Dunnerdale, Lake District

Distance 25.6km (15.9 miles) Climbing 900m (2,953ft) Time 2hrs to 3hrs

Route summary Tucked away in the quieter western part of the Lake District, this short route offers plenty of technical riding and stunning views, away from the crowds. Suitable for most conditions and times of the year, it sits between a medium and hard ride Start/ inish Seathwaite (grid ref SD 228/960, postcode LA20 6ED)

1

Go north on the road, to Birks Bridge car park. Bear left to cross the River Duddon, then turn left on the bridleway. Keep right at the T-junction, heading towards Birks. Climb the forest road, then go left at the T-junction, into the forest.

2

Follow the trail around to the right. After a left-hand bend, go left at the fork (in a deforested area), down a fast, straight descent. Fork left at the bottom, to and through Grass Guards Farm. Follow the bridleway between the walls, first up and then down the hillside. Turn left before the cottage for a technical descent.

3

Join the tarmac at High Wallowbarrow and follow it down to and alongside the River Duddon. At a junction just past some houses, go left, over the bridge (with a post box). Keep left and follow this road back to Seathwaite. Continue on it for 1km, retracing the start of the route. This time, take the right turn signposted to Coniston (‘Unfit for cars’).

4

Keep right on this road until it bears left over a bridge. Continue straight ahead instead, o -road. Climb steeply for just under 1km. Go through the gate and turn right at the junction (leaving the Walna Scar Road). Follow this narrow track past an old quarry slag heap. Bear left at the next set of (more substantial) ruins, o the main track/footpath and up a grassy climb.

5

Follow this faint trail, keeping right. Cross a stream and turn left down the valley. Go back over the stream, then bear right to cross it again. From Natty Bridge, follow the lovely singletrack down the right-hand side of the valley.

6

At Stephenson Ground, turn right onto the bridleway before the gate (‘Seathwaite’). Follow this walled trail uphill. Go through another gate, then left at the junction, downhill, with a wall on your left. Keep left at the fork to cross the plateau and Long Mire Beck.

7

Bear left to join an uphill track next to a wall. Follow the singletrack, ignoring the bridleway on the left, to go around Raven’s Crag. Bear right, down to a stream crossing and a good track beyond it. Turn right on this, uphill. Keep ahead, down a rough descent back to Seathwaite.