The best hardcore ebike routes in the Lake District (with no hike-a-bike)

[Robin Grant]

Hey guys

Can anyone recommend some fairly hardcore ebike routes in the Lake District?

What I'm after is routes with little or no hike-a-bike (which obviously isn't great for heavy ebikes), and ideally (but not compulsorily), fairly gentle climbs so we're not spanking the batteries having to use turbo to get to the top. Tarmac climbs are also OK

But what they absolutely must have is the most gnarly, technical singletrack descents out there please!

Ideally quite big rides with ~1,500m vert

If the route involves riding on footpaths, I can live with that

Hit me with your Strava links please!

 

[Hardtail]

I've not had the chance to ride it yet but Sticks Pass via Hellvelyn looks amazing! Having hiked it a few times.
Helvellyn and Sticks Pass
940m climb, 13miles.

 

[thebarber]

Skiddaw, pedal around to the yha then up to the top and drop off ullock pike.
It's as good as your gonna get.

 

[thebarber]

 

[Robin Grant]

I've not had the chance to ride it yet but Sticks Pass via Hellvelyn looks amazing! Having hiked it a few times.
Helvellyn and Sticks Pass
940m climb, 13miles.

Do you know which way around would be best? This one seems to do it in the opposite direction to your link:

http://fattyres.co.uk/routes/lake-district/helvellyn-classic-sticks-pass-grisedale/

 

[thebarber]

I think for helvellyn yo need to go from Glenridding and up the zig zag.

 

[Hardtail]

Do you know which way around would be best? This one seems to do it in the opposite direction to your link:

http://fattyres.co.uk/routes/lake-district/helvellyn-classic-sticks-pass-grisedale/

They are hiking up Sticks Pass!? That video shows a different route down, further south, Dollywagon Pike.

You want to go Clockwise on that link I posted.

see an alternate route here, with a few more rides available: Lake District Routes - LakesMTB

 

[Hardtail]

I think for helvellyn yo need to go from Glenridding and up the zig zag.

Yes that's the easiest way up on an acoustic as far as I am aware, known as Keppel Cove on this interactive map: Sticks Pass Trail at Keswick

 

[emtbPhil]

Skiddaw, pedal around to the yha then up to the top and drop off ullock pike.
It's as good as your gonna get.

I tried skiddaw last year - went at it from the south near Applethwaite

Got about 1/4 of the way up - ended up with bike on shoulders, hiking over massive rocks, nearly had a stroke, came back down LOL

I guess it must be a lot easier from the North?

 

[thebarber]

Definitely, there was only one bit that had no grip

 

[VWsurfbum]

good little video, i was wondering why that chap was walking his bike, its not until the end when you look back up, how steep it is!

I'm going in July, only ridden through up and over the there once on a coast to coast, nothing really gnarly. Looking forward to doing this. (assuming its dry)

 

[thebarber]

Yeah the gopro effect is definitely there, the other vids are on my yt page
Give winlatter a look aswell

 

[Robin Grant]

Any other ideas peeps?

 

[thebarber]

I did one last year from Braithwaite up to the mine and overlooking Buttermere dropping back onto newlands pass

 

[Tubby G]

Any other ideas peeps?

If you join the Singletrack Scene fb group there's quite a few gpx routes to download for the Lake District

 

[James_MTB]

Think there was an emtb video of Steve Jones & Adam Brayton doing the four passes

 

[Rich-EMTB-UK]

Low Parkamore - Satterswaith from above Coniston is best in Grizedale. Then up Breasty Haw and down into Near Sawry - on to Claife Heights and down into Colthouse is a good day out.

 

[Mteam]

Low Parkamore - Satterswaith from above Coniston is best in Grizedale. Then up Breasty Haw and down into Near Sawry - on to Claife Heights and down into Colthouse is a good day out.

in the grizedale area : -

The breasty haw descent is an absolute cracker - fantastic fun, followed by the hole in the wall descent. Well worth it.

The fox is also a fun descent (not as good as breasty haw though) , and also a fun climb on an ebike.

 

[Rich-EMTB-UK]

in the grizedale area : -

The breasty haw descent is an absolute cracker - fantastic fun, followed by the hole in the wall descent. Well worth it.

The fox is also a fun descent (not as good as breasty haw though) , and also a fun climb on an ebike.

Start from Moor Top car park and dont missing turn turn off for Low Parkamore Singletrack the sign got destroyed in the last big storm.

 

[SteveSSS]

This route around Grizedale takes in some of the descents mentioned above, missing some of the bits still closed after the storms. 45k, 1500mtrs of climbing, running counter clockwise and one cheeky footpath.

 

[Robin Grant]

This route around Grizedale takes in some of the descents mentioned above, missing some of the bits still closed after the storms. 45k, 1500mtrs of climbing, running counter clockwise and one cheeky footpath.

That's amazing Steve - thank you!!! - Any chance of a gpx?

 

[SteveSSS]

That's amazing Steve - thank you!!! - Any chance of a gpx?

Leave it with me, I'm not great with technology. Once I've figured how to do it I'll send it you.

 

[SteveSSS]

Leave it with me, I'm not great with technology. Once I've figured how to do it I'll send it you.

 

[Tubby G]

View attachment 86995

That was easy. Scanned your QR code, saved to phone, opened in Garmin Connect, saved as new route

 

[Robin Grant]

Thank you so much Steve!

Here's the link for anyone not wanting to use the QR code:

Quick Share

Expired

linksharing.samsungcloud.com

 

[The Hodge]

This route around Grizedale takes in some of the descents mentioned above, missing some of the bits still closed after the storms. 45k, 1500mtrs of climbing, running counter clockwise and one cheeky footpath.

View attachment 86991

I've ridden all of that route..but not all at the same time !..
Two different rides one half starting from Coniston..and the other from Hawkshead ..but neither on an ebike ..13+ hours ?
Did you have the power switched off Steve... and while that might sound daft is it doable on just one battery ?
I'm guessing that eco would have to be used a lot to get anywhere near that sort of range with a 625 wh battery ?
(29+ miles / 4921ft climbing..)

 

[The Hodge]

They are hiking up Sticks Pass!? That video shows a different route down, further south, Dollywagon Pike.

You want to go Clockwise on that link I posted.

see an alternate route here, with a few more rides available: Lake District Routes - LakesMTB

Unless you are into masochism..I would give that Nan Bield Pass route an extremely wide berth on an ebike ..as per the pic ..you will be carrying your bike most of the way from Haweswater..its a chore with a normal full sus ..and after a "summer"ride a good few years back which involved sheltering at the top from severe wind and sleet..I vowed never again ..and I never have ..

 

[Mteam]

I've ridden all of that route..but not all at the same time !..
Two different rides one half starting from Coniston..and the other from Hawkshead ..but neither on an ebike ..13+ hours ?
Did you have the power switched off Steve... and while that might sound daft is it doable on just one battery ?
I'm guessing that eco would have to be used a lot to get anywhere near that sort of range with a 625 wh battery ?
(29+ miles / 4921ft climbing..)

We've done most of that route on one battery (625wh Bosch) , motor off on the flats, mostly tour everywhere else. We did the breasty haw descent twice for example

It was actually a slightly different route that totalled 32 miles and 5200 feet of climb

 

[SteveSSS]

I've ridden all of that route..but not all at the same time !..
Two different rides one half starting from Coniston..and the other from Hawkshead ..but neither on an ebike ..13+ hours ?
Did you have the power switched off Steve... and while that might sound daft is it doable on just one battery ?
I'm guessing that eco would have to be used a lot to get anywhere near that sort of range with a 625 wh battery ?
(29+ miles / 4921ft climbing..)

Yes, it's doable on one battery but mainly eco , OS mapping was set to walk rather the cycle hence the 13hrs its just easier when using a FP on a route.

 

[SteveSSS]

We've done most of that route on one battery (625wh Bosch) , motor off on the flats, mostly tour everywhere else. We did the breasty haw descent twice for example

It was actually a slightly different route that totalled 32 miles and 5200 feet of climb

That's one of the great things about Grizedale so many variations of rides.