Ride Information
START/FINISH: Car park, Buttermere, CA13 9UZ, 54.540696, -3.277531
DISTANCE: 17.4 miles/28.0km
ASCENT: 3011ft/918m
OFF-ROAD: 90%
TERRAIN: A mix of wide, stony lakeside trails and challenging hillside tracks, which are boggy, stony and highly technical. Two arduous climbs and tricky descents are punctuated by flat lakeside paths.
NAVIGATION: Difficult through the high passes. The bridleways along Buttermere, Crummock Water and Ennerdale Water are well signed, as are the turnings up through Gale Fell and Scarth Gap Pass. However don’t veer left up Scale Beck or right up Mosedale on the way through Gale Fell; GPS support will make sure you stay on track through both passes.
The Fish Inn, Buttermere, Cumbria CX13 9XA, 01768 770253, www.fishinnbuttermere.co.uk The Bridge Hotel, Buttermere, Cumbria CX13 9UZ, 01768 770252, www.bridge-hotel.com Croft House Farm Cafe, Buttermere, Cumbria CA13 9XA, 01768 770235, www.crofthousefarmcafe.co.ukEat & Drink
The Fox & Hounds, Ennerdale Bridge, Cumbria CA23 3AR, 01946 861373, www.foxandhoundsinn.orgSleep
Syke Farm Campsite, Buttermere Village, Cumbria CA13 9XA, 01768 770222
Bivvy: Bowness Knott, Ennerdale WaterProvisions
Whinlatter Bikes, 82 Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DX, 01768 773940, www.whinlatterbikes.com