Cycling in Keswick

From YHA Keswick there is a cycle route to suit everyone, whether you’re looking for a gentle ride following the River Greta along an old railway track to tackling the famous 112 mile Fred Whitton challenge that includes all the Lake District passes.
 
YHA Keswick has a lockable cycle shed, tools available to fix most common bike problems and a brush and hose to keep your bike clean - everything you need to ensure your cycling holiday goes smoothly.

Family/Novice Cycling

The Old Railway & Castlerigg Stone Circle route is a 10km ride with one climb and steep descent on a quiet road and a short section along the A591 into Keswick. The route sets out along the old railway track following the River Greta through lovely woodland where, if you are lucky, you may see a red squirrel. The railway path joins the A66 for a very short section which has a wide pavement leading you to the village of Threlkeld where you will find two good pubs as well as a café at the locally run visitors centre. Continue through Threlkeld and turn right on to Station Road. At the bottom of Station Road use caution when crossing the busy A66 and continue along here for 2km before taking your first right turn signposted for St Johns In The Vale Church, after which the pleasant valley is named. Follow this narrow road over a stone bridge, take your first right and continue until you reach a T junction where you turn left. Take the next left signposted to Castlerigg Stone Circle. Here begins your biggest challenge of the day but the reward of reaching the Neolithic stone circle with the amazing views make it one of Keswick’s essential experiences. The road now descends very steeply (some may prefer to walk this section) before joining the road back to Keswick.
  
Round Derwent Water is a 17km road ride with a few climbs early on. Leaving the hostel on Station Road, turn right and continue through Keswick across the mini roundabout and cross the bridge over the River Greta. After 1km take a left turn onto a minor road and walk your bike across the foot bridge leading to Portinscale. At the junction bear left and follow this road through some lovely undulating woodland before the trees give way along a straight flat section. The road then begins to climb gently before crossing a cattle grid and a short steep cut back at the base of the Cat Bells footpath. As the hill eases, the stunning views over Derwent Water present themselves as you contour along the side of Cat Bells. The road continues above the Western side of Derwent Water, giving beautiful views over the Borrowdale valley before entering the pretty village of Grange where you will find a couple of cafes to relax in. Follow the road over the stone bridge and turn left at the junction onto the B5289 along the eastern side of the Derwent all the way to Keswick. A nice diversion on this route to test the legs is to take the right turn off the B5289 up to Watendlath. This is a steep leg burning climb that leads to a remote little hamlet on a picturesque tarn where there is a small tea shop during the summer.
  
Keswick BMX pump track is a free exhilarating BMX track that will get your heart pumping and is just a stones throw from the hostel in Fitz Park.