The best cycling routes around Copeland

Copeland offers a wide variety of touring cycling routes, with over 250 options available. These routes cater to all skill levels, including 42 easy rides, 120 moderate paths, and 89 challenging tours for experienced cyclists.

Yes, Copeland has several easy touring cycling routes perfect for beginners or families. For a gentle ride with scenic views, consider the Santon Bridge and Gosforth loop from Seascale. The area around Ennerdale Water also offers peaceful, flat, and sheltered trails, though some sections may require bikes with off-road tires due to varied surfaces.

For experienced touring cyclists seeking a challenge, Copeland offers routes with significant elevation gain and demanding ascents. The Keswick and Buttermere loop from Whitehaven is a difficult option, covering over 100 km with substantial climbing. Another demanding route is the Hardknott Pass and Seathwaite loop from Ravenglass, which includes the infamous Hardknott Pass, known for its steep gradients and stunning scenery.

Many touring cycling routes in Copeland are circular, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Popular options include the View of Wast Water – Lakeside Road by Wast Water loop from Gosforth, which offers beautiful lake views, and the Ennerdale Bridge and Egremont loop from St Bees, exploring both inland and coastal areas.

Copeland's touring cycling routes showcase a diverse range of landscapes. You'll encounter dramatic valleys like Ennerdale and Wasdale, serene lakes such as Wastwater and Ennerdale Water, and the stunning coastline along the St Bees Heritage Coast. Routes also traverse forests, fells, and historic towns, offering a rich variety of scenery from rolling hills to towering peaks.

Copeland is rich in attractions. You can cycle past historic Muncaster Castle, explore the charming towns of Whitehaven and St Bees, or take in the views from St Bees Head, the most westerly point in Northern England. For natural landmarks, Wastwater is recognized as Britain's favorite view, and you can find several waterfalls like Stanley Ghyll Force Waterfall and Cam Spout Waterfall along certain routes.

Yes, Copeland's St Bees Heritage Coast provides impressive coastal views. The Wastwater & Seascale loop offers a mix of lakeside scenery and coastal vistas near Seascale. You can also experience the coastline along sections of the Hadrian's Cycleway, which passes through Whitehaven and St Bees.

The touring cycling routes in Copeland are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 210 reviews. Reviewers often praise the region's dramatic and varied landscapes, from tranquil lakeshores to challenging mountain passes, and the opportunity to explore historic towns and natural beauty.

While many routes are day trips, Copeland is part of the wider Lake District network and connects to long-distance trails. The Hadrian's Cycleway passes through the area, and St Bees serves as a starting point for sections of the popular C2C (Coast to Coast) cycle route, offering opportunities for extended touring.

The best time for touring cycling in Copeland is generally from spring to autumn (April to October) when the weather is milder and daylight hours are longer. Summer offers the warmest temperatures, but spring and autumn can provide beautiful scenery with fewer crowds. Always be prepared for changeable weather in the Lake District, regardless of the season.

Absolutely. Copeland encompasses parts of the Lake District National Park, including the stunning Wasdale Valley, home to Wastwater, and the remote Ennerdale Valley. The View of Wast Water – Wast Water loop from Eskdale allows you to explore the area around Wastwater. While some valley routes can be challenging, they offer unparalleled views of towering peaks like Pillar and Great Gable.

Yes, several routes allow you to explore Copeland's historic settlements. The Workington and Cockermouth loop from Whitehaven starts from the historic port town of Whitehaven. St Bees is another attractive village that serves as a gateway to coastal routes and sections of the C2C.