Threlkeld - Detail
Where to start
Arrive along the A66 and turn towards Keswick at the roundabout. Take the first left just after the petrol station and park outside the leisure centre (Map).
An alternative is to park in Threlkeld and finish your ride with the old railway line, though there is generally less space here (map).
Route
Begin along the disused railway line that exits from the far end of the car park. This is part of the C2C cycle path. Follow this for about 4.5 km, climbing gently all the way. At the end of the railway the path rises to meet the A66: keep left and almost immediately turn left rising up towards the village of Threlkeld. When you arrive in the centre of the village (500m from the A66) turn left signed to the Blencathra Centre and climb fairly steeply on the road for 1.7km where the metalled road runs out in the car park above the Blencathra Centre.
Continue straight on on what is now an unmade track heading along the side of Blease fell. This track climbs gently for 1.5km and then descends for 1km to arrive at Glenderaterra Tarn, towards the head of the valley. This is all good cycling on fairly good surfaces; but now there is a steep climb on a path that is very rocky and rough (a rock infested ditch as my co rider called it) - cycling up is pretty demanding.
After 40m of climb you join the Cumbria Way bridle path. Turning right takes you to Skiddaw House on the "Behind Skiddaw" route. Instead, turn left and continue to climb gently along Lonscale Fell (the eastern edge of Skiddaw) reaching a height of 400m after 1km, and then descend gently again for a further 1km before the path turn sharp right to cross the front of Lonscale Fell. The route to the corner is rough and rocky: quite technical riding. After the corner the path becomes more rideable and the steeper gradient provides a fast, exciting descent for over a kilometre to Whit Beck. If you have time to look there are good views on your left over Derwent Water and beyond: Keswick stone circle is clearly visible.
After crossing Whit Beck the path climbs gently to the Latrigg car park (map). Turn right into the car park and after 100m left onto the bridle path signed Keswick. You now have a fast descent all the way back to the Keswick. Beware of walkers (there are lots due to its proximity to Keswick and the relatively gentle climb) and the vicious drainage cross ditches - I've seen several riders taken by surprise by these and fly ungracefully into the undergrowth!
The descent is about 1.3km before you reach a surfaced track which takes you back over the A66 and down to a T junction: turn left and then right 100m later to bring you back to the car park.