Keswick – Brundholme Bridge loop from Keswick

Bike touring routes & trails

Keswick – Brundholme Bridge loop from Keswick

Hard

4.8

(8)

118

riders

Keswick – Brundholme Bridge loop from Keswick

03:00

47.1km

480m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 27, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 245 m for 111 m

After 46.8 km for 111 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

283 m

Portinscale Suspension Footbridge

Highlight • River

The main road from Keswick to Cockermouth used to take you through the village of Portinscale via a two arched stone bridge known as the Long Bridge. There were plans to replace it in 1911 but these plans were opposed and it was not until it was damaged by floods in 1954 that it was replaced initially by a temporary metal structure. When the road was built to bypass the village in the 1960's a new road bridge was built further downstream and the current suspension bridge was built for pedestrians only allowing people to access Portinscale across the fields known as the Howrahs.

Tip by

1.93 km

Keswick

Highlight • Settlement

Found a few miles from the banks of Derwentwater Lake, Keswick is one of the most famous towns in the Lake District. Here, you will find a huge number of cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops.

A market town since 1276, Keswick hosts a market on Saturday and Thursdays near Moot Hall, the Tourist Information Centre. Keswick also has many cultural attractions such as the Keswick Museum and Art Gallery, the Theatre by the Lake and various festivals. You can find more information about the town, here: keswick.org

Tip by

4.29 km

Bobbin Mill Tunnel

Highlight • Structure

This is really cool, and well taken care of

Tip by

6.34 km

Brundholme Bridge

Highlight • Cycleway

Recently replaced bridge on the Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail. The old bridge was damaged beyond repair by Storm Desmond in 2015. Its replacement is actually 20m longer than the original.

Tip by

7.35 km

Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Path Cutting

Highlight • Trail

This section of the Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Path is particularly impressive, as the route runs through a cutting with steep sides cut into the mudstone and siltstones of the Kirk Stile Formation.

Tip by

8.03 km

River Greta

Highlight • Natural

A tributary of the River Derwent, River Greta is a pretty river that flows through Cumbria, passing trough Keswick on its way. Its name comes from the Old Norse "Griota" which means stony stream. The pretty river is home to many species of wildlife such as otters, water voles, trout and hedge hogs. Along the river, you will find many idyllic campsites and cafes.

Tip by

14.5 km

Mill Plantation

Forest

15.7 km

Thirlmere Lakeside Road

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

Great, almost traffic-free route round the quiet side of Thirlmere. Easy going on a flat road before the climb up to Dunmail Raise.

Tip by

39.7 km

Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Reopened in December 2020 following major repair to damage caused by Storm Desmond in December 2015.

Very smooth tarmac suitable for all users but road cyclists and other riders need to be careful in wet and slippy conditions.

It also gets very busy at weekends, but even then not busy there are always walkers, runners and dogs off leads.

Just take your time, but if it is too busy, better to take the alternative route via Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Tip by

47.1 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types