Lakes route. Any suggestions to improve?

[Blackhound]

I know The Lakes a little bit and trying to put in a multi-day route, but there are also bits I don't know so well.

I have written it in 5 sections for my convenience, hope it is more 2-3 day depending on weather etc:

* Its 143km
* Current plan is to start from Penrith but may change to Ambleside.
* Not quite a loop as I have a Lake District NP Memory-Map and Penrith is out of the NP. Will sort this out
* I know there are one or two small gaps at the end of each section.
* After a *nice* route, I am not a riding God and will be loaded.

* Best route over High Street? I have not done this but know the final bit from Troutbeck.
* Nicest route out of Ambleside? Could go more towards Claife Heights, know both this sections slightly.
* Best way into Seathwaite? Wondered about continuing to Broughton Moor forest before heading NW / N.
* After Wasdale - is Buttermere via Black Sail nicer than heading to Styhead / Seathwaite?
* Anything else?

Hopefully these gpx tracks will work:
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=339711
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=339715
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=339717
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=339718
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=339713
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=339714

[Anthony]

Looks like a fantastic trip.

Re Wasdale, on the C2C last year I went up the Blacksail from Ennerdale, through Wasdale and then over to Rossett Pike via Sty Head.

With the choice of either I would say Blacksail.

Going up to Styhead from Wasdale the path splits into 3 IIRC, I took the middle one (the left one has just been featured in Country Walking as one of the steepest paths in the Lakes!) which appeared to be the most defined. I can honestly say in hindsight I'm not sure I would want to do it again alone, especially with a fully laden bike. The sheer drops, very very steep rocky track and trying to wrestle a 40lb+ bike up onto rocks sometimes 4-5' high to follow, scrambling up yourself is hard work. It was one of the most rewarding sections of the 200+mile trip but it was nerve wracking, especially being so isolated. It took nearly 4 hours of carrying from Wasdale to Langdale (Rossett Pike was also largely un-rideable as a descent). I was quite fortunate that the weather was kind, as I had never been before and had no GPS.

Blacksail on the other hand has a gradual well surfaced path to the top all the way from Wasdale, then a very steep grassy/rocky descent (probably too steep to ride if wet) that is actually quite short (30mins at most to push up from Ennerdale side). The route then onto Buttermere I don't know, similarly the section from Styhead to Seathwaite I also haven't ridden.

[Blackhound]

Anthony, thanks for the input. Hoping for a good weather window over Black Sail!

[Anthony]

To be honest, The Black Sail is fine. From Wasdale the path is very well defined and quite well surfaced. The grassy drop to Ennerdale Water is more vague, but from the peak you descend so it's difficult to go wrong. I bivvied at the bottom on the Wasdale side, it was an absolutely stunning spot. As the sun set it lit the crest towards Sty Head/Scafell bright red.

Here in fact-


When I get 5 I'll see if there are any other sections I know.

[Anthony]

To confirm, that's looking from the Wasdale side looking up towards The Black Sail although I'm pretty sure it's out of shot to the right.

I remember it well, after arriving at 7.30pm I decided it a good place to stop overnight leaving the ascent to Sty-Head for early the next morning. I sat and ate dinner, soaked up the surroundings and generally got my head together after a hectic day of trains and having the first pass (TBS) under the belt. Having seen no one all evening, at about 10pm I'm stood stripped naked as the day I was born, ready to get into my night wear. Just as a couple of trail runners came past

[Blackhound]

Looks a great spot. I am toying with the idea of adding on a bit of a loop somewhere to take it up to 100 miles but 90 miles out there would be a nice ride over a couple of days. Thanks again for your help.

[Chew]

Been thinking about a trip like this myself. Possibly over easter if the weathers looking good. The issue with the Lakes is being able to ride the bike (loaded) rather than have to carry it. I've carried over Black Sail pass before and pushed a fair amount down the other side. so wanting to avoid that.

Anticlockwise seems the way to go.
Windermere > Troutbeck > Highstreet > around Ullswater to Glenridding (maybe take the ferry) > coach road over to Threlkeld > around Skiddaw to Bassenthwaite > Whinlatter forest to Derwent Water > Rosthwaite > Wasdale head > Eskdale to Boot > bit of Road to pick up Walna Scar Road > Conniston > Grisdale forest > ferry over Lake Windermere > Windermere

about 120 miles in total an i still need to work out if its possible to get from Rosthwaite to Wasdale head.