Top 7 Bike Parks around Hawkshead

Near Hawkshead, the primary destination for mountain biking is Grizedale Forest Park. It offers a diverse network of trails, including challenging singletrack descents like the North Face MTB Trail (Red Grade) and the intense Black MTB Trail. For more relaxed rides, you'll find Green-graded options such as the Silurian Way, Hawkshead Moor Trail, Moor Top Trail, and Grizedale Tarn Trail, which are mostly forest roads and bridleways.

Yes, Grizedale Forest Park provides several family-friendly cycling options. The Green-graded trails like the Silurian Way (23.5 km), Hawkshead Moor Trail (17 km), Moor Top Trail (11.5 km), and Grizedale Tarn Trail (10 km) are ideal. These trails often consist of wide gravel tracks and forest roads, offering a relaxed ride through scenic woodlands, suitable for various ages and abilities.

For experienced riders seeking a challenge, the Black MTB Trail in Grizedale Forest offers steep descents, jumps, berms, and drop-offs over its 1 km length. Additionally, the North Face MTB Trail (Red Grade) includes exhilarating singletrack sections and demanding descents. The komoot community also highlights the Fox Full Descent as an excellent fast and technical option requiring good equipment and skill.

Bike and e-bike hire are readily available in the Hawkshead village itself and directly at Grizedale Forest. At Grizedale, you can find facilities at Biketreks Grizedale, making it convenient to access the extensive network of trails.

Grizedale Forest Park is well-equipped for cyclists, offering an on-site café, a retail shop, and a bicycle washing station. Bike and e-bike hire facilities are also available at Biketreks Grizedale, ensuring a comfortable and convenient visit.

The Lake District, including the Hawkshead area, offers great cycling opportunities throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn often provide pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery. While trails can be ridden year-round, some sections, like the MTB Descent in Lake District National Park, can get quite wet after prolonged rain, so checking local conditions is advisable.

Yes, many trails in Grizedale Forest offer stunning views and unique features. The Silurian Way passes many of the forest's unique art installations. The Hawkshead Moor Trail provides panoramic views towards Coniston Old Man, Ambleside, the Langdale fells, and Helvellyn. The High Tilberthwaite to Little Langdale Trail is also noted for its awesome views.

Beyond mountain biking, the Hawkshead area is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous easy hikes, such as the Black Crag – Iron Keld loop. There are also many road cycling routes, including the scenic Grizedale Valley loop, and challenging running trails like the Hawkshead Village – Wray Castle loop.

Grizedale Forest generally welcomes dogs, but it's important to keep them under control, especially around wildlife and other trail users. While many forest roads and bridleways are suitable for dogs, specific mountain bike singletracks might be less ideal due to speed and technical features. Always check local signage for any restrictions.

Beyond Grizedale, the area around Hawkshead offers a wealth of bridleways and quiet lanes. Popular local routes include the Claife Round and Esthwaite Round for scenic tours. You can also cycle towards the Windermere Shoreline, Wray Castle, and Hill Top, with routes like the Windermere and Esthwaite Cycle Trail offering picturesque views.

Yes, some trails feature technical elements. The North Face MTB Trail includes rocky sections and occasional boardwalks. The Black MTB Trail is known for features that are not rollable at slow speeds, demanding advanced technical skills. The MTB Descent in Lake District National Park is described as a brilliant mix of rock and grassy descent, while the Steep Rocky Descent in Lake District National Park is a rough and rocky downhill section requiring concentration.