Lakeland Fringes

About

A ride through the southern fringes of the Lake District from Staveley, with its cafes, galleries and craft studios. The route uses the traffic-free National Cycle Network Route 6 to Windermere and returns through quiet lanes winding between rocky knolls and small valleys. Spectacular views of the Lakeland fells to the north and to the Howgills to the southeast make this a ride to remember.
A train journey from Staveley to Windermere can be incorporated in the ride, so that the scenic ride to the south of the A591 can be enjoyed as a shorter route; a short cut provides further variation in distance. Note that access to the station platform at Staveley involves carrying cycles up a flight of steps.

Start/finish: Staveley Mill Yard (car parking available, with additional on-street parking in village).

Distance: Staveley - Windermere - Staveley: 10 miles (16 km). Staveley return via shortcut: 7 miles (11 km).
Windermere Station to Staveley: 6.5 miles (10 km).

Grade: Short - hard. All on-road except stone surfaced track from edge of Windermere to B5284 -1.2 miles (1.9 km). Some steep descents with junctions and bends at bottom which require caution.

Refreshments Pubs: Staveley, Ings, Windermere Cafés: Staveley, Windermere.