+ 187
Sty Head and Stake Pass
Mountain Biking Trail
Hard
20.72 mi
3,936 ft
A very difficult route for expert riders used to big mountain riding, including two massive hike-a-bike climbs and two steep, technical and rocky descents will delight those who are up to the challenge.
From the parking area near the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale, ride out on the rough track along Mickleden Beck to the head of the valley. Once across the footbridge, get your bike comfortable on your back as it'll be there for a while. Climb up the steep, stepped, rocky path leading up Rossett Ghyll, enjoying seeing the faces of bemused walkers. A short technical descent leads to Angle Tarn before another series of steep ups and downs heading towards Sty Head. The scenery here is incredible, with Bowfell, Esk Pike, Great End and Great Gable dominating the high skyline. After a frustratingly awkward section of stream crossings and jumbled rocks, the descent to Seathwaite via Stockley Bridge ranks as one of the best in the Lakes for those competent enough to ride it. Steep rock steps and slabs, tight corners - simply fantastic. A pleasant road section to Rosthwaite leads to a lovely bridleway following Langstrath Beck up to the killer climb of Stake Pass. Once again it's bike-on-the-back time to the top, but then a great snaking rocky and technical singletrack descent back to the ride out down Mickleden Beck back to Langdale. Written by FATMAP Official
From the parking area near the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale, ride out on the rough track along Mickleden Beck to the head of the valley. Once across the footbridge, get your bike comfortable on your back as it'll be there for a while. Climb up the steep, stepped, rocky path leading up Rossett Ghyll, enjoying seeing the faces of bemused walkers. A short technical descent leads to Angle Tarn before another series of steep ups and downs heading towards Sty Head. The scenery here is incredible, with Bowfell, Esk Pike, Great End and Great Gable dominating the high skyline. After a frustratingly awkward section of stream crossings and jumbled rocks, the descent to Seathwaite via Stockley Bridge ranks as one of the best in the Lakes for those competent enough to ride it. Steep rock steps and slabs, tight corners - simply fantastic. A pleasant road section to Rosthwaite leads to a lovely bridleway following Langstrath Beck up to the killer climb of Stake Pass. Once again it's bike-on-the-back time to the top, but then a great snaking rocky and technical singletrack descent back to the ride out down Mickleden Beck back to Langdale. Written by FATMAP Official
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View Climb | 0.20 mi | 308 ft | 27.8% |
| Rossett Pike Mini DH | 0.18 mi | -141 ft | -14.0% |
| Angle Tarn to Esk Hause Climb | 0.79 mi | 528 ft | 12.3% |
| B5289 Climb | 0.34 mi | 305 ft | 16.4% |
| B5289 Climb | 0.28 mi | 312 ft | 20.4% |
| Esk Hause to Styhead Pass | 1.32 mi | -827 ft | -11.8% |
| Top of First Decent | 0.37 mi | -276 ft | -14.2% |
| Endurotron | 3.55 mi | -1,903 ft | -10.2% |
| Sprinkling Tarn to Styhead tarn | 0.90 mi | -518 ft | -10.9% |
| Sty Head Mini DH | 0.52 mi | -138 ft | -4.8% |
| Hang on tight, this is going to hurt! | 0.60 mi | -456 ft | -14.3% |
| Rattle and Hum | 0.65 mi | -669 ft | -19.3% |
| Styhead DH to stream. | 0.33 mi | -325 ft | -18.7% |
| Stockley Bridge Final Descent | 0.20 mi | -269 ft | -24.6% |
| Stockley Bridge gate to gate | 0.20 mi | -256 ft | -24.1% |
| Stockley Bridge DT | 0.63 mi | -180 ft | -5.3% |
| Bash down the Valley | 0.66 mi | -151 ft | -4.3% |
| Seathwaite to Seatoller | 1.11 mi | -36 ft | -0.2% |
| Langstrath Corner | 0.28 mi | 66 ft | 4.0% |
| Langstrath 1st Gate | 0.95 mi | 151 ft | 2.3% |
| Langstrath Gate To Bridge | 0.97 mi | 138 ft | 2.6% |
| Stake Pass Climb | 1.02 mi | 804 ft | 14.8% |
| Stakes Pass (Up) | 0.47 mi | 689 ft | 27.5% |
| Stake Pass | 1.23 mi | -1,004 ft | -15.4% |
| stake decent seggy | 1.10 mi | -912 ft | -15.6% |
| taking some stick! | 0.63 mi | -705 ft | -21.0% |