Mountain Biking
Cycling to the summit of the Calf
Sedbergh has on its doorstep one of the classic tough mountain bike rides in the United Kingdom: the Bowderdale circuit. This begins with a steep grassy push up Winder before making its way along the ridge of the Howgills to The Calf. From here a bridleway takes you down the length of Bowderdale, with miles of technical singletrack riding, to the back of the Howgills. The return route is made via roads and tracks from Ravestonedale. A full description can be found at cyclethedales.org.uk/route/sedbergh_the_bowderdale_classic. Alternatively return from the top of The Calf by the route of ascent for a wild ride back to town.
The recently opened Pennine Bridleway, which ends at Street near Kirkby Stephen, provides numerous possibilities for a great day out. Several new sections of bridleway have been created and the surfaces improved on the older tracks.
Many other classic routes in the Dales and the Lakes can easily by accessed from Sedbergh. Have a look at these links
Road Cycling
Why not use Sedbergh as a base to explore the fabulous road network in the Dales? You can test yourself against such classics as the climb to Tan Hill (where you can refresh yourself at Britain’s highest pub) or the Buttertubs pass, made famous in 2014 by the Tour de France.
For a more gentle ride try hiring an electric bike from Eden-e-motion in nearby Kirkby Stephen.
Sedbergh Information Centre can supply a range of maps and guidebooks related to cycling in the area.
The Lakes & Dales Loop
The Lakes & Dales Loop is a 196 mile circular route which passes through Sedbergh on its journey around the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley. The whole route is generally cycled over 4 to 6 days but there are also various one day loops available.
The National Cycle Network
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.
Cycling Nateby to Keld
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.
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.
