| 1. This is one of my absolute favourites and it can be squeezed in during a one hour lunch break if you get changed quick!
Leave Ambleside on the A591 and head to Clappersgate on the A593.
After Clappergate turn left, off the A593 and onto the B5286, and go over Brathay bridge, alongside Brathay Dub. Follow the B5286 towards Hawkshead, take a left, signposted Wray, and then just follow your nose with a few downhills and cheeky climbs, past Wray Castle (shortly to become a 5* hotel). and then a couple more miles of great ascents and descents until you arrive at Colthouse. Follows signs to Hawkshead and go onto the B5285. Follow this through Hawkshead and then take left turn before the bridge signposted Coniston and Hawkshead Hill, staying on the B5285. Make sure you have your legs on for this climb. When you reach the summit at High Cross (don’t be tempted to cheat and bear right at a sign for hill top, the sign is lying you are only half way to the top at this point!). Stay on the B5285 and at the crossroads turn right following signs to Barngates. Go through Hawkshead Hill and stay on the road for Barngates, past the Drunken Duck. You have not earned the right to a pint so continue straight on until you get to the B5286 junction. Turn left and retrace your route back to Ambleside. No more than 12 miles but an excellent little route, with probably some of the best 360 views of any ride. I often use it as a little lunch or tea time training run. |