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Cycle Route 3- Windermere and Crook

The towns of Windermere and Bowness back onto a lovely little group of fells that extend east towards Staveley and Crook. None of the summits have a particularly memorable shape and only a few exceed the 250m contour. Regardless of their modest proportions, they are still probably the most viewed summits in the Lake District. This is due entirely to their proximity to the A591 which forms their northern boundary and carries most traffic into and out of the National Park. Amongst these fells are numerous hamlets and villages which are interlinked by lanes and bridleways. Some of the lanes have been adopted as roads but many still retain their original form as green lanes. Most of the route described is clear on the ground and is well signposted, but there are a number of sections through enclosed farmland - if you are unsure about the course of a right of way cross check against your map (it is worth having the larger scale 1:25 000 map with you for this purpose). Terrain Low wooded fells, roads, minor roads, green lanes, tracks and pasture.

Area Kendal and the Southern Lakes
Grade Easy
Category Road Cycling
Location Windermere
Distance 14.0 miles/22.4 Km
Time 3 - 4 hours
Maps OS Landranger 90
OS Explorer OL7
Start & End Windermere Railway Station
Map Ref: SD413987
Parking Broad Street Pay & Display, Windermere
Toilets Broad Street, Windermere
Tourist Information Windermere TIC, Victoria Street, Windermere Tel 015394 46499
map 4_69271.jpg

Full Details 1. From Windermere railway station join the A591 (cycle lane) and follow it E for 2km to a turning on the R. Turn R onto the narrow road and follow it S over the railway bridge past Blackmoss to a fork. Take the R branch and Continue S to a bend. Follow the road round the bend to a junction. Turn R and follow the road SE to a T junction. At the junction turn L and follow the road for 350m to Borwick Fold.

2. At Borwick Fold join the bridleway and follow it around the short lane and then S as it climbs across pasture. After 600m, the bridleway forks. Take the L branch and follow it as it swings round to the E and descends to join a minor road. Turn R onto the road and follow it SE for 2.4km to Crook.

3. At Crook turn R onto the B5284 then first L onto Dobby Lane, which is followed SW to a T junction. Turn L and follow the road S for 400m to a track on the R. Join the track and follow it SW a short distance to a fork.
Take the R branch W alongside a wall to a T junction on a farm track. Turn L and follow the track SW across pasture (vague) to a bridge after 400m. Go over the bridge and continue SW along the side of the field to join the farm track at the other side. Continue SW along the side of the field to join the farm track at the other side. Continue SW along the track through the dog-leg to the farm at Birk Moss. Follow the bridleway around the farm then SW over a short rise to a T junction. Turn L onto the good track and descend S along it to join the Crosthwaite road.

4. At the road turn R and follow it NW for 600m to a bridleway on the L.
Take the bridleway and follow it past Crook Foot then N to Thornyfields. At Thornyfields turn L in front of the houses then join the bridleway behind the barn. The bridleway climbs SW to a low col. Follow it over the col and continue SW to join the A5074.

5. Turn R onto the A5074 and follow it NW to Winster. At Winster turn R in front of the pub and follow the minor road as it climbs to a T junction.
Turn R at the junction and follow it as it climbs NE for 2km to a lane on the L. Join the lane and follow it as it climbs W. The gradient soon eases to give a good run down to a junction with Lindeth Lane. Turn R onto Lindeth Lane and follow it as it winds its way N for 2km to the junction on the B5284.

6. Turn R and follow the B5284 E for 1.1km to a lane on the L - by the side of a tarn. Follow the lane then bridleway N for 2km to a bridge. Cross the bridge and then head NW through the Droomer housing estate - there are numerous routes which lead into Windermere. Once in Windermere follow the one-way system back to the railway station.