10 Turn R along theroadside track backto Coniston

9 Turn L andcarefully cross roadto follow the LowYewdale farm trackopposite overYewdale Beck (orreturn to Conistonthe way you came)

8 The track to YewTree Farm tearoomis through gate on Lby bridge. Bear R onto track after bridgeto continue back

7 Enjoy the rapiddescent from thedisused quarries –control your speedand watch out forother road users!

6 Amongst farmbuildings turn R offthe road and followtrack (an unclassifiedroad) signed toHodge Close

5 For the pub inLittle Langdale crossthe River Brathayand follow roadupwards – pleasepay heed to thesigns on your return.Then follow tracksigned to Colwithand Skelwith overstone bridge to jointarmac road

4 Go throughfarmyard and takethe gated bridlewaytrack on the R

3 Turn L onto roadleading up and overinto theTilberthwaite valley(wooden 37 sign toElterwater andAmbleside)

2 As tarmac givesway to track, turn Rthrough gate atcorner of stone wall.Follow the windingwoodland trackbeside the mainroad

1 Turn L out of carpark, pass thechurch and turn R.Turn L by the BlackBull Inn & Hotel(blue 37 sign) topass the smallbrewery andRuskin Museum

1 Turn R out of thecar park andfollow main road.Join shared usepath to head oflake and turn R

9 If taking launchback – a) to Torverjetty: cycle back toConiston along thewaymarkedlakeshore track andthen Lake Road;b) to Conistonjetty: cycle backinto the village alongLake Road

2 Turn R ontolakeshore road pastBrantwood (JohnRuskin’s home from1872-1900) all theway to LowickBridge. Spot theWater Park jetty justbefore theadventure centre(through gap in lowwall) for launch tripback

7 Turn L to retracethe route back toConiston or, if you’rein time, to WaterPark Jetty to catchthe launch

6 Turn L then first Rin Water Yeat,taking extra care onthis busier road

3 For the pub andoptionalSubberthwaiteCommon loop turnR across bridge andgo SA at X roads.Otherwise retracethe lakeshore routeback to Coniston

4 Turn R out of thepub and R againbeyond the churchand hall. Keep L onto the open roadacross the common(cattle grid and twogates)

5 Turn R at T jct andR again after shortdescent from grassyviewing area ontothe bridleway track.Keep SA as a trackenters from R

8 Coniston LaunchA launch leaves the Water Parkjetty at 3.25pm daily (exceptTuesdays) from mid March toearly November. Check currenttimetable and fares at the TICor www.conistonlaunch.co.uk

Coniston Railway line ride5.6 miles (9km) approx andjust within our easy grade.Carefully cycle upwards outof Coniston on main road(A593) signed to Ulverston.Just as houses (and the 30mphzone) end, take the signedcyclist and pedestrian trackthrough the gate on L. Partlyon the line of the disusedrailway that ran betweenBroughton-in-Furness andConiston, continue to nextroad jct and turn L overrailway bridge. Follow thesigned part track, part tarmacroute down to the lakeshore,past Coniston Hall and nearlyall the way back. Turn L upLake Road to return to thevillage (or R for the cafe atthe boating centre).

Head into the heart of the Lake District on thismostly off-road, but easy to follow route throughthe wooded Tilberthwaite valley. Cross (or ford ifyou’re brave) the River Brathay to rise up to LittleLangdale hamlet for a pub lunch. Strenuous climbingup to the old green slate quarries at Hodge Closeis then rewarded with a freewheeling descent backto the Yewdale fell side track and the head ofConiston Water.

Start/finish: Pay & display car park in Coniston next to TICand toilets. Alternative parking at the Sports & Social Centrenear Shepherd Bridge

Distance: 9.3 miles (15km)

Grade: Short-Challenge. Off-road is rough in places sofavours mountain bike use

Refreshments: Three Shires Inn in Little Langdale (01539437215) and Yew Tree Farm tearoom (015394 41433) turnL at Shepherds Bridge

Public loos: Monk Coniston car park (head of lake)

Little Langdale

Follow the undulating eastern lakeshore roadunder a canopy of trees and then the River Craketo Lowick Bridge hamlet (and pub). You can cyclestraight back or load your bikes on to the launchat Water Park jetty for a more sedate return.Otherwise go further by following quiet lanesacross the flank of Subberthwaite Common fora wonderful view over the Woodland Valley.Twisting track and tarmac return you to thelakeshore and the road or launch back.

Start / finish: Pay & display car park next to ConistonTIC and toilets (or park at Coniston Sports & SocialCentre near Shepherd Bridge)

Distance: Lowick Bridge and back: 17.5m (28km)With Subberthwaite Common loop: 22.5m (36km)

Grade: Lowick Bridge and back: Medium-EasyWith Subberthwaite Common loop: Medium-Moderate. On-road or cycle path, except for shortsection of track after Subberthwaite Common andTorver jetty

Refreshments: Jumping Jenny Coffee House &Restaurant at Brantwood (015394 41715); Red Lionpub at Lowick Bridge (01229 885366); Bluebird Cafeat Coniston Boating Centre

Public loos: Monk Coniston car park (head of lake)

Coniston Water & Subberthwaite Common

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Gradient: 14-20%(arrow points downhill)

National Park Boundary

Key to maps

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