1st August 2023 ride to Hawkshead (Page Four)

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2023 Photo Galleries

1st August 2023 ride to Hawkshead (Page four)

The view from the barn near High Tock How looking back towards Blelham Tarn.

The view from bridge across Wood Beck looking back along the bridleway.

The sign posts at Loanthwaite

The view looking across the fields towards Hawkhead from Loanthwaite.

Common Knapweed flowering at side of Scar House Lane

A leaf shoot at side of Scar House Lane.

A late lunch time view in Hawkshead.

The view looking back into the Red Lion Yard in Hawkshead.

The view looking along bridleway along side the B5285

Hogweed flowering at side of the bridleway.

Grass growing on Eel House Bridge.

The view looking along the bridleway towards Cunsey Bridge.

A Silver Birch near Graythwaite Hall

Ride report by Simeon Orme The main reason for doing this ride was to look at West Windermere Way, yes the first part from Newby Bridge to Lakeside is worth doing has you do get few nice views of the lower parts of Windermere. The next part of the Way from Lakeside to Great Knott Wood in my view is waste of time and more aim at someone using there two feet or if you on mountain bike and wanting some fun might worth doing! The next part of the Way up to Finsthwaite is public footpath so cyclist are not allow to use it! The next part of the Way which cyclists can use, starts just after High Stott Park to YMCA National Centre and is poorly signpost that I cycle pass it and decide to continue on the tarmac, again it maybe worth doing if you on Mountain Bike or in family group but otherwise a bit of waste time. There does need a lot dots joining up on the map before the West Windermere Way become useful cycle path to do! The day start with me putting my gravel bike in the back car, it was first that done this year and headed up to the Lake District National Park which is around 40 minute drive to small Forest Commission car park at Chapel House Wood. After unloading the bike out of the back of the car, I followed the lane through Chapel House and down to Staveley-in-Cartmel where model railway in someone garden. From Staveley-in-Cartmel, I followed the lane towards Newby Bridge with short section on the A592 before turning on to short cycle path into Newby Bridge. After crossing bridge over the River Leven, I turn on to first part of the West Windermere Way which if did not its was there you probably continue along the tarmac to Lakeside or follow the bridleway up to Finsthwaite but once get pass The Swan Hotel, The West Windermere is well sign posted and on good day without the rain clouds there some nice views of Lake Windermere to enjoy and has you get nearer Lakeside you see parts of village would of not see before, after making my through the car parks, then crossing over the ‘B’ road, the next of section of the Way was a bit of waste of time, has sooner stay on the tarmac. Anyway left the West Windermere Way at Great Knott Wood continue on the ‘B’ road to Graythwaite Hall where followed delightful lane through to High Cunsey and then on to B5285 which followed down towards The Ferry House before turning on public byway. I stop for brew and cake at Joey’s Cafe in courtyard of Claife Viewing Station, then had short walk up to the Claife Viewing Station to look at the view looking down Lake Windermere. I was soon back on the bike again, you have to have a bit patience at this time of year on this bridleway up to High Wray, has a lot of folk who walk along this track do not realize that its cycle path as well and its a bit of honey pot in the summer months. At end of the bridleway, there was short section on the tarmac before turning on next off-road section from Low Wray to Hawkshead. There not much say about this route that not said else where on this website but as slowly improve with age so not going bore you with information about route which most folk can cycle along on touring bike, you may have to get off push the bike up small climb up to barn High Tock How but otherwise fairly easy route follow to Hawkshead where stop for some lunch. After my late lunch stop, I did detour through Hawkshead before following the B5285 towards Near Sawrey where you have option turning on to three sections of bridleway which run along side the B5285. From Near Sawrey, I followed the lanes down the Cunsey Valley to Eel House Bridge where I cross over Cunsey Beck, then short section on ‘B’ road before following the bridleway to Curnsey Bridge, where it was case retracing my morning route back to Graythwaite Hall and the ‘B’ road back to Lakeside and Newby Bridge, then heading back to my car at Chapel House Wood.

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