Lake District Drive

[Allyc85]

I'm heading up to the Lake District in a couple weeks, and was wondering if anyone could offer any advice on this route I found on Google.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=z-_W6J3HJ...

Cheers

Edited by Allyc85 on Wednesday 30th March 18:55

[bomma220]

I've driven the part from Mungrisdale to Windermere in a Saab 9-5 Aero, a challenging but very rewarding stretch of road. What vehicle will you be using?

[ewenm]

Interesting that it doesn't take The Struggle straight out of Ambleside to Kirkstone.

The Lakes roads are narrow and often busy so just take care! Lots of other traffic, cyclists, pedestrians, wildlife and livestock.

[AdiT]

ewenm said:

Interesting that it doesn't take The Struggle straight out of Ambleside to Kirkstone.

Thats what I thought. I'm not sure which direction I'd prefer to do that route either.

Some very narrow and twisty bits so hope it's not a big barge your driving or it might spoil your fun.

[Allyc85]

I will be in a Mk5 Golf Gti, so ideal for twisty A/B roads, and I'm fully prepared for the traffic/wildlife! I should have time to add in the Struggle Straight, as I'm based in Grizedale for 3 nights

[steve51800]

http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/floods2015/roadclosures....

May be of use after the floods in winter.

[bomma220]

Allyc85 said:

I will be in a Mk5 Golf Gti, so ideal for twisty A/B roads, and I'm fully prepared for the traffic/wildlife! I should have time to add in the Struggle Straight, as I'm based in Grizedale for 3 nights

I hope you have a great time there, lovely part of the world... not sure of the exact location of this, but have a look:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMwMJMrdvoE

[Red Devil]

Allyc85 said:

I'm heading up to the Lake District in a couple weeks, and was wondering if anyone could offer any advice on this route I found on Google.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=z-_W6J3HJ...

Cheers

All good stuff. A nice mix of A & B roads plus some narrow and challenging unclassifieds.
Takes in all the major passes plus Newlands which is often overlooked.

My favourite section is Boot to Skelwith Bridge. One of the slowest but the scenery is magnificent.
Looking west back down Eskdale - https://goo.gl/maps/eDmkiJYhjRF2
East down Little Langdale - https://goo.gl/maps/jwpW1J6dpLq

bomma220 said:

.. not sure of the exact location of this, but have a look:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMwMJMrdvoE

Forestry Commission tracks here - https://goo.gl/maps/gUUbZV4JtdQ2
Moor Top entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/9d9CFZeTLDv
High Cross entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/2Vo3x9dwb6S2

[bomma220]

Red Devil said:

Forestry Commission tracks here - https://goo.gl/maps/gUUbZV4JtdQ2
Moor Top entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/9d9CFZeTLDv
High Cross entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/2Vo3x9dwb6S2

That's great, Cheers Red Devil !

[SmilerFTM]

Haha, don't know where you got that but that's my route. I completely stole it off a cycling website as the mad buggers try to do all those passes in one day

Edited by SmilerFTM on Thursday 31st March 17:19

[SmilerFTM]

Oh and when I did it I should've done the pass straight from Ambleside instead of heading into Windermere as that route is planned out. I was going to update it for my next run but I've been busy in other parts of the UK and Europe and not been back.

[Allyc85]

I was just putting different searches into google and it came up. Cheers for making the route, made planning so much easier!

bomma220 said:

I hope you have a great time there, lovely part of the world... not sure of the exact location of this, but have a look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMwMJMrdvoE

Cheers! I nearly ended up going to Wales for about the 100th time, it'll be great to explore somewhere new!

steve51800 said:

http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/floods2015/roadclosures....

May be of use after the floods in winter.

Ta

Red Devil said:

All good stuff. A nice mix of A & B roads plus some narrow and challenging unclassifieds.
Takes in all the major passes plus Newlands which is often overlooked.

My favourite section is Boot to Skelwith Bridge. One of the slowest but the scenery is magnificent.
Looking west back down Eskdale - https://goo.gl/maps/eDmkiJYhjRF2
East down Little Langdale - https://goo.gl/maps/jwpW1J6dpLq


Forestry Commission tracks here - https://goo.gl/maps/gUUbZV4JtdQ2
Moor Top entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/9d9CFZeTLDv
High Cross entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/2Vo3x9dwb6S2

Those views look incredible!

[Allyc85]

Btw this is my slight detour home, hopefully there won't be any fog on Buttertubs like last time I was there. Could barely see 20 yards!

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/54.3127643,-3.01...

[Red Devil]

bomma220 said:

Red Devil said:

Forestry Commission tracks here - https://goo.gl/maps/gUUbZV4JtdQ2
Moor Top entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/9d9CFZeTLDv
High Cross entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/2Vo3x9dwb6S2

That's great, Cheers Red Devil !

I spent many hours freezing my nuts off there (and elsewhere) over the years spectating on the Lombard RAC Rally.
The days when it was a real endurance event covering anything between 1600 and 2200 miles.
Plus of course the later era with the insane Group B machines - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzvyr2oAHEs

Allyc85 said:

Red Devil said:

All good stuff. A nice mix of A & B roads plus some narrow and challenging unclassifieds.
Takes in all the major passes plus Newlands which is often overlooked.

My favourite section is Boot to Skelwith Bridge. One of the slowest but the scenery is magnificent.
Looking west back down Eskdale - https://goo.gl/maps/eDmkiJYhjRF2
East down Little Langdale - https://goo.gl/maps/jwpW1J6dpLq


Forestry Commission tracks here - https://goo.gl/maps/gUUbZV4JtdQ2
Moor Top entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/9d9CFZeTLDv
High Cross entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/2Vo3x9dwb6S2

Those views look incredible!

I vividly remember my first visit (travelling from east to west).
At one point it was so steep all I could see through the windscreen was sky!
Somewhat unnerving if you're unprepared for it.

The real challenge is doing it when black ice forms on the hairpin bends.
That can be quite a handful!

[thegraveltrap]

really need to get out and drive that route (lakes loops) looks a brilliant run, done 100 miles around derbyshire dales last bank holiday monday it was a great run out...

[giveitfish]

Doesn't quite fit in with your loop, but I think the Birker Fell road is worth a visit after the Wrynose/Hardknott passes. it's not as spectacular but it's a great driving road

https://youtu.be/VSQZ7UJozfk

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/54.3801575,-3.31...

[Allyc85]

That looks good. The lakes loop isn't massively long so I'll add it in

thegraveltrap said:

really need to get out and drive that route (lakes loops) looks a brilliant run, done 100 miles around derbyshire dales last bank holiday monday it was a great run out...

You certainly have the perfect motor for it!

[richvwr]

I did Carlisle to Keswick and got stuck behind 20 plus classic tractors 15 mph all the way there, on the bright side the road home was a clear run

[SmilerFTM]

Found some pics from the loop when I did it in my previous 5

[thegraveltrap]

Allyc85 said:

You certainly have the perfect motor for it!

HAD - iv just moved it on last week, was an awesome motor but its time to try the arch enemy out :P