15. At the top stay on the obvious trail
ahead for a fast, rocky and fun track that
generally bears right around the hill and
eventually comes out at a junction with a
lane at the bottom (GR359985). Turn left
on the lane and follow it as it winds down
hill, past a couple of lanes on either side,
until is ends at a junction with the main
road (GR355981). Turn right and go
over the bridge, then at the next junction
This mountain bike route of
23.5miles starts from
Hawkshead in the southern
Lake District. It begins by
following the North Face
Trail before leaving
Grizedale Forest for lots of
natural rocky riding, which
includes the Parkamoor
descent and Claife Heights.
1. Start from the car park in
Hawkshead (GR353981).
Head out of the car park
away from the buildings to
the main road. At the main
road turn left to skirt around
the edge of the village. Go
past the first lane on the left
and follow the main road
round a left hand bend. At
the following junction where
the main road turns right
(GR352983) turn 90deg left
into Hawkshead. Follow the
23.5miles starts from
Hawkshead in the southern
Lake District. It begins by
following the North Face
Trail before leaving
Grizedale Forest for lots of
natural rocky riding, which
includes the Parkamoor
descent and Claife Heights.
1. Start from the car park in
Hawkshead (GR353981).
Head out of the car park
away from the buildings to
the main road. At the main
road turn left to skirt around
the edge of the village. Go
past the first lane on the left
and follow the main road
round a left hand bend. At
the following junction where
the main road turns right
(GR352983) turn 90deg left
into Hawkshead. Follow the
lane to the start of the pedestrian zone then turn right. Go straight on through the arch way in the building ahead.
Climb out of the village and up to a junction by a B&B on the left. Go straight on to climb the rocky track ahead and
keep the steam on the left. At the gate some distance later follow the BW up the steep, rocky section of trail straight
ahead. The track then goes left through a water splash then right where it climbs to a junction with a fire track
(GR343977).
Climb out of the village and up to a junction by a B&B on the left. Go straight on to climb the rocky track ahead and
keep the steam on the left. At the gate some distance later follow the BW up the steep, rocky section of trail straight
ahead. The track then goes left through a water splash then right where it climbs to a junction with a fire track
(GR343977).
2. Turn left and climb the fire track and start
following the arrows for the North Face Trail.
After the fire track goes through a right hand
bend turn left halfway up the long straight for the
first bit of manmade singletrack. At the end of
this track go straight across the three-way fire
track junction. At the next junction turn right then
almost immediately left for the next bit of North
Face singletrack. At the end of this trail keep
following the North Face Trail arrows right then
left along the fire track. Eventually turn left for
following the arrows for the North Face Trail.
After the fire track goes through a right hand
bend turn left halfway up the long straight for the
first bit of manmade singletrack. At the end of
this track go straight across the three-way fire
track junction. At the next junction turn right then
almost immediately left for the next bit of North
Face singletrack. At the end of this trail keep
following the North Face Trail arrows right then
left along the fire track. Eventually turn left for
the next bit of singletrack that descends to the Grizedale visitor centre (GR335944).
3. At the centre turn left then right over the bridge. Go through the wall and around the
right hand side the adventure play ground to the lane after the wall on the opposite side.
3. At the centre turn left then right over the bridge. Go through the wall and around the
right hand side the adventure play ground to the lane after the wall on the opposite side.
Follow the North Face Trail right on the lane then left through a gate to climb the wide hardpack track into the forest. At
the next junction turn right then a short distance later turn left to climb the 'Elephants Paradise' singletrack. At the end
of 'Elephants Paradise' follow the North Face Trail left along a wide forest track then straight across a crossroad
junction to the next section of singletrack, 'The Great Escape', on the left. At the end of this singletrack rejoin the forest
track and go straight on to the crossroads (GR323935).
4. Leave the North Face Trail and go straight on to climb the rocky double track. After negotiating some tricky rock
sections the track flattens off and rejoins the fire track. Go straight on to the junction just ahead then turn left and
descend to a triangular junction (GR318930). Go past the first track on the right then straight across the following
crossroad. There are then two choices, either straight on up the fire track or right on a muddy double track BW. If it
has been wet go straight on up the firetrack to the next crossroad then turn right to follow the BW to a gate at the edge
of the forest. After the gate follow the rocky double track as it undulates through a number of puddles across High
the next junction turn right then a short distance later turn left to climb the 'Elephants Paradise' singletrack. At the end
of 'Elephants Paradise' follow the North Face Trail left along a wide forest track then straight across a crossroad
junction to the next section of singletrack, 'The Great Escape', on the left. At the end of this singletrack rejoin the forest
track and go straight on to the crossroads (GR323935).
4. Leave the North Face Trail and go straight on to climb the rocky double track. After negotiating some tricky rock
sections the track flattens off and rejoins the fire track. Go straight on to the junction just ahead then turn left and
descend to a triangular junction (GR318930). Go past the first track on the right then straight across the following
crossroad. There are then two choices, either straight on up the fire track or right on a muddy double track BW. If it
has been wet go straight on up the firetrack to the next crossroad then turn right to follow the BW to a gate at the edge
of the forest. After the gate follow the rocky double track as it undulates through a number of puddles across High
Parkamoor. The BW alternative rejoins this trail halfway down on the right
(GR312925). The BW option is muddy and boggy with deep ruts that fill with
water, only use it if it has been dry for some time.
5. Follow the double track as it bears left over the top of the hill, with great
views across Coniston Water, then descend to a junction with a track on the
right. Go straight on along the double track as it undulates across the side of
the fell. After a while the track points down hill for a fantastic, rocky descent.
It's very technical in places with drops, loose boulders, tight corners, water and
the opportunity for quite a bit of speed. The descent ends at a gate in High
Nibthwaite (GR294897).
(GR312925). The BW option is muddy and boggy with deep ruts that fill with
water, only use it if it has been dry for some time.
5. Follow the double track as it bears left over the top of the hill, with great
views across Coniston Water, then descend to a junction with a track on the
right. Go straight on along the double track as it undulates across the side of
the fell. After a while the track points down hill for a fantastic, rocky descent.
It's very technical in places with drops, loose boulders, tight corners, water and
the opportunity for quite a bit of speed. The descent ends at a gate in High
Nibthwaite (GR294897).
6. After the gate go straight on to a junction with
a lane. Turn left and follow the lane along the
bottom of the valley. Go past a lane on the right
then at the following junction (GR296881), at
Nibthwaite Grange, turn left. Climb this steep
lane though a number of bends to a junction with
a forest track on the left, at the top. Continue
along the lane to a junction at the end of the
tarmac a little further on (GR305888).
7. Go straight on along the double track,
a lane. Turn left and follow the lane along the
bottom of the valley. Go past a lane on the right
then at the following junction (GR296881), at
Nibthwaite Grange, turn left. Climb this steep
lane though a number of bends to a junction with
a forest track on the left, at the top. Continue
along the lane to a junction at the end of the
tarmac a little further on (GR305888).
7. Go straight on along the double track,
keeping the trees on the left, to a gate a little further on. After the gate bear right and
follow the signposted BW. There are usually some long, deep puddles on this section of
track. After a short descent climb through a gate and continue straight up the rocky
double track, past the grassy BW signed off to the right. At the top of this short climb the
follow the signposted BW. There are usually some long, deep puddles on this section of
track. After a short descent climb through a gate and continue straight up the rocky
double track, past the grassy BW signed off to the right. At the top of this short climb the
track flattens off for a while before it heads down hill for another fun, rocky descent that ends at a gated junction with a
lane (GR323894).
8. Turn left and descend the lane until it ends at a junction. Turn left again and follow this lane all the way to village of
Force Mills at the bottom. Go right then left over the bridge and climb past the waterfall on the left. Go past a track on
the right to a junction where the lane turns left (GR341911). Go straight on at this junction then past a car park and
lane (GR323894).
8. Turn left and descend the lane until it ends at a junction. Turn left again and follow this lane all the way to village of
Force Mills at the bottom. Go right then left over the bridge and climb past the waterfall on the left. Go past a track on
the right to a junction where the lane turns left (GR341911). Go straight on at this junction then past a car park and
picnic area in the trees on the left, before descending to
the next junction (GR345913). At this junction turn left on
the wide forest track into the trees. Climb through a tight
left then right hand bend, ignoring any of the tracks off to
the side. Continue climbing up the wide track to the
four-way junction at the top (GR344918). Go straight
ahead on the singletrack leading into the trees. This
reaches the top of the climb a short distance later before
going over a rocky drop that marks the start of the loose
and rocky descent to Satterthwaite. At the junction at the
bottom go straight on around the left hand side of the
house, and follow the lane straight on into the village.
9. Bear left at the church then turn right at the junction. A
short distance later, where the main road bears left take
the next junction (GR345913). At this junction turn left on
the wide forest track into the trees. Climb through a tight
left then right hand bend, ignoring any of the tracks off to
the side. Continue climbing up the wide track to the
four-way junction at the top (GR344918). Go straight
ahead on the singletrack leading into the trees. This
reaches the top of the climb a short distance later before
going over a rocky drop that marks the start of the loose
and rocky descent to Satterthwaite. At the junction at the
bottom go straight on around the left hand side of the
house, and follow the lane straight on into the village.
9. Bear left at the church then turn right at the junction. A
short distance later, where the main road bears left take
the thin lane on the right to go straight on between the houses. A short distance later at
the next junction (GR338924) turn right and climb the steep lane past the private drive
on the left. The lane then bears left and climbs to a junction at a house at the edge of
the forest (GR339926). Take the first track on the right for a steep, rocky climb into the
trees. About 1/4 of the way up bear right to cross a stream then follow the track left
around a big section of exposed bed rock for a straight, loose and rocky climb to a
junction at the top (GR345929).
10. At the junction go straight across and head along the singletrack that undulates
along the line of the hill and bears left. The track soon heads downhill for another
fantastic descent. The trail drops over some rocks and comes to a junction with a forest
track (GR349932). Go straight across this junction and down some more rocks to head
into the trees. What follows is a great section of rocky and rooty woodland singletrack
before some tight, loose and rocky bends that lead to the junction with the lane at the
bottom (GR354937).
the next junction (GR338924) turn right and climb the steep lane past the private drive
on the left. The lane then bears left and climbs to a junction at a house at the edge of
the forest (GR339926). Take the first track on the right for a steep, rocky climb into the
trees. About 1/4 of the way up bear right to cross a stream then follow the track left
around a big section of exposed bed rock for a straight, loose and rocky climb to a
junction at the top (GR345929).
10. At the junction go straight across and head along the singletrack that undulates
along the line of the hill and bears left. The track soon heads downhill for another
fantastic descent. The trail drops over some rocks and comes to a junction with a forest
track (GR349932). Go straight across this junction and down some more rocks to head
into the trees. What follows is a great section of rocky and rooty woodland singletrack
before some tight, loose and rocky bends that lead to the junction with the lane at the
bottom (GR354937).
11. Turn left on the lane and climb to a BW signposted off
to the right halfway up, where the climb flattens off slightly
(GR355939). Turn right down this BW and descend to a
stream crossing. Climb right from the stream on a steep,
rocky track, tackling a few technical sections on the way
up. Go straight across the junction with the fire track near
the top to continue along the singletrack. At the top bear
left down a fast hard pack track that soon becomes a
loose and rocky track with a couple of technical sections
on the way down.
12. At the lane at the bottom turn left. Follow the lane to
the next junction (GR362952), just before Esthwaite
Water, and turn right. Climb to the next junction and bear
left towards to the village of Near Sawrey. Bear right at the next junction, on the edge of the village, and climb to the
junction at the end of the lane. Turn right and ride through the village to a junction with a lane on the left just before
the last house on the left (GR370956).
13. Turn left and climb past the farm on the left to where the tarmac gives way to a gravel track. Follow this track uphill
and straight on through the next farm buildings. At the next junction bear left (GR373961). Go straight on at the next
junction and continue climbing. At a junction with a gated, private track bear right and climb the double track to Moss
Eccles Tarn. After the tarn climb the rocky double track past some tracks on the right then descend towards the next
tarns. The track then bears right around a small tarn on the right and climbs up a section of steep grass towards the
trees. At the top follow the trail along a wall on the left to a gate at the trees (GR373977).
14. Go straight on through the gate and follow the wide forest track. After the track bears right it descends to a forked
junction where the main forest track bears right downhill and a BW is signposted bearing left down a loose rocky track.
Follow the BW left down the loose, rocky track to a crossroad a short distance later. Turn left to follow the signposted
BW in the direction of Hawkshead. Descend the wide forest track straight on to a tight right hand bend at the bottom
before climbing to the next junction (GR375986). Turn left to follow the signpost to Hawkshead and climb the rocky
track a short way to the top of the hill. Stay on this track and go straight on past the footpath on the right .
junction at the end of the lane. Turn right and ride through the village to a junction with a lane on the left just before
the last house on the left (GR370956).
13. Turn left and climb past the farm on the left to where the tarmac gives way to a gravel track. Follow this track uphill
and straight on through the next farm buildings. At the next junction bear left (GR373961). Go straight on at the next
junction and continue climbing. At a junction with a gated, private track bear right and climb the double track to Moss
Eccles Tarn. After the tarn climb the rocky double track past some tracks on the right then descend towards the next
tarns. The track then bears right around a small tarn on the right and climbs up a section of steep grass towards the
trees. At the top follow the trail along a wall on the left to a gate at the trees (GR373977).
14. Go straight on through the gate and follow the wide forest track. After the track bears right it descends to a forked
junction where the main forest track bears right downhill and a BW is signposted bearing left down a loose rocky track.
Follow the BW left down the loose, rocky track to a crossroad a short distance later. Turn left to follow the signposted
BW in the direction of Hawkshead. Descend the wide forest track straight on to a tight right hand bend at the bottom
before climbing to the next junction (GR375986). Turn left to follow the signpost to Hawkshead and climb the rocky
track a short way to the top of the hill. Stay on this track and go straight on past the footpath on the right .
turn right again. Follow the road for a short distance to the next junction and turn
left to return to the car park and complete the ride.
This route crosses and can be combined with other routes from my site :
left to return to the car park and complete the ride.
This route crosses and can be combined with other routes from my site :
| www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |
|
Grizedale - Parkamoor
More pictures and a description of a ride I took on this route can be found in the Gallery:
Flattyres 'BIG' Ride Feb '10
Lake District Shop Ride Weekender '08
More pictures and a description of a ride I took on this route can be found in the Gallery:
Flattyres 'BIG' Ride Feb '10
Lake District Shop Ride Weekender '08