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Mountain biking trails

Scarth Gap Pass, Black Sail Pass and Seathwaite loop — The Lake District

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Scarth Gap Pass, Black Sail Pass and Seathwaite loop — The Lake District

Hard

5.0

(2)

riders

Scarth Gap Pass, Black Sail Pass and Seathwaite loop — The Lake District

04:10

28.0km

1,440m

Mountain biking

The Scarth Gap Pass, Black Sail Pass and Seathwaite loop offers a challenging mountain biking experience in the Lake District. This difficult 17.4-mile (28.0 km) route takes around 4 hours and 10 minutes to complete, with a significant elevation gain of 4728 feet (1441 metres). You will navigate diverse terrain,…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 458 m for 69 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.54 km

Little Gatesgarthdale Bridleway to Grange

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

Starting, as it does, half way up the Honister Pass, the bridleway along Little Gatesgarthdale provides welcome respite from the hellish climb you'll have just endured.

It's semi-technical, but it's …

Tip by

11.3 km

Scarth Gap Pass

Highlight (Segment) • Mountain Pass

With towering peaks on either side, Scarth Gap Pass lets you know in no uncertain terms that you are in proper mountain country.

It's an arduous, technical and occasionally unrideable …

Tip by

13.9 km

Black Sail Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

The Black Sail Pass connects two of Lakeland's most remote and spectacular valleys, the Mosedale branch of Wasdale and Ennerdale. Making use of the col between Pillar and Kirk Fell, …

Tip by

17.5 km

Wasdale Head Inn

Highlight • Pub

The Wasdale Head Inn is known to be the spiritual home of British climbing. From here the first pivotal climbing expeditions into the Lakes crags took place during the 'golden …

Tip by

28.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

13.0 km

12.1 km

2.72 km

150 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

17.0 km

5.66 km

2.29 km

1.86 km

862 m

284 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (540 m)

Lowest point (80 m)

Weather

Tuesday 14 July

26°C

12°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

March 30, 2024,Four Passes - Tour of Great Gable

The toughest 16 miles you will do with your bike. If you don't believe me give it a go and report back. Note: be prepared this is not for the faint hearted 🤘

August 22, 2025,Lakes. 4 passes loop from Borrowdale (Honister, Scarth, Black Sale & Styhead)

A very, very difficult route - much of the uphill is 'hike a bike' and downhills are very technical (given the extent of the downhill, they eventually hurt the body - well for a 62 years old they did!!). I wouldnt recommend using an e-bike, although it helps for some of the uphill, the bike eventually becomes a dead weight …

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Scarth Gap Pass, Black Sail Pass and Seathwaite loop — The Lake District

04:10h

28.0km

1,440m

Scarth Gap Pass, Black Sail Pass and Seathwaite loop — The Lake District

Little Gatesgarthdale Bridleway to Grange

Scarth Gap Pass

Black Sail Pass

Wasdale Head Inn

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