Cycling around Penrith

Penrith Cycling Hub

For any town to achieve the status of a cycling hub they need to have the following:

Local cycling appeal, with easy to access and a variety of circular cycling routes.
Close proximity to National Cycle Routes
Potential for a safe town centre network for cycling
Public toilets
Cycling Shop
Cycling Hire
Range of local services
Tourist Information Centre
Family friendly routes
Excellent public transport routes
Active local cycling developments

Penrith meets all of the requirement and is in the process of becoming Cumbria's 1st Cycling Hub.

Cycling Routes from Penrith

Penrith Partnership has developed a leaflet showing 5 routes to and from Penrith, taking in the surrounding countryside.  Be amazed at the dramatically differing countryside, from the rolling fertile hills of the Eden valley to the mountainous fells on the edge of the Lakes. 

Route 1  Edge of Lakeland

Edge of Lakeland Cycle your way steadily westwards, marvelling at the increasingly
dramatic views of high Lakeland fells which rise up steeply behind the villages of Mosedale and Mungrisdale. This is connoisseurs Cumbria remote, rugged and breathtakingly beautiful. You’ll be on the popular Sea to Sea (C2C) Cycle Route for much of the time.

Follow this link to download the PDF file for the route map and directions. (1 Mb)

Route 2  To Greystoke and back
Our shortest route has no huge hills to tackle, but the lofty northern fells are an ever-present backdrop as you ride westwards along quiet country lanes to the pretty village of Greystoke and back, with plenty of refreshment stops en-route. And if you’ve time, a detour up to
Greystoke Moor will open up even grander vistas.

Follow this link to download the PDF file for the route map and directions. (1 Mb)

Route 3  Eden Valley

Eden Valley Bearing around Beacon Hill in low gears initially, you’ll enter and traverse the broad undulating valley of the River Eden to the edge of the North Pennines. This peaceful landscape is dotted with small red sandstone villages and crystal clear becks which flow through woodlands, meadows and moorland. And there are plenty of places to keep you fed and watered.

Follow this link to download the PDF file for the route map and directions. (1 Mb)

Route 4  Lowther Valley

Lowther Valley Head south into the sheltered valley that lies between the limestone outcrops of the Orton Fells and the rugged granite scenery of the central Lake District. This is largely Lowther Estate land within the Lake District National Park, and the route takes in several attractive
small villages close to the river. You can extend your ride to take a closer look at Haweswater Reservoir, created by a dam in the 1930s to provide water for Manchester.

Follow this link to download the PDF file for the route map and directions. (1 Mb)

Route 5  Lyvennet Valley

Lyvennet Valley Pedal southwards, rising gradually to the open limestone farmland between Cumbria’s High Fells and the Eden Valley. Then freewheel down to the River Lyvennet and the charming limestone villages which mark its course. Don’t worry if the ford at Kings Meaburn looks too formidable: there’s a footbridge next to it! Brougham Hall (cycle hire
and café) is an alternative start point.

Follow this link to download the PDF file for the route map and directions. (1 Mb)

Cycling Distances from Penrith

The table below gives you some idea how long it would take you to bike from Penrith to these villages, all use the safer routes as mapped in the Penrith cycling guide. Doing this two or three times a week will save you fuel money, get you fitter and leaves no carbon footprint.