Kendal Leisure Centre – Oxenholme – Old Hutton – Holmescales - Gatebeck – Halfpenny – Stainton – Crosscrake – near Barrows Green – Kendal
12+ miles (20 km) 770' climb (235m)
Map
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http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=655153
Description
From the front of the Leisure Centre go left on the short shared path, then take the 1st road left (Heron Hill), immediately right and right again at the end, then go left through the lights. This short detour avoids the busy A65 lights. Follow the road up to the station and steeply up to the Station Inn and beyond.
In a mile or so Old Hutton/ Middleshaw is reached, and the ride here goes right (unsigned) onto Popplemire Lane, which gradually rises to Holmescales Farm.
Going right (unsigned) leads on a gently descending lane to Gatebeck, where at the large crossroads the ride goes right (sign Kendal/ M6) to cross the bridge, then gently rising and soon turning right into Low Park.
This undulating lane leads through Halfpenny to the busy A65 main road. Here cross over diagonally left to the pleasant lane down to Stainton (signed).
In about a mile there is a small civic area – parish noticeboard, tree and bench. Here cross the beck by the narrow footbridge, and take (left) the small lane, soon going right at a slightly larger lane. (Note – the footbridge and small lane are not shown on Google maps, so they are here diagrammatic, perfectly obvious on the ground.)
Soon after passing the school you arrive at small crossroads, where cross straight over, taking care, (Natland/ Kendal and blue bike signs) up a short sharp hill, then after a short down and gentle up come to a fork. Here there is a choice.
Bear left (NCN sign) to drop down to the main road, here going right and returning through Natland to Kendal.
Or turn right to reach the Barrows Green Punch Bowl pub by dropping down (limited visibility, take care) to the pub. The return route is simply back to the aforementioned fork, then as below – down to Natland and on to Kendal.
