Summary
From KENDAL LEISURE CENTRE to STAVELEY and up the valley to KENTMERE, returning via STAVELEY and BURNESIDE22 miles (35 km) 650' climb (200 m) The extension adds 3 miles (5 km) and 430' (131 m) climb.
Grade – easy (extension a bit harder) OS 97 Kendal and small part of OS 90 (Penrith, Keswick, Ambleside)
A reasonably flat ride to popular Staveley, and then a nice valley ride up to Kentmere. The optional 3 mile (5 km) extension further up the valley is a bit hilly. Start - Kendal Leisure Centre, Burton Rd, Kendal, LA9 7HX
Map
To view elevation details please use this link and select "Elevation Graph" from the top left hand side corner of the map.
http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=475876
http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=475876
Description
From the back of Kendal Leisure Centre go left on the shared pedestrian/ bike path for a mile (2 km), crossing over a road half way along. This is National Cycle Network 6.At the end of the shared path follow the NCN 6 signs to and through a small park diagonally on your left (take care – pedestrians and blind bends), back on yourself for 50 yds/m on a public road, then right and immediately right on a shared path to follow the river through a larger park.
The path is short, and by the food kiosk go right on the public road (Castle St, church on your right) and in 100 yds/m turn left onto the one-way street just after the Castle pub.
At the junction in 100 yds/m dismount and go right on the pavement to cross the road via the pedestrian lights to join the A6, getting back on the bike and passing under the railway bridge.
Follow the A6 for ¾ mile (1+ km) and turn left into Gillthwaiterigg Lane (Road Closed to Vehicles 130 yards ahead sign), through the barriers and straight over the nearby road (same Road Closed sign). Rejoin the road, pass Lakeland Plastics on your left and in a few minutes go left (unsigned) on the Burneside road.
In another ¾ mile (1+ km) bear right (effectively straight on) down an unsigned lane – this is 20 yds/m after a road on the right to Longsleddale and where the Burneside road turns left 90 degrees.
At the T junction in ½ mile (1 km) go right and follow the undulating road and signs to Staveley.
In Staveley turn right after having crossed the bridge by the weir and head for Kentmere up the valley. This is roughly 4 miles (7 km) from the weir. Nearing Kentmere bear right up to Green Quarter (signed), where the Maggs Howe teashop may or may not be open, and from there continue down the steep and twisting descent to Kentmere village itself. From here the ride continues back to Staveley (but see option below).
There is however an optional extension here to go a little further up the valley. This adds 3 miles total (5 km) but is steep in places. To do this, go right, up to Kentmere church and beyond to pass through a gate marked “Public road to Hartrigg”. After a short hill the road flattens for nice views of the valley. Hartrigg (as far as you can legally cycle up the valley) is reached in a few minutes, where you simply turn around and go back to Kentmere village and continue back to Staveley.
In Staveley go left at the main road. This is now NCN 6, which is followed all the way back to the Leisure Centre. The NCN passes through Staveley, and briefly becomes a cycleway alongside the main road just after the railway level crossing.
At the end turn left (6/ Cowan Head/ Bowston/ Burneside) onto the road and follow it through Bowston and Burneside, and up a short hill into Kendal.
NCN 6 soon goes left into Dockwray Hall road (250 yds/m past the railway bridge) and becomes a cycleway alongside the river. Cross a busy road, past a school, again by the river and go left over the nearby bridge and then cross the road at the zebra crossing, and push to the nearby food kiosk where you came out. A sign says “This way to 6”, but it may be confusing.
Now simply retrace your outward steps back to the Leisure Centre, following the 6 signs through the parks and onto the cycleway, by the refuse recycling centre, to soon arrive back at the start.
Now simply retrace your outward steps back to the Leisure Centre, following the 6 signs through the parks and onto the cycleway, by the refuse recycling centre, to soon arrive back at the start.
