Keswick Cycle Path and Castlerigg Stone Circle

Route Essentials

Route Overview

Deep within the gorge cut by the River Derwent and then high on the fells overlooking Keswick this short cycle ride is a perfect day out on a bike. The pleasant cycleway which follows the bed of the old Keswick railway gives easy off-road riding and can be done either on a road bike or a mountain bike. This can then be linked with the fell lanes which cross the mouth of St John's in the Vale and Naddle Beck to gain the lofty perch occupied by the megalithic stone circle at Castlerigg to give a compact loop back to Keswick.

Route Details

1. From the road by the YHA head north east and cross the River Greta past Fitz Park to a sharp right turn. Follow the road round the bend for 200m to join the cycleway/path on the right. Follow the cycleway/path for 5km to reach the A66 just west of Threlkeld.

2. Carefully cross the A66 and follow the lane on the other side over Threlkeld Bridge for 1.9km to Naddle Beck. Cross the bridge over Naddle Beck and cycle up the short hill on the other side to a junction. Turn left and then turn right after 100m. Follow the lane to Castlerigg Stone Circle.

3. Once you have visited the stone circle return to the lane and continue heading down hill to join the A591. Turn left onto it and at the next junction carefully turn right and follow the A5271 alongside the River Derwent back into the centre of Keswick.

Route Information

Route Map

• Start point: (near Keswick)