Penrith and the Eden Valley sit in one of the finest cycling areas in England. Whether you’re a road cyclist chasing climbs, a mountain biker looking for trails, or a family after gentle lanes and traffic-free paths, you’ll find brilliant riding right from the doorstep of our Fern Cottage, Maple Cottage, and Rittson Cottage.
Here’s our guide to the best cycling routes near Penrith, covering everything from leisurely afternoon spins to proper all-day adventures.
Easy and Family-Friendly Routes
The Eden Valley Loop (12 miles)
This gentle circular route takes you through some of the prettiest villages in the Eden Valley. Starting from Great Strickland (where Fern and Maple Cottage are located), head south through the quiet lanes to Morland, then on to King’s Meaburn and back via Maulds Meaburn and Crosby Ravensworth. The terrain is gently rolling, the roads are quiet, and the scenery is pastoral and peaceful. Allow a couple of hours, or longer if you stop at the village pubs along the way.
Distance: 12 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Quiet country roads
Good for: Families, casual cyclists, scenic rides
Pooley Bridge to Howtown along Ullswater (6 miles one way)
This route follows the quiet road along the southern shore of Ullswater from Pooley Bridge to Howtown. The lake views are magnificent, and the road is relatively flat with just a few undulations. You can cycle one way and catch the Ullswater Steamer back, making it a lovely half-day outing. It’s about a 15-minute drive from our cottages to Pooley Bridge.
Distance: 6 miles one way
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Surface: Quiet road
Good for: Scenic rides, combining cycling with a lake cruise
Moderate Road Routes
The Askham and Lowther Circuit (20 miles)
A beautiful loop that takes in some of the Eden Valley’s finest scenery. From Penrith, head south through Eamont Bridge (wave to Rittson Cottage as you pass) and on to Askham, one of Cumbria’s prettiest villages. Continue through Bampton and Bampton Grange, skirting the edge of Haweswater, before looping back via Shap and the A6. There are a couple of stiff climbs, but nothing too savage, and the views from the higher ground are superb.
Distance: 20 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Surface: Roads, some busier sections
Good for: Confident cyclists, half-day rides
Penrith to Keswick via the Old A66 (18 miles one way)
Before the A66 dual carriageway was built, the old road wound its way over the fells between Penrith and Keswick. Parts of this old route are now quiet cycling roads with very little traffic. The climb up and over the top is rewarding, with views across to Blencathra and Skiddaw. You can return the same way or take the bus back from Keswick (bikes are sometimes carried, but check ahead).
Distance: 18 miles one way
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Surface: Roads
Good for: Road cyclists, fell views
Challenging Routes for Experienced Cyclists
The Kirkstone Pass Loop (35 miles)
This is a proper Lakeland challenge. From Penrith, ride to Pooley Bridge, along Ullswater to Glenridding, then tackle the Kirkstone Pass — one of the Lake District’s highest road passes at 454 metres. The descent into Ambleside is thrilling, and you can return via Windermere and the A592. It’s a long day in the saddle with serious climbing, but the sense of achievement is immense.
Distance: 35 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation gain: Approximately 900m
Good for: Experienced road cyclists, sportive training
The Hartside Pass (from Penrith)
Heading east out of Penrith, the Hartside Pass climbs up and over the Pennines towards Alston. At 580 metres, it’s one of the highest A-roads in England, and the climb is long and relentless — about 7 miles of steady ascending. The views from the top are extraordinary, stretching back across the Eden Valley to the Lake District fells. Alston itself is a charming town for a coffee stop before the exhilarating descent back.
Distance: 30 miles return
Difficulty: Challenging
Good for: Hill climbers, road cyclists
Mountain Biking
Whinlatter Forest
About 40 minutes from Penrith, Whinlatter is England’s only mountain forest and has excellent purpose-built mountain bike trails. There are routes for all abilities, from gentle green trails to technical red and black runs. Bike hire is available on site, and there’s a good cafe for refuelling afterwards.
Grizedale Forest
A bit further afield (about an hour’s drive), Grizedale offers the North Face Trail — a challenging 16-mile mountain bike route through the forest above Hawkshead. It’s one of the best-known trails in the Lake District and well worth the journey.
Bike Hire and Shops
Arragon’s Cycle Centre in Penrith (Brunswick Road) is the go-to local bike shop for hire, repairs, and advice on routes. They stock road bikes, mountain bikes, and e-bikes, and the staff know the local lanes inside out. Cyclewise in Whinlatter offers hire at the forest trails.
Your Cycling Base near the Lakes
Our three holiday cottages make an ideal base for a cycling break. Fern Cottage and Maple Cottage in Great Strickland have enclosed gardens and secure space for bike storage, while Rittson Cottage in Eamont Bridge puts you right at the start of the Eden Valley lanes. After a long day in the saddle, there’s nothing better than coming back to your own cottage, putting your feet up, and planning tomorrow’s ride.