Lake District motorcycle routes Ride Lake District.

Lake District motorcycle routes: what the riding is like

The Lake District packs a lot of variety into one national park. Fast, open A-roads sweep along valley floors, B-roads climb and drop between the fells, and a few steep passes rise to open moorland and fall away just as sharply. The park was established in 1951 and the central Lakes were made a World Heritage Site in 2017, so there is plenty to look at, and you will want the time to look.

Our Lake District motorcycle routes are ready-to-ride GPX files that load into any satnav. Each loop starts and finishes in the same place, and the routes are planned to avoid U-turns, dead ends, motorways and unpaved tracks. You get a road to follow without spending an evening with a map.

Lake District motorbike roads, from the lakes to the fringes

The central Lakes have the famous scenery and the busiest roads. Lakeshore stretches are scenic but slow, with long views across the water and plenty of traffic. The high passes are steeper and tighter, with sharp gradients, hairpins and short stretches of single track. Take them at a pace that lets you stop for oncoming traffic, and be ready to use a passing place.

For something quieter, look to the eastern and western fringes of Cumbria. Out towards the park’s eastern edge, and across the flatter country and coast to the west, the roads are wider, the villages smaller and the traffic thinner. If you want Cumbria motorcycle routes with room to breathe, these are the rides to pick, and they pair well with a central loop on a second day.

Riding the Lake District: seasons, livestock and practicalities

Summer and school holidays bring the most traffic, particularly on lakeshore roads, around the larger towns and anywhere with car parks and trailheads. Earlier starts and the quieter months help. Cars pull in without warning at viewpoints and lay-bys, so keep your speed down and your distance up.

Sheep roam freely on many unfenced roads and can step out from the verge, and farm traffic and herded animals are common causes of delay. The park’s own guidance is to take particular care near livestock and to allow extra time. Weather changes quickly on the high ground, so carry waterproofs even on a bright morning, and check conditions before a long day. Top up your tank in the larger towns before you set off.

Use the GPX as your guide and the road signs as your check. If a road is closed or a diversion is in place, follow the signs and rejoin the route when you can.

Lake District rides start from Ambleside, Cockermouth, Kendal, Keswick, Kirkby Lonsdale and Penrith.