Keswick
Trail submitted by Jason Thomas
Description:
The longest, maddest DH in the UK, no argument. Be warned though, the walk up is a killer and the descent is mental - beginners will hate it! Off-road, DownHill, Uphill
Directions:
To the Start:
From Keswick Town Centre, head north over the river bridge and take the first Right. After about 1/2 mile, take the road to the right (before a petrol station) and continue up it for about 100 yards. Park on side of road. Start of trail is a unmettalled road on the left.
Route Description:
The only way to get to the start is up, up and up some more (2745 feet) and will take 2 hours plus, but it really is worth the effort - all other downhills pale in insignificance. Before starting, make sure you take enough clothing, it may be a warm day at the bottom but it is usually pretty arctic at the summit.
The bottom part of the climb around and up Latrigg is rideable if you're determined. Follow the dirt bridleway up for about 1.5 miles until you reach the main car park for Skiddaw. When you get to the car park, the gate you need to take is in the top right hand corner. Turn left through the gate and follow the bridleway through the fields. Where the field opens up, turn left and follow the main bridleway up Jenkin Hill (the big bugger in front of you). Once again, the bridleway at the top of Jenkin Hill is rideable, and can be ridden for the next mile. Follow this around Little Man, through the gate and up to the summit. When there, simply turn (after a rest, of course) and ride back down.
The descent splits into four very different sections:
- The initial descent to the first gate is silly fast,
- The next part being quite pedally with some excellent drop-offs, evil ruts and a chance to build up some good speed for...
- The descent from hell - Jenkin Hill is big, rocky, VERY steep, gnarly, uncontrollably fast and scary.
- The last part of the descent is round Latrigg, on the swoopy dirt bridleway through the woods. Although fast and in places rocky, this seems relaxing after Skiddaw, but is really enjoyable.
Once you're back at the start and hopefully in one piece, I guarantee that you will be buzzing like mad from the adrenaline buzz and planning your next trip.
Small Print: No author nor the editor shall bear any responsibility for any mishap, injury, death or other incident or inconvenience suffered whilst riding any of the routes described. Anybody following any such route does so entirely at their own risk. Anybody wishing to ride on footpaths or other non-permitted routes does so entirely by their own risk.