+ 46
Helvellyn and the Old Coach Road
Mountain Biking Trail
Details
15.93 mi
3,493 ft
A big day out with a tough climb up to Helvellyn, a ridge-top adventure crossing the Dodds, fast grassy singletrack, and the great descent of the Old Coach Road to St John's in the Vale.
From Thirlspot Inn, follow the steep bridleway climbing up onto the fell, contouring around the side of Whiteside, and joining the Helvellyn ridge just below Lower Man. Take a quick(ish) diversion to the summit if you haven't been before to check out the view and stand atop the highest mountain you can legally ride in England with a bike, then retrace your steps and follow the ridge north past Stybarrow, Watson's, and Great Dodd. Small cairns guide the way down the steep grassy track over Matterdale Common, which gradually becomes more defined and less steep, turning to delightful singletrack all the way down to the Old Coach Road. Follow this great rough track predominantly downhill to St John's in the Vale, before a final road pedal back to Thirlmere. This route is best done after a period of dry weather as the descent from the ridge can be boggy when wet. Written by FATMAP Official
From Thirlspot Inn, follow the steep bridleway climbing up onto the fell, contouring around the side of Whiteside, and joining the Helvellyn ridge just below Lower Man. Take a quick(ish) diversion to the summit if you haven't been before to check out the view and stand atop the highest mountain you can legally ride in England with a bike, then retrace your steps and follow the ridge north past Stybarrow, Watson's, and Great Dodd. Small cairns guide the way down the steep grassy track over Matterdale Common, which gradually becomes more defined and less steep, turning to delightful singletrack all the way down to the Old Coach Road. Follow this great rough track predominantly downhill to St John's in the Vale, before a final road pedal back to Thirlmere. This route is best done after a period of dry weather as the descent from the ridge can be boggy when wet. Written by FATMAP Official
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteside Bank to Raise | 0.54 mi | 184 ft | 2.1% |
| Top of Raise from Col | 0.44 mi | 203 ft | 8.6% |
| Raise your game | 0.35 mi | 187 ft | 10.1% |
| Raise to sticks pass | 0.43 mi | -377 ft | -16.4% |
| Last descent before sticks | 0.42 mi | -387 ft | -17.3% |
| Bunny hops and bogs | 2.44 mi | -1,316 ft | -10.1% |
| Last dash to coach road | 1.10 mi | -417 ft | -7.1% |
| Chasing the Coach | 1.81 mi | -121 ft | -1.0% |
| Helvellyn old coach | 4.52 mi | -988 ft | -3.9% |
| Hut To Gate | 0.53 mi | -269 ft | -9.4% |
| hold on | 1.35 mi | -676 ft | -9.5% |
| Hausewell Brow Descent | 1.21 mi | -666 ft | -10.4% |
| Gate To Crossroad | 0.81 mi | -361 ft | -8.5% |
| Coach road - Gate to road descent | 1.34 mi | -676 ft | -9.5% |
| Coach rd final descent | 0.35 mi | -292 ft | -15.7% |
| St Johns last push | 1.30 mi | 59 ft | 0.9% |