful Eden Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass Great Strickland and the Strickland Arms, who are very bike-friendly.
