Cycling around Sedbergh

Sedbergh provides an ideal base for cyclists wishing to explore the quiet country lanes

Mountain bike enthusiasts can explore the numerous bridleways and tracks over the fells. Sedbergh has, on its doorstep, one of the best mountain bike rides in the United Kingdom: the ridge route along the top of the Howgills from the Calf south to Arant Haw followed by the descent from Winder to Howgill Lane. This is a very tough undertaking as you are faced with a 1770 ft (540m) climb from Sedbergh via Birkhaw to the top, much of it a steep grassy push. The rewards on a fine day are almost unbelievable.

Maps, Books and Guides

The Sedbergh Tourist Information Centre can supply a range of maps and guidebooks related to cycling in the area. The Tourist Information Centre will be happy to help you with your telephone (015396 20125), postal or email (

Enable JavaScript in your browser to use a clickable 'mailto:' link instead of this image which prevents harvesting for junk mail.

) enquiries and supply any items you require so you can find out about the area before you visit. Payment can be made by credit card.

Cycling around Sedbergh, Dentdale and the Lune Valley

A compact guide to 5 circular rides on quiet roads and country lanes ranging from 14 to 26 miles (23 to 42 Km), all starting and finishing in the centre of Sedbergh.

These are leisurely rides, not the Tour de France, and every climb, whether you ride it or walk it, will be rewarded with a fine downhill section.

Each ride is highlighted on it's own section of Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 scale map (1¼ inch to 1 mile, 2cm to 1Km) and written descriptions of how to follow each route are provided at numbered locations.

Generally the easier rides should be okay for accompanied children aged ten and above.

Harvey maps for cyclists

Cycle Rides in the Yorkshire Dales: Eight rides, two of which are based on Sedbergh, suitable for most cyclists with a reasonable level of confidence and fitness. Most of the roads used are quiet although there are stretches along roads which can be busier especially on summer Sundays. Descriptions of these rides can be seen at http://www.cyclethedales.org.uk/routes/index.asp
Yorkshire Dales for cyclists: A cycle map of the whole Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Scale 1:100,000. Includes details of cycle repair, cycle hire, steep gradients, town plans of Richmond, Hawes, Leyburn, Pateley Bridge, Sedbergh. Kirkby Lonsdale, Ingleton, Settle, Skipton, Grassington.
Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way: The entire cycle route on one sheet. The 130 mile circular route which passes through Dent starts and ends in Skipton, with an alternative start/end in Ilkley. The map includes a route profile. Steep gradients are marked. Enlargements of towns are included. Also includes information on accommodation, cycle shops and cycle hire.
Made in cooperation with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and in consultation with the CTC.

Cycling in the Yorkshire Dales

This guide features 25 cycle tours ranging from short rides for all the family to full-day rides for the more experienced and adventurous cyclist, rounding off with a grand randonée - a grand cycling tour around the Yorkshire Dales.

The book has been devised for those who want trips out on their bicycles along quiet roads and tracks, passing interesting places and convenient refreshment stops without having to devise their own route.

On and off-road routes.
Specially created, easy to follow coloured maps.
Information boxes describing each route.
Routes graded by distance and difficulty.
Stage-by-stage route descriptions.
Gradient diagrams and accumulated mileages,
Information on places of interest and refreshment stops along each route with full colour illustrations.
Each route compiled and ridden by an experienced cyclist for cyclists of all abilities.

Off-road Trails & Quiet Lanes

Cycling in the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

A book of enjoyable bike rides for leisure cyclists, the family rider and the enthusiastic mountain biker. It is for the cyclist who values fun, views and lunch stops over grimaces, effort and aching legs.

Twenty cycle rides from 5 to 23 Km in length (3 to 14 miles) which explore the best traffic-free lanes and off-road trails in two of Britain's most cycle-friendly national parks.

A number of routes stick entirely to quiet roads while others tackle rocky mountain bike trails as they explore hidden valleys and climb to stunning viewpoints. The rides are great fun and challenging for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

Ridden and written by local riders, these rides are clearly described using step by step instructions and feature original maps, route profiles and local area information.

Mountain Biking Eden Valley & North Cumbria

15 mountain bike rides ranging from such well-known favourites as the round Skiddaw route to many little used but equally spectacular outings outside the Lake District. Mallerstang, the Bewcastle fells and the Northern Pennines are all included. Many odd-road sections of the popular C2C and Reivers routes are incorporated.
Detailed route directions cross-referenced with accurate maps plus initial route information at a glance.
Route profiles showing altitude, number of climbs and comprehensive gradient difficulty.
Lots of other information on refreshment stops, train access, factual background, where to find accommodation and more.
Ideal for intermediate and expert riders.

Cycle Hire

Stonetrail Mountain Bike Hire, Street Farm, Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4LL (phone: 0153966 23444)

Stonetrail Mountain Bike Hire are situated at the foot of Wild Boar fell and the Pennine Bridleway midway between Sedbergh and Kirkby Stephen, they have immediate access to some fabulous tracks and trails with routes to suit all abilities. Hire bikes by the day or come and stay in one of Stonetrail's luxury courtyard apartments for a complete cycling holiday.

Cycle Dealers and Repairers

There are no cycle dealers in Sedbergh but a local repair service is available from Justin Kirk who can be contacted on 015396 20213 after 6:00pm on weekdays and any time at weekends.

The nearest cycle dealers are in in Kendal and Kirkby Stephen:

Evans Cycles, 113, Stricklandgate, Kendal, LA9 4RF, phone: 0845 070 5374
Askew Cycles, The Old Brewery, Wildman St, Kendal, LA9 6EN, phone: 01539 728057
Brucies Bike Shop, 9, Kirkland, Kendal, LA9 5AF, phone: 01539 727230
Kirby Stephen Cycle Centre, Unit 1, Station Yard, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4LA, phone: 017683 71658

National Cycle Network routes

The National Cycle Network is a comprehensive network of more than 10,000 miles of safe and attractive routes to cycle, mainly on a mixture of traffic-free paths, quiet lanes or traffic-calmed roads. It is co-ordinated by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

The following National Cycle Network routes pass through or close to Sedbergh.

Route 68 - The Pennine Cycleway

The Pennine Cycleway, was developed by Sustrans in partnership with over 30 local authorities and other bodies and was opened in July 2003 as the longest cycle challenge ride in the UK covering around 350 miles from Derby to Berwick-upon-Tweed. It follows quiet country roads for around 80% of its length, with the remainder on forest tracks and disused railway lines.

Route 30 - The Cumbria Cycle Way

This route is signposted in some places and appears on some maps but is no longer actively promoted as a viable route due to concerns about safety on some sections.

The Yorkshire Dales Cycleway

The Yorkshire Dales Cycleway is a 130 mile circular route linking Skipton, Grassington, Malham, Settle, Ingleton, Dent, Hawes, Reeth and Kettlewell.

Route 20 - The Walney to Wear Cycleway

The Walney to Wear Cycleway (W2W) was inspired by the pioneering Sea to Sea Cycle Route (C2C) and runs for about 150 miles between Walney Island on Cumbria's Irish Sea coast and Wearmouth in Sunderland on the North Sea coast. A series of country lanes and quiet roads have been linked by sections of cycle paths, forest trails and off-road tracks to form an integrated, sign-posted route across the country.

Mountain Bike Routes

The Bowderdale Classic

This hard day's ride passes the towering waterfall of Cautley Spout, across the tranquil Ravenstonedale Common and the rugged, quiet northern lower slopes of the Howgills and upper Eden Valley before one of the longest single-track sections around taking you right to the summit of the Calf. The final descent off Winder is not for the faint-hearted.

For further details of this route see http://www.mtbthedales.org.uk/routes/index.asp?saction=route&routeID=49

The 4 Valley Route

Passing down the Lune valley and then looping up through the tranquil Barbondale to the beautiful Dentdale, this circuit has none of the long, steep climbs normally expected in this area. This makes it ideal either for intermediate level riding or to balance out the Bowderdale challenge as part of a two-day riding break here.

For further details of this route see http://www.mtbthedales.org.uk/routes/index.asp?saction=route&routeID=50