Summary
A STRAIGHTFORWARD TRIANGULAR RIDE EAST OF SEDBERGH TO THE MALLERSTANG VALLEY, THEN NORTH UP TO KIRKBY STEPHEN AND SOUTH-WEST BACK TO SEDBERGH.IT IS VERY SCENIC, BUT ALSO QUITE EXPOSED TO WEATHER.
REFRESHMENTS/ WC MAYBE NOT AVAILABLE FOR 20+ MILES (32 KM).
KIRKBY STEPHEN CAN BE BYPASSED FOR A SLIGHTLY SHORTER RIDE.
36 miles (58 km) 1870' climb (567 m)
30 miles (48 km) if use Tommy Rd shorter alternative, 1705' climb (520 m)
grade - undulates quite a bit, but moderate overall
Start Sedbergh Joss Lane car park GR 659 923
OS 91 Kendal (tiny part) 98 (Wensleydale) 91 (Appleby)
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=629223
Description
Leave Sedbergh (wc, shops, cafes, pubs) along the one-way street to join (left) the main road, then quickly turn right off it on the A684 Garsdale/ Hawes road. This is followed for the next nine miles (15 km).Farfield Mill (crafts, museum, cafe) is passed within the first few minutes, and soon the valley opens out, the road undulating a bit. It passes through Garsdale and on to the left turn into Mallerstang Valley, 10 miles (16 km) from the start.
The Moorcock Inn here may or may not be open (check first) – if not it means continuing to Kirkby Stephen at 20+ miles (32 km) for refreshments. The Settle – Carlisle railway runs along Mallerstang, so on summer weekends a steam train may be seen here if lucky.
For the ride, the undulations continue for the next 2 ½ miles (4 km) to Aisgill, with fine views on the ensuing descent to Outghill and then Pendragon Castle.
Turning left at Pendragon Castle (and so not going to Kirkby Stephen) onto the “Tommy Road” shortens the ride by 6 miles (10 km) and decreases the climb by 165' (47 m). The Tommy Road becomes open moorland, with a long climb up, and then a short descent to the A683, where the Kirkby Stephen alternative route is joined. The Fat Lamb pub a mile + (2 km) further on provides refreshments if need be (20 miles/ 32 km from the start).
Otherwise continue through Nateby to Kirkby Stephen. Just before Kirkby Stephen is a small Northern Viaduct Trust car park on the left, from where a shared path drops down to the impressive Millenium Bridge over the equally impressive River Lune, rejoining the road just beyond. At the lights go right, into the town centre (all necessary facilities).
On the return leg retrace your steps by going left at the lights, and then in c ½ mile (1 km) turn right into Station Rd to join the main road at the end. This avoids the awkward uphill and busy main road from the centre.
At the main road, go left, cross the bridge and immediately straight on up the rising shared path (sign shared path to station), where the main road swings right. This new path soon then turns right at the top (signed), going down and then up to Kirkby Stephen station on the Settle to Carlisle railway. There are no facilities here.
The main road is now joined, slightly uphill, then in ½ mile (1 km) bear left at the A683 Sedbergh turn. Follow the road for 4 miles (7 km), passing Tommy Road on the left and then the Fat Lamb on the right.
A mile (2- km) after the Fat Lamb bear left off the main road to Fell End for a scenic flat section, before a steep drop back to the main road, and returning on this gradually descending road to Sedbergh, passing the Cautley Spout path and Cross Keys Inn en route.
In Sedbergh either push the bike along the one-way street you came out on or continue to the mini roundabout, there going right and right again back to the start.
