Summary
Out past the STATION INN, then through OLD HUTTON, past THE TURBINES and down past HEIGHTS to SEDBERGH, returning via KILLINGTON, EWEBANK and BORRANS.27 miles (43 km) 1740' climb (530 m) grade – moderate overall, 1 big climb
A straightforward out and back route to Sedbergh, with a steady but generally not steep climb from Kendal out to Old Hutton, but with a testing climb out of Killington on the return.
OS 97 (Kendal)
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=692385
Description
From the front of the Leisure Centre go left on the short shared path, before joining the main road and staying in the left hand lane to the lights. Fork left at the lights, following the Station/ Oxenholme sign. It becomes quite steep by the station and beyond, although after the Station Inn it then drops and undulates.In a mile + (2 km) Old Hutton/ Middleshaw is reached. Here turn right (unsigned) into Popplemire Lane for 1+ miles (2 km), again turning left unsigned at the end by Holmescales Farm to climb up to the crossroads at the top end of Old Hutton.
Go straight over the crossroads (sign Killington/ Sedbergh) to soon pass over the M6. Carry straight on for c 2+ miles (4 km), not taking any left turns, and soon pass huge wind turbines on your right, and go straight on at a very distinct T junction (Sedbergh sign).
The road soon drops after Heights Farm on your left, becoming very steep, long and narrow in 500 yds/m after a small crossroads.
Once more or less on the valley floor the route heads north for 2+ miles (4 km). Halfway along is the turn up to Killington village (the return route). From this point the route to Sedbergh and the return are the same.
At the road end turn right at the big T to immediately cross the River Lune, and quickly after turn left into an unsigned narrow lane (easy to miss) which runs alongside a beck, bearing right halfway along. This short lane soon arrives at the main A683 Sedbergh – Kirkby Lonsdale road.
From here the route simply runs to Sedbergh, with its many facilities (inc wc).
The return follows the outward section for the first few miles.
Leaving Sedbergh retrace your wheels, bearing left onto the A683 (Kirkby Lonsdale/ Lancaster).
In a mile + (2 km) turn right into the small easily missed unsigned lane to follow the lane alongside the beck, turning right onto the main road at the end.
If missed, simply continue and take soon (right) the B6256. The beckside lane soon comes in on the right.
The route almost immediately crosses over the River Lune and immediately goes left (Killington/ Old Hutton).
The road continues parallel to the Lune, and in a mile (1 ½ km) the route takes the Killington turn for the start of the homeward climb.
Killington lies in a dip, with a short drop in, followed by a short 150 yd/m 20% very steep climb out before easing and the narrow lane then finishing with a 1/3 mile (c ½ km) further climb and short drop to the road near Three Mile House.
Here the route goes right, and in 200 yds/m goes quickly left (unsigned) onto an open lane.
Some farms are passed and at the lane end in 1 + mile (2 km) the route goes left (unsigned) and in 100 yds/m quickly right (small sign for blue Bendrigg Lodge road going straight ahead) up to and then crossing the M6 motorway bridge.
It drops down (rough surface) to Ewebank (don't take the left turn here) and in 100 yds/m beyond goes left at the T, and down through Millholme to the Borrans T junction.
Here it goes left, and in 150 yds/m right (unsigned) up and down (poor surface) a short steep bit, at the bottom going left onto an unsigned gently undulating lane.
At the end T turn left and continue to the main road T at the end of Beehive Lane. Here go right, now joining the outward route, and simply follow this all the way back to the Leisure Centre.
