Lake District Bike Tour – Derwent Water

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival Keswick / Portinscale

   Today is set aside to allow you to arrive into Keswick at your convenience. Your accommodation at Derwent Bank is situated just a mile from town. You will meet your leader and the rest of the group, and enjoy a leisurely evening meal.
   
   

   • Derwent Bank Hotel
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Surrounding Skiddaw

   Today you'll head out on a circular route taking in some of the best views of Skiddaw, Blencathra, and Bassenthwaite Lake National Nature Reserve. There are a few challenging climbs today, the first out of Bassenthwaite and especially the ascent out of the small village of Uldale. Once up at a higher elevation, the views are spectacular, with only a few trees and majestic rolling hills as far as the eye can see.
   
   After a final climb to Calebreck, there are plenty of gentle and medium-grade descents to make up for the climbs and give your legs a rest, allowing you to appreciate the beautiful surroundings before completing the loop back to Keswick.
   
   

   • 36 miles
   • 2,460.6 ft
     2,460.6 ft
   • Derwent Bank Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Whinlatter, Cockermouth and Bassenthwaite

   You’ll start today’s ride heading west, towards High Lorton. You'll warm up your legs with a ride through Whinlatter before heading north to Cockermouth, where you’ll pass by Cockermouth Castle and Wordsworth House.
   
   You'll then wind your way east via Wythop Woods, to meet Bassenthwaite on its western edge halfway down the lake. This is the only official “lake” in the Lake District and you’ll have a great view as we meander along its shoreline.
   
   You’ll then make your way back to your accommodation for an evening meal at Derwent Bank.
   
   

   • 29.8 miles
   • 2,460.6 ft
     2,460.6 ft
   • Derwent Bank Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Derwent Water, Thirlmere, Castlerigg

   This morning you’ll head east along the Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Path. You’ll then head south down through St John’s in the Vale and to the north west bank of Thirlmere Reservoir with the dramatic Helvellyn towering above to the east. You’ll then head back north to Keswick via Castlerigg Stone Circle, an ancient monument built around 3000 BC, taking some essential photos in this marvellous English Heritage site.
   
   You'll then cycle south along the east side of Derwent Water stopping at Ashness Bridge, one of the Lake District’s most photographed sites. On a clear day, the viewpoint looks out over both Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance.
   
   Following a short detour to Bowder Stone you’ll cycle through the postcard village of Grange, at the entrance to the “Jaws of Borrowdale.” You'll cycle over the impressive double-arched bridge crossing the River Derwent, past its quaint slate cottages and tea shops. The final section of today’s ride sees the group heading back north up the west side of Derwent Water and through Stair and Little Town back to your accommodation in Portinscale.
   
   

   • 36.7 miles
   • 3,116.8 ft
     3,116.8 ft
   • Derwent Bank Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

   • 

     Castlerigg Stone Circle

     Visit this ancient site on day 4

5. Day 5Departure Keswick / Portinscale

   Today you’ll have a leisurely breakfast together, and with plenty of miles in your legs and memories made, you’ll set off on your onward journeys home.
   
   

   • Breakfast