KILOMETRES
DAYS
METRES CLIMBED
MILES
This section starts at Arnside Pier. It sounds grand but it's smaller than expected being a 20 metre stone structure that juts into the estuary. From the pier the ride sweeps the bay heading briefly inland before extensive views to the left of Morecambe Bay and the fells. Swinging north and inland, you pass through pretty agricultural land, which is very flat with only 2 small climbs. The lanes are narrowish and full of cyclists. It gets a little busier around Levens Hall where you join the A6, however most traffic is on the A590 and there is a stretch of pavement to use. Through Levens and some cycling infrastructure kicks in. There is a cyclepath and bridge built for cyclists that parallels the A590 and a route under the A590 that is controlled by a traffic light specifically for cyclists. After this you have one more climb before arriving on the outskirts of Grange. The Cumbrian Cycleway and the newer Sustrans routes (70 and 700) enter Grange along the road. However it is highly recommended to enter via the promenade but you need to walk your bike for a section
You exit Ravenglass via narrow walkway strapped to the side of the railway bridge. This drops to a short length of rough track close to the shore that affords good views back to the village after which you hit tarmac to head inland crossing the railway to join the A595. Heading left and through Drigg the route heads to the coast to arrive at Seascale where there are great views not only across the beach but also up the coast where you’ll see the chimneys of the now decommissioned nuclear plant at Sellafield. The Cycleway now heads along the coast, almost literally as it follows a narrow path between sea and rail. You’ll ride on either matting, tarmac, paving slabs or a compacted surface, but there are sections of sand, which can easily bring you to a halt so take care. The views though are excellent as you approach Sellafield where just before the bridge the tarmac path has given way to coastal erosion. Beware of basking adders in this area so hopefully you won’t encounter any before you cross a small bridge and head inland by Sellafield Station. You are now heading along the Western edge of the double fenced Sellafield and inside it’s being taken apart but its ball like reactor is still visible. Route 72 goes right to follow the fence but you continue to a roundaboutwhere you pass through a gap to cycle a very quiet lane to Beckermet, where route 72 rejoins. The road to Egrement is a closed road and has been for 15 years as the river is undermining it. As you reach the top you descend into the town where you turn left by the castle. If you were to continue it's close to a high street with many amenities. The climb out of Egrement to St Bees is long and quite steep in place, the short descent to the town even steeper which drops you on a main street to descend further bottoming out at the railway. St Bees is an attractive place and you pass the school on the right carved from the Red Sandstone so common in this area. This primes you another climb that is quite busy and a long climb. To your right in the valley is the train line and beyond that a lower quieter climb. You descend into the major town at Whitehaven, though there is one shorter climb. Houses are laid out in estates on the hillsides. It was an industrial town but your arrival at the marina and Beacon centre shows a lot of work has been done in recent years to make this an attractive destination
You exit Ravenglass via narrow walkway strapped to the side of the railway bridge. This drops to a short length of rough track close to the shore that affords good views back to the village after which you hit tarmac to head inland crossing the railway to join the A595.Heading left and through Drigg the route heads to the coast to arrive at Seascale where there are great views not only across the beach but also up the coast where you’ll see the chimneys of the now decommissioned nuclear plant at Sellafield.The Cycleway now heads along the coast, almost literally as it follows a narrow path between sea and rail. You’ll ride on either matting, tarmac, paving slabs or a compacted surface, but there are sections of sand, which can easily bring you to a halt so take care. The views though are excellent as you approach Sellafield where just before the bridge the tarmac path has given way to coastal erosion. Beware of basking adders in this area so hopefully you won’t encounter any before you cross a small bridge and head inland by Sellafield Station.You are now heading along the Western edge of the double fenced Sellafield and inside it’s being taken apart but its ball like reactor is still visible. Route 72 goes right to follow the fence but you continue to a roundaboutwhere you pass through a gap to cycle a very quiet lane to Beckermet, where route 72 rejoins.The road to Egrement is a closed road and has been for 15 years as the river is undermining it. As you reach the top you descend into the town where you turn left by the castle. If you were to continue it's close to a high street with many amenities.The climb out of Egrement to St Bees is long and quite steep in place, the short descent to the town even steeper which drops you on a main street to descend further bottoming out at the railway. St Bees is an attractive place and you pass the school on the right carved from the Red Sandstone so common in this area. This primes you another climb that is quite busy and a long climb. To your right in the valley is the train line and beyond that a lower quieter climb. You descend into the major town at Whitehaven, though there is one shorter climb. Houses are laid out in estates on the hillsides. It was an industrial town but your arrival at the marina and Beacon centre shows a lot of work has been done in recent years to make this an attractive destination
It’s a flat run to Carlisle and hopefully a Westerley wind will push you along.Very close to the start it is worth looking for the small sign to the Hadrian’s Wall Walk on a house wall. This leads to a shelter with good views over the Solway and is the start of the walk, you will see folks walking along as you cycle to Carlisle.The route has good views of the sea as you ride a road with plenty of warning signs of flooding. The small climbs take you over road junctions.As you approach Carlisle the views become agricultural again but don’t miss the statue of Edward 1st who died close to here on 7th July 1307 on the way to battle. He was taken to St Michael’s church and you will pass this on the right at Burgh on Sands. If you want to make a triple, if you take the left turn in the village, marked cycle route, you can do a circular ride to the monument where he fell on the left in a fieldYou enter Carlisle via a large roundabout and it’s best to take the cyclepath to the right that continues into Carlisle, stopping just as the road rises. Care, as it’s tricky to cross back to the left.Things get interesting here. If you are taking route 72, it’s easy as it continues on the road to the centre of Carlisle. However as this is the Cumbria Cycleway taking the original is worth it.Shortly after entering town, you will pass Marconi Road into the industrial estate. The cyclepath did go that way to the river but although the barriers to the path remain someone has put concrete blocks and barbed wire at the end, so you can’t get to the River Derwent. However undeterred try this. Take the third left junction afterwards. This leads to a track called Engine Lonning that I think led to Waverley Bridge which is an impressive viaduct over the River Derwent and still standing. It’s a bit of a fiddle to find the bridge, as you need to go under it along the river park. Basically keep straight along the track, at the bottom keep going broadly straight to the riverside path, go right, down steps and under the bridge.This leads to the Hadrian’s Wall path (marked) It starts narrow then widens and follows the River all the way to Eden Bridge on the edge of Bitts Park. I can’t ascertain if you can still cycle this (is it just a footpath?) but if you go this way, it’s an excellent way into Carlisle
The start at Eden Bridge isn't particularly easy to find especially as it's a pretty short indistinct bridge. The best way to find it is either head for the Athletics stadium or better still; it’s at the western edge of Bitts Park close to the CastleHowever the exit out of Carlisle works an absolute treat and has been adopted by the Hadrian’s Wall cycleway so follow route 72 signs. It runs through Bitts Park and the avenue of trees are still there (described in the original guide), under the road bridge and past the school. It then crosses a pedestrian bridge to enter Rickerby Park to go around the most enormous monument and so ends CarlisleAlong a lane towards Rickerby, where a cyclepath has been added on the left that separates the route from the lane. Rejoining the lane, you cross the M6 after which you arrive at the A689. You are still on the Hadrian’s Wall cyclepath so you don't need to touch the roundabout as it enters on the right where the path goes down the right hand side. There are 3 Cumbrian Cycleway Signs as a bonus here, untouched by the angle grinders.On the road from Crosby on Eden there is the option to take the Hadrian’s Wall path to Brampton. It's been put in recently and involves a sustrans built piece of cycle only infrastructure. However it is quite tortuous and lumpy. The alternative is the Cumbrian Cycleway which does a 2 mile section of the A689. It is however very busy now, there are gutters pushing you out from the side and no shoulder. It's a shame there is no cyclepath. This saves about 30 minutes but the 72 should be taken ideally.Brampton is a small but pretty market town. There is an information centre, some cafes, toilets close to the centre in the car park and an extraordinary independent food shop.You leave Brampton heading south. The road is well surfaced, rolls along gently and is a super ride.You will start to see the Northern Pennines rising up on the left and the Lakes on the right with Skiddaw the highest elevation on the right hand side the road will rise and fall though not dramatically to pass through Castle Garrock before finishing at Newbiggin. There is one interesting diversion near the end where the cycleway passed through the pretty village of Cumrew. The signs are still there at both sides surfaces removed.
The scenery on this section continues as it did before with views of the Lakeland Fells on the right whilst being in the shadow of the Peninnes on the left. It's just all pretty, with some long descents and a number of climbs.If you have time, Long Meg Stone Circle is worth a visit. Long Meg is the tallest stone in the circle at 12 feet high.Langwathby has a pub on the green on the right, a shop that is easy to miss as tucked on the left and a shelter on the green
You start with a short but steep climb out of Langwathby past the station on your right. Your reward is a delightful quiet lane that climbs gradually towards the Pennines to Kirkland via Skirwith with lovely views all around.The route then turns southerly for a descent past Blencarn Lake and into the small settlement of Blencarn.You are now at the base of the Peninnes to your left and the route zig zags its way through fields under the shadow of the hills to your left passing through Milburn and Knock before arriving at Dufton. Milburn has a large green around which the original village was built and a Maypole sets of the particularly attractive village.Dufton has a Youth Hostel and a pub but no shop. Having passed through, you reach Appleby-in-Westmoreland, a very attractive town with shops and cafes.
The ride starts from railway to the north of the centre of Appleby-in-Westmorland. You descend towards the town to bear right into the centre. It's an attractive place with many older buildings worth a look. You cycle up Boroughgate, a wide main street. It is marked by two pillars at the top and the bottom. The one at the bottom is an 18th century copy of the 17th century one at the top where you will bear right to leave town.Heading out you will gradually climb admiring the wonderful views to the left on a road that more resembles a whole series of roller coasters. The hills to your left are the Peninnes and as with much of the Eden Valley this is an agricultural area for both sheep and dairy cattle.Descending through Soulby you'll climb towards Kirkby Stephen and when you arrive, you'll head right along its attractive High Street to finish at the Tourist Information on the left hand side.
Starting from the information centre at Kirkby Stephen you head south along Market Street passing shops, cafes and an outdoor shop, because this is also on the coast to coast walking route. Heading left close to the end of town you are heading towards Nateby with lovely views of the Pennines on the left.You are now on the road to Garsdale Head that is the longest climb of the route and also the highest, however this is not a hard climb, aside a couple of short harder pulls up hill. What you will experience is a gradual incline through fields, with The Pennines on your left and the railway getting increasingly closer on the right, which you will eventually cross. Bear in mind that you will finish below Garsdale Head Station, which gives a good indication, of just how benign this climb is.The section ends having dipped in and out of Lancashire at Garsdale Head Station
This sections starts at the road leading from Garsdale Head railway station. Head downhill to the A684 to head down to the valley. The Cumbrian Cycleway used the A Road all the way, but it is worth taking the old road, signed Grisedale close to the start as it's quieter but also affords lovely views across the valley of ruined barns, fields and the railway line on the other side. Maybe the reason it wasn't included was because of the steep descent back to the road.From here the route continues through the hamlet of Garsdale with a pretty church before flattening out and heading towards Sedbergh. There is nothing of any interest on this section aside the lovely views. The road itself isn't very busy.You arrive at Sedbergh, a pretty town which advertises itself as a book town. There isn't a tremendous amount here, but enough to distract you for an hour on a bike trip.
Starting from Sedbergh the route heads west and out of the town along the A684, from where it turns left along the A683. Although these are A Roads the traffic is reasonably light and you are travelling initially downhill including the initial A684.The ride heads down the Middleton Valley and is a fairy easy ride with one short climb. Crossing the River Lune you are one quieter roads. The bridge over the river is single carriageway and afterwards you climb to the T junction to access a quiet lane heading south towards Kirkby Lonsdale. This area is farming country, so you will be accompanied by sheep and grassland. You will pass the impressive gate of Rigmaden House on the left and if you look back you can just seen the house that you will also have seen from the river. The fencing close to here is 3 barred metal, a sign of investment and a country house.There is medium run in to Kirkby Lonsdale as you pass through the outskirts before finishing in its bustling centre. If you want to explore further from the finish, head further south of the finish to bear left to Devils Bridge, but be very careful of the A65 as this is busy, but the bridge is on a cycle route and you can walk the pavement to get there.
There are a few big roads around Kirkby Stephen but this route has a cunning way out.Heading out from the centre you cross the A65 by a dedicated cyclepath. It’s not particularly easy as there is a lot of traffic on this road, but the infrastructure remains.There follows quite a climb through narrow lanes and seemingly endless sheep to the appropriately named Hutton Roof. The route then drops to cross the M6 and then the A6, as well as a canal.You will hit flatter lanes near Arnside and then something most peculiar, new signs for the Cumbria Cycleway appear. My suspicion is that you are now in Lancashire and the neighbouring county are still under the impression that it still exists much like the Lancashire Cycleway.On the edge of Arnside you turn into the town for a climb up Briary Bank and then descend back to the shore and the end of this section.
Places that will take a few hours
Staring from Arnside the first major place you pass is Holker Hall where you can relax in the gardens overlooking Morecambe Bay. If you enjoyed the antics of Laurel and hardy, Stan was born in Ulverston and a Museum is dedicated to his momory.
Exiting Barrow-in-Furness you pass Furness Abbey Founded almost 900 years ago it was once the largest and wealthiest Abbey in the North East.
Ravenglass was the start of Hadrian's Wall and the remains of the bath house built in AD 130 for the fort can be visited. For a longer day out the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway has its terminus in the seaside village at the end of section 5.
Whitehaven has had a fair amount of regeneration, though it was a Georgian town with some fine architecture. The Beacon Museum features local history and is situated on the extensive marina.
Maryport is full of interest. There is an Aquarium, a Maritime Museum and a Roman museum which features the largest collection of Roman altar stones in Britain.
Carlisle has a lot to see, there is a Castle that incorporates a military museum as well as the galleries and exhibitions at Tullie House
Heading south through the Eden Valley there is little to while away a few hours, however you should consider stopping at two locations. Abbeytown has the remains of Holme Cultram Abbey where 1/3 of the orriginal is still standing. There is a small exhibition inside. After this there is an impressive Stone Circle comprising 69 stones and Long Meg whom is 4 metres high
Places on passing
If you don't want to spend a few hours on larger attractions there are a variety of things to stop and look at.
On section 4 at Duddon Bridge is Duddon Iron Furnace. It's slightly off the route and is a furnace built in 1736. As you approach Millom the Medieval Church on the right is worth a look. Egrement has a small ruined castle with free access on section 6.
The Romans are in evidence at Mile Fortlet 11 which is just to the right of the cyclepath on section 8, as well as the bathhouse (see above) at Ravenglass.
The following is on section 10 as you pass through Burgh by Sands. It was here that Edward 1st (Longshanks) died and there is a Statue and a church which commemorates him and you can see where he was laid to rest. If you want to immerse yourself in more history, the site of his death is marked by a monument, but you need to detour a few kilometres.
Through Carlisle and heading south, there are the views and towns. However on the road to Garsdale Head lies Pendragon Castle this small ruin is accessed by a gate and is a very short walk. It's an impressive ruin and worth 20 minutes of your time. At the top the Methodist Chapel is worth a glance to your left.
There are multiple B&B's, pubs and hotels along this route, so I would suggest an internet search.
Campsites
These campsites were used when the tour was completed in 2021
Campsites are a different matter and breaking this down is problematical but possible. The starting point at Arnide has a very good campsite at Gibraltar Farm. This large campsite has excellent facilities and great views of the coast as well as a dedicated camping field for small units as well as being flat.
The next campsite is at Millom or more precisely Haverigg. Harbour Lights is a flat site with a shower and toilet block. It's south of Millom, but just off the Cumbria Cycleway.
The problem though is the distance between Arnside and Millom which is 80 miles, so you may need to access something in between.
Heading up the west coast Spring Lea Holiday Centre in Allonby has flat sites and a camping area close to the play park
Through Carlisle and in my opinion a splendid small site at Blea Tarn Farm Designed for walkers as on Hadrian's wall, it has a dedicated small area for small tents and is very reasonably priced
The last campsite is at Long Marston, Alanholme is a superb smaller site that even has its own kitchen with a kettle and toaster for camping use.
There is quite an extensive rail network that covers this route, mostly thanks to Sellafield, which avoided being shut because of the need to transport nuclear material along the west coast. Stations are on the map
Car
The M6 runs close to Cumbria giving multiple options. If you are doing this, it's best to avoid the main A595 road that runs the west side of the fells. I'd suggest you start in Carlisle or Arnside
There is very little on the route itself. Cumbria County Council seems to have tried to eliminate all references
There is though a book that can still be bought second hand. The Cumbria Cycleway was written in 1992 and is a very detailed book on the route as it was though does major on geology. It's ISBN is 978-1852841065
There are multiple towns that you pass through which have information on places to stay and things to do in the area. There are shops and cafes in these places
Arnside
Grange over Sands
Ulverston a very good resource, includes maps
Barrow in Furness Visit Cumbria Website - a few advertisements
Millom Visit Cumbria Website - a few advertisements
Ravenglass Visit Cumbria Website - a few advertisements
Egrement Town Council Website
Whitehaven Good website
Workington Visit Cumbria Website - a few advertisements
Maryport Visit Cumbria Website - a few advertisements
Silloth Visith Lake District Website
Carlisle good web site
Brampton Lake District Website
Appleby-in-Westmoreland Site specific to the town
Kirkby Stephen Site specific to the town
Sedbergh Site specific to the town
Kirkby Lonsdale Site specific to the town
Arnside to Grange
Grange to Ulverston
Ulverston to Ireleth
Ireleth to Millom
Ireleth to Ravenglass
Ravenglass to Whitehaven
Whitehaven to Maryport
Maryport to Silloth
Silloth to Bowness-on-Solway
Bowness-on-Solway to Carlisle
Carlisle to Newbiggin
Newbiggin to Langwathby
Langwathby to Appleby-in-Westmoreland
Appleby-in-Westmoreland to Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen to Garsdale Head
Garsdale Head to Sedbergh
Sedbergh to Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen to Arnside