[joemmo]

hello

we are off to the Lakes for a few days in May staying near Ambleside and I’d like to take my 8yo daughter on a bike ride while we are there. Does anyone have suggestions for relatively gentle, car free cycle paths we could try? I see there is a route along the west shore of Windermere but its unclear from maps and web info if this is completely traffic-less or just a minor road or a mix. Any other options?

cheers for any advice

Joe

Topic

[Beefy]

+ 1 for grizedale it has
+ 1 for grizedale it has family friendly cycle paths which are quite flat and not MTB routes, easily suitable for kids.

[joemmo]

thanks for all your replies
thanks for all your replies folks. The Windermere west shore / Wray castle path sounds the best option, I didn’t know Grizedale had some easier routes but I’m not sure she’s ready for that just yet – might save Grizedale for a bit of MTBing by myself.

[jayme]

There is a cycle path along
There is a cycle path along the west side of the lake which I have done many a time with the family. The best thing for me is the bike boat from Wray castle.
http://www.golakes.co.uk/travel/by-bike.aspx

[pirnie]

Grizedale Forest (just south
Grizedale Forest (just south of Hawkshead) would be your best bet IMO, assuming you’re able to go off road. There’s a large variety of cycle trails, mostly on fire roads that would be suitable and it’s entirely off road so traffic free.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/MTBz-foldinteriorp1(A3).pdf/$FILE/MTBz-foldinteriorp1(A3).pdf

The route posted above is mostly a cycle path that runs parallel to the road, on the other side of a dry stone wall from what I have seen, or on minor back roads too (although I just tend to use the main road on my road bike so I can’t guarantee I’m right about that) The path is fairly new which is why you may not remember it.

I hope this helps

[MattT53]

Yes there are some cycle
Yes there are some cycle paths to Wray Castle (relatively new), which you can link up with a lovely mix of off-road and v quiet roads to the Windermere Ferry. You can then either ride back or get the Ferry over to Bowness and then get the bus back to Ambleside (roads to ride this are not great, http://www.golakes.co.uk/travel/New-Bike-Bus.aspx)

Alternatively, Grizedale forest isn’t too far away for off-road easy gravel tracks

[geekinthesticks]

There are some nice traffic
There are some nice traffic free tracks at Keswick (ye,s I know it’s at the other end of the Lakes).

[joemmo]

thanks David, a bit more
thanks David, a bit more digging found this:
http://www.golakes.co.uk/travel/WindermereWestShore.aspx

sounds just about suitable. Wray castle is a nice spot to visit but I didn’t remember the cycle track leading to it.

[Anonymous]

Hi Joe
I’ve been looking for
Hi Joe

I’ve been looking for similar and found this:

http://www.countrylaneslakedistrict.co.uk/cycle_hire_routes.htm

Hope this helps.

[Author]

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