Nan Bield Pass Route    Back to: Nan Bield Pass Route      Home

1. (0 miles)
The route starts on the dead end road at the far end of Staveley. To reach this by car take the second Staveley turn off and then the first left. Park here and start the ride at the dead and by continuing on the cycle track towards Windemere. Continue along the cycle track (on pavement of A591) for 1.1 miles to a right turn up Grassgarth Lane. A short steep climb brings you on tarmac to:
2. (1.4 miles) Turn right on to a grassy track with a wooden sign marked Public Bridleway. Follow this double/singletrack up to a gate and go straight on (1.7 miles). Carry straight on bearing left slightly past farm buildings. Follow double track as it bears left and then go straight on at (2.6 miles) this leads to a T junction at
3. (2.9 miles) bear right here and follow to gates at (3.25 miles) go right through metal gate and in to grassy field (signposted Public Bridleway Kentmere). This trail soon becomes an obvious single/doubletrack following the wall on your left and passing straight through two gates. Bear right slightly from singletrack climb at
4. (3.6 miles) on to a stony doubletrack which crosses a ford at (3.8 miles). Go through the gate at the other side, up short steep climb and follow the obvious trail through a further gate to a fast, rocky descent heading down in to Kentmere. Once at the bottom of here continue on road past Kentmere Hall, turning left immediately after stone walled bridge, B+B signpost says 'Maggs Howe'. Up steep tarmac, bear right twice, look for gate on left signed Bridleway to Longsleddale via Cocklaw Fell. Up steep tarmac, bear right twice, look for gate on left signed Bridleway to Longsleddale via Cocklaw Fell.
5. (6.1 miles)
Bear left following clearest singletrack across Fell, passing through wooden gate at (6.7 miles). Attempt dry-foot bog crossing then through gate with stile at (7.1 miles). Now you're heading down the left flank of Longsleddale, trail bears left and joins rocky doubetrack going right through gate at (8.1 miles). When you reach the farm at the bottom bear right and cross the hump back bridge over the river then turn left up the valley.
6. (8.5 miles)
This is Longsleddale. Head straight on up the track which starts as loose rock then becomes increasingly steep with 'edge on' cobbles. Go straight on through two gates the second of which may be locked. Soon the track gets really steep and all but the best will have to push for most of it. The top is reached at 11 miles. Bear right after another gate to begin the descent towards Haweswater Reservoir. Cross style/gate near bottom then follow trail round to right almost reaching the car park. Look for sign at corner of wall on left of trail pointing left, almost doubling back signposted Bridleway Kentmere. This trail begins as a rideable and quite promising singletrack, goes through a gate and quickly becomes more unrideable on it's way up to Small Water. Just keep going until you reach the Lake, there are no more obvious tracks to follow. Once you reach the lake at:
7. (13 miles)
Turn right across the stepping stones and follow singletrack around the right hand bank. Continue along trail as it climbs up becoming a boulder slope. Although the zigzags of this are hard to follow it is difficult to stray too far from the natural lie of the climb. follow until eventually the stone shelter at the top of the pass is reached. Go straight on down opposite side (check out the view of that singletrack, one of the longest and best in England)(14 miles and a lot of carrying). Half a dozen steep, tight switchbacks lead down to a gentle breather before a nasty rock drop which should be treated with caution. From there follow the rock studded singletrack above and past Kentmere Reservoir. Continue to follow this trail until you reach a tarmac road and farm at:
8. (16.8 miles)
Crossing a peat section and at least three fords on the way. Notice this incredible trail is mostly downhill and almost three miles long. At the farm bear right through iron gate, do not climb tarmac hill. Go straight from gate even though first hundred yards is indistinct, soon becomes sweet grass trail between hedged banks. Follow on in same direction through several gates and one ford (or over stone slab to stay dry) until finally the trail climbs a short pitch and re-joins the road at
9. (18 miles)
From trail here bear right on to tarmac which soon climbs to cross roads from earlier (Maggs Howe). Go on down tarmac passing by entrance to Cocklaw Fell Bridleway. Take care of on-coming traffic on narrow road, soon feeds on to local road following River Kent back to Staveley. When you reach the Staveley T-junction turn right and follow back to start/finish at (23 miles).
Notes
The Gatescarth Pass is closed to all horses and motorised vehicles at present. This is said to be in order to protect the fragile path from erosion. The gates at either end are locked with hefty combination padlocks and so you will need to lift your bikes over the top. The "Fix The Fells" Project is currently working to restore the natural beauty and sustainability of dozens of trails in the Lake District. They need donations to help with the work and every pound donated will be matched with twice as much lottery funded money! To find out more and make a contribution visit: www.fixthefells.co.uk.
We don't make a habit of putting warnings on the site but one section on the descent from the Nan Bield Pass is worth a mention. Near the bottom of the steep section (Matt is shown at the top of below): there is a short steep and rocky pitch you need to be skilled to attempt safely. Matt made it, but so far from civilisation the rest of us gave it a miss. It's only around twenty yards, so you may wish to do the same.