Cottage for Lake District MTB trails

[Samcat]

Four of us are looking to have a weekend mountain biking in the Lake District in June, We thought renting a cottage to use as a base would be a good idea, but we're not too sure where. Has anybody ever done the same and would like to recommend somewhere?

[porka944s]

I'm interested in the answer to this, ive often wanted to go ride the trails there.

[MTY4000]

Recommended bases, for all round trail riding:

Coniston
Keswick
Staverly / Kentmere

• Coniston and Keswick each have a trail centre near by to mix in with the natural stuff. Keswick is near to Winlatter, Consiton to Griezedal - great natural loops including the Walna Scar Road (Coniston) or circuits of Blencathra and Skiddaw (Keswick) + the decent off Skiddaw is good fun, at the cost of a bit of pushing / carry to get to the top!
• Steverly / Kentmere is more remote, but has access to some truely classic rides.
• don't need to be in the towns themselves - easy to use valley roads to link rides

For epic 'hike-a-biking' - Glenridding (Ulswater). Some classics round here - e.g. loops inclusing High Street and Helvellyn ridges .. but pushing / carrying is required here so not to all tastes.

[anniesdad]

Not sure where to rent, but speak to Cheeky John at Wheelbase in Staveley. He knows the area like the back of his hand and would surely point you in the right direction for trails and accomo. Nice lad.

As for wallna scar.....well it's an epic climb, proper lung buster.....but the descent.....!!

[anonymous-user]

ambleside is as good as many places as there are a few good pubs in the area.

[Camoradi]

these two places are right next to the Whinlatter north loop. I've had a few holidays there and recommend them

http://www.croftlands-cottages.co.uk/


http://www.forestry.gov.uk/alturatrail

edited to add link to Whinlatter Forest Altura Trail

Edited by Camoradi on Thursday 13th January 17:41

[ewenm]

Depends if you want to ride the bridleways or head for one of the trail centres. I'd chose the bridleways personally as it's more exploratory for me than pre-determined purpose-built trails. Get an OS map, talk to Biketreks (Ambleside), Keswick MTBs (Keswick) or the big place in Staveley who's name escapes me for some decent routes.

Couple of cottage booking websites:
http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/
http://www.coppermines.co.uk/

Edit: Favourite/Interesting Lakes non-trail centre routes:
Short ride but big climb and descent - Garburn Pass from Kentmere side.
Bad weather - Loughrigg (nr Ambleside) or High Close (Hawkshead/Coniston) or west side of Windermere.
Big mountain day: Helvellyn (very tough) or High Street.

Edited by ewenm on Thursday 13th January 19:06

[Roman]

Camoradi said:

these two places are right next to the Whinlatter north loop. I've had a few holidays there and recommend them

http://www.croftlands-cottages.co.uk/


http://www.forestry.gov.uk/alturatrail

edited to add link to Whinlatter Forest Altura Trail

Edited by Camoradi on Thursday 13th January 17:41

Convenient for the trails at Setmurthy and 4Play cycles in Cockermouth too.