Mountain Biking Collection by Katherine Moore
Lakeland 300 — Bikepacking in the hills of the Lake District
5 days
4-5 h/day
299km
6,390m
6,370m
If you’ve got legs like Chris, who placed second in the gruelling Highland Trail 550 in 2017, then you might want to tackle this challenging route in as little time as possible. If you do want to race against the clock to find out what you're capable of as an ITT (Individual Time Trial), the time to beat is an eye-watering 21 hours and 37 minutes. Alternatively you can take your time to tour the route, which we’ve divided up here into five stages for you to ride at your own pace.
The value of local knowledge is more than evident as you ride the Lakeland 300, as these are the routemaker’s regular training trails. From Lake District mountain biking classics like Loughrigg Terrace, Walna Scar Road, Garburn Pass and Skelghyll Wood to lesser known sections, you’ll be blown away by the variety and scale of the landscapes along the route.
Although there are some roads, quiet lanes and gravel tracks, a mountain bike is best for the Lakeland 300. There are a number of sections that have really challenging terrain, like the famous Lonscale Crags, Walna Scar Road and Parkamoor. Besides the technical terrain, there are also some really steep inclines, so mountain bike gearing is a real plus, especially if you’re carrying the extra weight of overnight gear. There will most likely be some hike-a-bike too, so either mountain bike shoes or flats are a good idea.
Officially, the loop starts and ends in Cockermouth in the west, though it may be easier to join in the east if you’re travelling by train, as the nearest stations are in Penrith and Carlisle, which are both on the West Coast main Line. From Penrith train station to the route near Pooley Bridge is a short 5.2 mile (8.4 km) ride. If you’re travelling to the start by car, you can find long stay parking close to the town centre in Cockermouth.
There are a number of options for overnight stays along the route, and it’s always worth booking ahead in the more popular summer season. Choose from campsites, youth hostels, inns, hotels and guesthouses, depending on what degree of luxury you fancy!
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The Lakeland 300
297km
6,680m
6,680m
Last updated: November 27, 2024
Do it yourself!
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Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full route below as a template.
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Activities
50.1km
04:17
970m
940m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
57.6km
05:57
1,760m
1,690m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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67.7km
05:17
1,210m
1,270m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
55.0km
05:07
1,390m
1,430m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
68.6km
05:13
1,070m
1,050m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Collection Stats
Activities
5
Distance
299 km
Duration
25:51 h
Elevation
6,390 m
6,370 m
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