Visiting

Lake District cycling

Road cyclists and mountain bikers are spoilt for choice in the Lake District National Park. There are a range of country lanes, permitted cycleways and bridleways to suit all experience levels, and you can be sure of fantastic views along the way!

Long distance cycle routes

Electric bike charging points

Hire electric and mountain bikes across the Lake District

The Lake District National Park have opened a range of new bike hire locations, with mountain bikes and on-and-off road electric bikes in different sizes. You can hire a bike for half a day or a full day, with some great route suggestions along quieter tracks and off-road routes, to really enjoy the spectacular views!

an electric bike by a lake

Where to ride your hire bike

A phone showing a route on OS Maps app We've got suggested routes from each of our bike hire locations and we recommend downloading OS Maps app on your phone so you can track your progress on the route as you go along.

Our routes take you on quiet roads and traffic-free tracks and suit our electric and mountain bikes.

It's free to download and free to register an account which will work on the web and in the app.

Our suggested times are for average cycling speeds, but give yourself a bit longer so you can enjoy the views and refuel with a picnic or cafe visit!

Bike hire costs:

Mountain bike, half day, 10am - 1pm: £20
Mountain bike, full day, 10am - 4pm: £30
Electric bike, half day, 10am - 1pm: £35
Electric bike, full day, 10am - 4pm: £50

Bike hire sizes:

Extra small - for riders 155 - 163cm / 5'1" - 5'4"
Small - for riders 163 - 170cm / 5'4" - 5'7"
Medium - for riders 170 - 178cm / 5'7" - 5'10"
Large - for riders 178 - 183cm / 5'10" - 6'0"

Bike hire at Waterhead car park, Ambleside

Postcode: LA22 0ES
///possible.snooping.region

From Ambleside there are out and back cycle routes down the quiet Western shore of Windermere and along the river and lake shores to Grasmere.

Bikes available to hire at Waterhead

Electric - 6 medium Pedegos
Mountain bikes - small, medium and large

electric bikes lined up

Cycle routes from Waterhead on OS Maps

Waterhead to Windermere Western Shore - 13.4km each way, 27km total, about 2-3 hour ride.
Waterhead to Grasmere along the river and lakeshores - 9.5km each way, 19km total, about 1-2 hour ride.
Waterhead to Langdale - 13.3km each way, 27km total, 2-3 hour ride.

Book bike hire at Waterhead Ambleside online

Bike hire at Coniston Boating Centre

Postcode: LA21 8EW
///pushed.meanders.really

From Coniston you can cycle across Little Langdale to Elterwater, through Hawkshead to Sawry or a loop to Ambleside and back.

Bikes to hire at Coniston Boating Centre

Electric bikes - 1 small, 3 medium and 1 large Cube Nuride Hybrid
Mountain bikes - 1 extra small, 3 small, 3 medium and 3 large Bergamont

Cycle routes from Coniston Boating Centre on OS Maps

Coniston to Elterwater - 11.5km each way, 23km total, about a 2-3 hour ride.
Coniston to Torver - 5km each way, 10km total, about a 1-1.5 hour ride.

Book bike hire at Coniston online

Bike hire at Hawkshead

LA22 0NS
///bath.conspire.newest

From Hawkshead you can cycle to Ambleside or into the stunning Langdale valley.

Peddle and Paddle at Coniston Boating Centre

You can cycle the fairly short route to Coniston and combine your bike hire with paddleboard hire to get out on the water! Choose from a half day bike hire with 1 hour paddleboarding, or a full day bike hire with 2 hours paddleboarding. The Bluebird cafe has plenty of lunches and ice creams to re-fuel you before your cycle back! Book online and choose a combined bike hire and paddleboard option and your paddleboard will be waiting for you - whenever you arrive at Coniston.

Bikes to hire at Hawkshead

Mountain bikes - 1 extra small, 3 small, 3 medium and 4 large Bergamont.
Electric bikes - 1 small, 2 medium and 2 large Cube Nuride Hybrid.

Cycle routes from Hawkshead on OS Maps

Hawkshead to Coniston - 7.5km route, about a 1/2 - 1 hour ride.
Coniston to Hawkshead - 7.5km route, about a 1/2 - 1 hour ride/
Hawkshead to Ambleside - 9.6km each way, 19km total, about a 2-3 hour ride.
Hawkshead to Langdale - 19.4km each way, 39km total, about a 4-5 hour ride.

Book bike hire at Hawkshead online

Bike hire at Bowness Information Centre

LA23 3HJ
///pouch.onto.catapult

As you leave the hussle of Bowness behind you, you can explore the relative quiet of Troutbeck and Town end, or head across the lake on the ferry to the car-free routes along Windermere's Western shore.

Bikes to hire at Bowness Information Centre

Electric bikes - 1 small, 2 medium and 2 large Cube Nuride Hybrid

Cycle routes from Bowness on OS Maps

Bowness to Wray Castle via the ferry - 8.8km each way, 17.5km total, about a 1.5-2 hour ride.
Bowness to Sawry and Wray Castle via the ferry - 20.5 km loop, about a 2-3 hour ride.

Bike hire at Bowness will be available soon

Great off-road routes for all ages

The Eskdale Trail is an off-road signed route from Ravenglass through the Eskdale valley.
The Windermere Western Shore is a gently undulating track along the lake shore for walkers and cyclists.
The Keswick to Threlkeld Railway path is a flat multi-user route that's perfect for families with bikes, as well as pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Take your bike on buses and boats

You can carry your bike on:

Windermere Ferry between Ferry Nab and Ferry House
The Windermere Bike Boat between Brockhole and Bark Barn
Bus 599 which runs up to 3 times an hour between Bowness, Windermere, Brockhole, Ambleside and Grasmere carries two bikes.
Rail services to and within the Lake District carry bikes, see rail operating company websites for details of capacity and booking arrangements.

Forest

For the more adventurous bike riders:

If you fancy biking through Lake District forest and woodland. Forestry England has bike centres in Grizedale and Whinlatter. They offer amazing daily bike hire at affordable prices.