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    Home > Bikes > Mountain Biking > Routes > Lake District

    Skiddaw Lakeland Mountain bike route

    Mar 29, 2020 by Ian Carruthers | This post may contain affiliate links.

    Skiddaw

    Overlooking Keswick, Bassenthwaite Lake (the only 'Lake' in the Lake District) and Derwentwater Skiddaw is the 6th highest mountain in England. Skiddaw lies on the other side of the Derwent valley from the Whinlatter trail centre.

    The ride has two parts, one along the eastern side of Skiddaw which follows the Cumbrian way. The other is road on the Western side of the mountain which is unfortunately all road, and the A591 at that. There isn't an off road route round the western side of the Mountain, there is however a tea shop (The Old Saw Mill) at Dodd wood, this is one of the options to start / finish the ride the others being from Keswick, or Bassenthwaite village.

    For me the best way round the mountain is to start with the road and then climb up and over the Back o' Skidda. Unless you are starting out from Keswick in which case you'd start with the mountain and follow the road back.

    The route over the mountain takes the Cumbrian way up to Skiddaw house from Latirgg car park (this is the point you'll join if starting from Keswick). The climb upto Skiddaw house is rocky but not mega technical, it is fairly exposed as you climb along the valley. The single track continues all the way up to Skiddaw house at which point you can choose to split off and ride round Blencathra. From this point onwards it's fairly open double track, with some fairly rapid sections all the way down to Tod Gill. Crossing the valley for the last part of the descent contouring the valley side whilst it drops steeply away below.

    The views on the eastern side are of the valleys surround Skiddaw, whilst the route back along the road has view of Bassenthwaite lake. A nice ride more along the lines of a cross country route rather than a more technical enduro ride. There isn't a ride I've done in the lake district that doesn't' have cracking views and this ride again adds to that.

    Skiddaw MTB Route

    Distance25km
    Time2-3hrs
    Climbing500m
    Starting LocationBassenthwaite / Dodd wood / Keswick
    Pubs, Cafes The Old Saw Mill
    Parking Bassenthwaite / Dodd wood / Keswick
    RouteView route on Komoot
    View route on Garmin
    Download GPX

    The Lake District offers a great number of rides, from trail centres to moorland and mountains. Why not make a weekend or even a week long trip and explore what the Lake District has to offer.

    More Lake District Mountain Biking

    • Lakeland Mountain bike route
      Southern Lakeland Tour
    • Whinlatter trail Centre
      Whinlatter Trail Centre, Lake District
    • Loughrigg terrace
      Loughrigg, the Langdales and Elterwater, Lake district mountain bike route
    • Loweswater loop, Lake District mountain bike route
      Loweswater loop, Lake district mountain bike route

    About MTB Foodie

    MTB Foodie is a UK mountain biking blog covering routes, maintenance, travel and food. Ian can be found chasing awesome trails and thrills around the South West and beyond.

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    I’m Ian aka MTB Foodie… have bike, will ride! Found chasing awesome trails and thrills around the South West. Addicted to mud, gravel and hills, with a healthy balance of travel and food.

    Hit me up with any questions, enquiries or new trails to ride at: blog [AT] mtbfoodie.com

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    I’m Ian aka MTB Foodie… have bike, will ride! Found chasing awesome trails and thrills around the South West. Addicted to mud, gravel and hills, with a healthy balance of travel and food.

    Hit me up with any questions, enquiries or new trails to ride at: blog [AT] mtbfoodie.com

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