Summary
A hilly ride from KENDAL
LEISURE CENTRE (KLC) to NATLAND, HELM, up past
FISHER TARN to KILN HEAD, east to BECK FOOT and HOWGILL, then north to
LOW BORROWBRIDGE, up the A685 to near GRAYRIGG, and back via KILN HEAD and
FISHER TARN.
29 miles (47 km) 2,580 climb (786 m) grade – strenuous OS 97 (Kendal) and tiny part of 91
(Appleby)
A ride of ups and downs, with a
flatter central bit in the lee of the Howgills. There are no refreshments along
the way, unless you do the 1 ½ mile (2 km) and 275' (85 m) climb to Tebay.
Start – KLC, Burton Rd, LA97HX
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=468080
http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=468080
Description
From Kendal Leisure Centre go left on the main road for 100 yds/m, and there join the cycleway ( National Cycle Network 6), which crosses the road (right)from the left footpath via the central reservation. Take the steep drop and bike through the woods on the old canal bed to the road by Clarks Distribution Centre warehouse. If wet the path could be muddy, in which case from the Leisure Centre go left and immediately right onto Rinkfield, turning left at the end and soon meeting the canal path exit by Clarks.Proceed to nearby Natland, where turn left by the shop (Oxenholme/ Railway sign), right at the green and left at the church. You have now joined NCN 70, whose signs you follow for 15 miles (24 km) A short steep climb takes you to the A65, which you cross (70) for a gradual climb past The Helm to the Station Inn, again going straight over (70).
The gradual climb continues for a mile (2 -km), and at the main road hairpin go right and immediately left (70 signs), biking on to a crossroads, where go right (70/ Sedbergh) up a steeper hill. In a mile + (2 km) you come to a white bungalow where turn left (70) and on to another left turn (70) after dropping down past a farm.
300 yds/m down this steep hill bear right (taking care, visibility poor) – 70/ Lambrigg sign. Carry on to the T at Kiln Head, going right (70) and up again to pass over the M6, then turning left at the T (70/ Beckfoot). This is c 10 miles (16 km) from the start.
Now comes a sharp drop down to Beckfoot (take care), where turn right and immediately left (70) to pass under the old railway viaduct. Quickly you come to the narrow bridge over the Lune and a sharp ascent (do not take the Riddings turn half way along) up to the crossroads at the road running north – south along the foot of the Howgills.
Take the left to ride along this Roman Road, the unfenced part having spectacular views of the Lune and hills. After 4 miles (7 km) you arrive at and go left at the main A685 Kendal – Tebay road. This is 17 miles (27 km) from the start. Here you leave 70, which heads right.
The climb up the main road (looking down on the M6 and the Lune valley) is lengthy ( 1 ¾ miles, 3 km) but apart from the final section is not overly steep. 2 miles (3+ km) from the summit take the left turn (Unsuitable for HGVs the only sign) for a short ½ mile (1 km) climb up to a big stone barn, where turn right (unsigned and easy to miss).
This little lane undulates and in a few minutes comes to a scissor crossroads, where go straight ahead (house names Moorfold/ Thatchmoor Head only). At the nearby T go left and immediately right at the Kiln Head T to rejoin your outward route.
Retrace your steps now for 2 + miles (3 + km), following the 70 signs – undulating, then down and short steep up and straight on by the T (70/New Hutton sign) and soon right (70) up past the farm and down to the white bungalow by the main road.
Turn right on the lane (70) and in a few minutes start the drop you biked up earlier. Continue on at the nearby crossroads (70 goes left) for a steep fast descent into Kendal. At the main road, go left and take the 1st right in 350 yds/m (Castle Green Rd, by a bus shelter) and follow this winding road to the next T.
Here go right, under the railway bridge and past the cricket ground, arriving in 1/2 mile+ (1 km) at NCN 6 which crosses the road, you going left to arrive back at the Leisure Centre in a couple of minutes
Now comes a sharp drop down to Beckfoot (take care), where turn right and immediately left (70) to pass under the old railway viaduct. Quickly you come to the narrow bridge over the Lune and a sharp ascent (do not take the Riddings turn half way along) up to the crossroads at the road running north – south along the foot of the Howgills.
Take the left to ride along this Roman Road, the unfenced part having spectacular views of the Lune and hills. After 4 miles (7 km) you arrive at and go left at the main A685 Kendal – Tebay road. This is 17 miles (27 km) from the start. Here you leave 70, which heads right.
The climb up the main road (looking down on the M6 and the Lune valley) is lengthy ( 1 ¾ miles, 3 km) but apart from the final section is not overly steep. 2 miles (3+ km) from the summit take the left turn (Unsuitable for HGVs the only sign) for a short ½ mile (1 km) climb up to a big stone barn, where turn right (unsigned and easy to miss).
This little lane undulates and in a few minutes comes to a scissor crossroads, where go straight ahead (house names Moorfold/ Thatchmoor Head only). At the nearby T go left and immediately right at the Kiln Head T to rejoin your outward route.
Retrace your steps now for 2 + miles (3 + km), following the 70 signs – undulating, then down and short steep up and straight on by the T (70/New Hutton sign) and soon right (70) up past the farm and down to the white bungalow by the main road.
Turn right on the lane (70) and in a few minutes start the drop you biked up earlier. Continue on at the nearby crossroads (70 goes left) for a steep fast descent into Kendal. At the main road, go left and take the 1st right in 350 yds/m (Castle Green Rd, by a bus shelter) and follow this winding road to the next T.
Here go right, under the railway bridge and past the cricket ground, arriving in 1/2 mile+ (1 km) at NCN 6 which crosses the road, you going left to arrive back at the Leisure Centre in a couple of minutes
