Best Western star rating

Cycle Route 2- Troutbeck and Jenkin Crag

Troutbeck and Ambleside are linked by an old bridleway that traverses the southern flanks of Wansfell. The high level route makes a superb mountain bike route and is an ideal introduction to mountain biking in the Lake District. In can be accessed from Ambleside by using the A591 (cycle lane) and Holbeck Lane an forms a short loop easily done in a part day or an evening. Terrain Main road, narrow lanes and rocky bridleways

Area Kendal and the Southern Lakes
Grade Hard
Category Mountain Biking
Location Ambleside
Distance 6.8 miles/10.88 Km
Time 1 - 2 hours
Maps OS Landranger 90
OS Explorer OL7
Harveys' Superwalker (1:25 000) Lakeland Central
Start & End Ambleside
Map Ref: SD 375045
Parking Ambleside Pay & Display
Toilets Ambleside Pay & Display
Places to eat Lucys on a plate, Log House, Sheila's Cottage, Regent Hotel, Waterhead Hotel, Wateredge Inn, Apple Pie Eating House, Glass House
Tourist Information Ambleside TIC, Central Buildings, Market Cross, Ambleside Tel 015394 32582
Map 3_31290.jpg

Full Details 1.Work your way round the one-way system and head S out of Ambleside on the A591 towards Windermere (making use of the roadside cycle lane). 200m after the Low Wood Hotel is a lane on the L this is Holbeck Lane. Turn onto it and follow it as it climbs NE then E and passes round the top of Briery Close. After a steep climb it eases then turns NE and finally makes a short descent to join Bridge Lane at Town End. Turn L onto Bridge Lane and follow it N for 450m to a junction by the Post Office.

2. The track on the L is Robin Lane; this is the start of the off-road part of the ride. The first bit of Robin Lane is a climb, follow it SW then W, after 600m the gradient eases and it turns NW to a junction. Take the L fork and make the pleasant descent to a beck, cross the beck, make the short climb on the other side then make another descent to Hol Beck. Continue W up hill to High Skelghyll.

3. High Skelghyll marks the start of the best bit of the route, it's a long descent W then NW through Skelghyll Woods down to Old lake Road. It can get quite fast so watch out for walkers, horses and other mountain bikers as it's a popular bit of bridleway. The rocky bits near Stencher Beck can be tricky as you come onto them without warning. Once on the Old Lake Road follow it N to the A591 then work your way round the one-way system back to the Centre of Ambleside.