The Western Lake District Motorbike Tour Guide
The
Western Fells, are some of the most striking in the Lake District. Here
you'll find England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike. Scafell is an enormous
circular cairn which is now crumbling and has a boulder-ridden summit. The
valleys are quite spectacular and unique ideal for a day trip on your bike.
Ravenglass is a small sleepy port with a pretty sailing harbour by the well sheltered Esk estuary. It's the terminus for the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, lovingly preserved, with open carriages chugging up seven miles of unspoilt valley to Dalegarth; admirers say it's the most beautiful train journey in England.
An optional detour keeping north on the A595 past the mill brings you in just over a mile to a side road towards Santon Bridge, turn right on to this road, forking left after 1 1/2 miles. In the pretty village of Santon Bridge, turn left and right for the road into Wasdale. This brings you to Wast Water, the most isolated of all the major lakes. This dramatic stretch of water is England's deepest lake (258 feet), yet stands beneath Scafell Pike and Sca Fell, England's tallest mountains (3206 feet and 3162 feet respectively.
Back on the A595, a mile South East of Ravenglass is Muncaster Castle, Gardens & Owl Centre. The same family have lived in this grand old house since 1208 - and will continue to do so as long as a magical glass drinking bowl remains intact.
In Broad Oak, just over two miles south of the Castle, turn left on to the high fell road over Corney Fell, forking left in 1 1/2 miles, and left again after another 4 1/4 miles. This high road gives sweeping views of the coast before dropping down into the wooded valley to meet the A595 at Duddon Bridge. 100 yards before you reach the A595, look out for the pair of gates by a bridleway signpost on the right; just beyond are the impressive remains of Duddon Furnace, formerly one of eight local charcoal-fuelled furnaces in operation, and in use from 1736 to 1867.
Turn left on to the A595, to Broughton In Furness. This tranquil southern gateway to Lakeland has streets lined with colour-washed cottages, and a spacious former market square. It's a pleasantly unpretentious place, wavering in character between a large village and a small town.
Backtracking on the A595, turn right before the bridge in Duddon Bridge, signposted Ulpha. This back road takes you into the Duddon Valley - also known as Dunnerdale. It's an enclosed and twisting route, with remote farmsteads and simple hamlets on the way, and some delicious scenery around Ulpha and Seathwaite - where the Newfield Inn is a good refreshment stop.
Continuing up past Seathwaite, you come to a junction with the Ambleside--Eskdale mountain road. Turn left at the junction, over the Hardknott Pass. At the top of the Pass, the Isle of Man rears into view across the sea.
Below lies Eskdale, a lovely dale favoured by its relative remoteness, but with a scattering of decent pubs, and manmade and natural sights. Boot lies near the Dalegarth terminus of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. Dalegarth Falls are lovely), and close by is Stanley Ghyll Force, another waterfall high in a ravine with a dizzying rock platform above it.
Linking with Hardknott Pass is an optional route into this circuit, to or from Ambleside. From Ambleside, follow the A593 Coniston road, turning right on to the B5343 at Skelwith Bridge to enter Langdale. In 1 1/4 miles you pass the delightful village of Elterwater with its beautifully sited inn the Britannia. Continue along magnificently scenic Langdale, beneath the formidable crags of the Langdale Pikes, a magnet for fell walkers. 11 miles after the start of the B5343, turn sharp right at the junction, for the steep climb up to the Wrynose Pass. This is the eastern end of the exciting route into Eskdale, which beyond the junction with the Duddon Valley road, continues along the Hardknott Pass. The drive up here is not for the faint-hearted - it's very steep and twisting, through these two daunting passes, but the scenery makes it worthwhile. This rugged road is second to none in the Lakes as a way of experiencing the fells from a car window.
