Summary
Distance 23 miles (37 km) Climb 1,950' (595m) Grade - not too long, but climbs are hardOS 97 (Kendal) and 90 (Penrith, Keswick, Ambleside)
Exploring some roads and hills between (Lake) Windermere and Coniston Water via Tarn Hows and High Cross, with several stopping places. The first 14 miles, over to Coniston and back up to High Cross contain several steep ascents, with a much gentler finish.
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=775688
http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=775688
Description
The ferry runs across Windermere lake from south of Bowness (Ferry Nab, off the A592 Newby Bridge road, Grid 395 598, postcode LA23 3JN) every 20 minutes in each direction, and costs £2 single. It operates in all reasonable cycling hours. Half – price books of 20 tickets are available from Cumbria County Council.
Having crossed on the ferry simply follow the road, soon up a steep ½ mile climb to Far Sawrey and then through to nearby Near Sawrey (home to Beatrix Potter Hill Top).
In Near Sawrey take the left turn (sign Lakeside) to drop down, then in a ¼ mile taking the left fork onto a minor and unsigned lane. In a few minutes the lane arrives at the Newby Bridge – Hawkshead road, by a house, and the route goes right (unsigned), past Esthwaite Water to Hawkshead village.
If not visiting the village, turn left (Hawkshead/ Coniston/ Ambleside) at the big T, to skirt the village, then in a half mile or so (1 km) turning left onto the Hawkshead Hill/ Coniston road.
This next short 200 yds/m section is awkward, with a narrow rising road, S bend, and traffic. In 200 yds/m bear right onto an unsigned lane (width restriction sign only) – with traffic behind and poor visibility of oncoming traffic, so take great care!
The lane is quiet, not long, but has 3 short sharp climbs. Then go left at the grassy main road junction, and up another steep climb, following the Tarn Hows/Coniston signs.
Soon after the climb comes the road to Tarn Hows (on the right), and this is followed, again very steep, up to the very scenic Tarn Hows (NT toilets in car park). After the car park the road becomes one-way only, and this takes you on a steep descent to rejoin the Hawkshead – Coniston road, where turn right and on into Coniston for refreshments etc. This is 11 miles (18 km) from the ferry.
Retrace your wheels out of Coniston, in a few minutes turning right at the “East of Lake/ Lowick” road at the lake top. After ½ mile (1 km) take the left Hawkshead turn at the top of a small sharp rise.
Several more steep gradients are on this next stretch, but slacken slightly once the main B5285 road is joined (going right) for the final ½ mile (1 km) up to the “Hawkshead Hill” High Cross summit crossroads. Most of the climbing has now been done.
Here go left (Tarn Hows/ Ambleside by Barngates) and follow this dropping road (including a small part of the outward route) to the Drunken Duck pub at Barngates.
The route takes a right turn here (Hawkshead/ Ferry) and drops to Outgate, where again it goes right, to Hawkshead in another mile + (2 km), there rejoining the outward route to the big T on the village edge.
Going left here (Sawrey/ Windermere via Ferry) simply takes you back on the main road to the ferry, about 4 miles (7 km). The road is flattish, then climbing gently to Near Sawrey and on.
Otherwise go right (Newby Bridge) and retrace the outward route for a couple of miles (3 km), then taking the left turn at Esthwaite Water end (Sawrey/Ferry) to climb to Near Sawrey, there again rejoining the outward route back to the ferry.
Having crossed on the ferry simply follow the road, soon up a steep ½ mile climb to Far Sawrey and then through to nearby Near Sawrey (home to Beatrix Potter Hill Top).
In Near Sawrey take the left turn (sign Lakeside) to drop down, then in a ¼ mile taking the left fork onto a minor and unsigned lane. In a few minutes the lane arrives at the Newby Bridge – Hawkshead road, by a house, and the route goes right (unsigned), past Esthwaite Water to Hawkshead village.
If not visiting the village, turn left (Hawkshead/ Coniston/ Ambleside) at the big T, to skirt the village, then in a half mile or so (1 km) turning left onto the Hawkshead Hill/ Coniston road.
This next short 200 yds/m section is awkward, with a narrow rising road, S bend, and traffic. In 200 yds/m bear right onto an unsigned lane (width restriction sign only) – with traffic behind and poor visibility of oncoming traffic, so take great care!
The lane is quiet, not long, but has 3 short sharp climbs. Then go left at the grassy main road junction, and up another steep climb, following the Tarn Hows/Coniston signs.
Soon after the climb comes the road to Tarn Hows (on the right), and this is followed, again very steep, up to the very scenic Tarn Hows (NT toilets in car park). After the car park the road becomes one-way only, and this takes you on a steep descent to rejoin the Hawkshead – Coniston road, where turn right and on into Coniston for refreshments etc. This is 11 miles (18 km) from the ferry.
Retrace your wheels out of Coniston, in a few minutes turning right at the “East of Lake/ Lowick” road at the lake top. After ½ mile (1 km) take the left Hawkshead turn at the top of a small sharp rise.
Several more steep gradients are on this next stretch, but slacken slightly once the main B5285 road is joined (going right) for the final ½ mile (1 km) up to the “Hawkshead Hill” High Cross summit crossroads. Most of the climbing has now been done.
Here go left (Tarn Hows/ Ambleside by Barngates) and follow this dropping road (including a small part of the outward route) to the Drunken Duck pub at Barngates.
The route takes a right turn here (Hawkshead/ Ferry) and drops to Outgate, where again it goes right, to Hawkshead in another mile + (2 km), there rejoining the outward route to the big T on the village edge.
Going left here (Sawrey/ Windermere via Ferry) simply takes you back on the main road to the ferry, about 4 miles (7 km). The road is flattish, then climbing gently to Near Sawrey and on.
Otherwise go right (Newby Bridge) and retrace the outward route for a couple of miles (3 km), then taking the left turn at Esthwaite Water end (Sawrey/Ferry) to climb to Near Sawrey, there again rejoining the outward route back to the ferry.
