Avoid the traffic mayhem that a sunny day in the Lakes can attract, ride around the perimeter of the National Park and explore the lesser known roads. From the start at Carnforth you'll soon be cutting across the Cartmel and Furness peninsulas where sheep farming rules. There are some outstanding views from high ground towards Morecambe Bay. A coffee stop at The Square Cafe in Broughton in Furness sets you up for the next section.
After crossing the River Duddon the route climbs and climbs on a steep narrow lane to reach the highest point of the route at Stoneside Hill. The 360° panoramic views are breathtaking as are the views towards the Irish Sea on the descent.
The A595 gives you more great views of the Lake District fells (hills) over your right shoulder as it takes you to Calder Bridge. The peaceful tranquility of Calder Bridge hides the radioactive waste processing plant of Sellafield just a few hundred metres away to your left.
Turning inland away from the coast the route starts to climb again and you'll reach the Blakeley Raise Stone Circle just a few metres from the roadside. On the surface, it's a fairly typical Cumbrian Bronze Age stone circle but the story of the circle and even the stones themselves is rather murky. Sometime in the 18th century a local farmer is said to have dismantled some or all of a stone circle on land owned by 'Standing Stones' farm and reused them as gate posts! Again, 360° views of a beautiful wild landscape.
Staying on the smaller lesser known roads the route takes you passed Loweswater. Nestled in a wooded valley in the far west of the Lake District, in the Vale of Lorton, Loweswater is a peaceful lake that is often bypassed. At approximately 1 mile in length, 1/2 mile wide and 60 feet deep, it is one of the smaller lakes. Loweswater is unique within the Lake District, as it is the only lake that drains towards the center of Lakeland.
You'll climb again on small lanes lined with a mixture of hedges and drystone walls to Whinlatter Pass. The only famous pass that this route uses. At the top of the pass in the Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre, with information and CCTV of the nearby ospreys, a gift shop, and a restaurant. A guide to the forest shows the fourteen miles of road suitable for walkers and cyclists, as well as many other paths for walkers. There are some spectacular views across the fells and forests of Northern Lakeland.
The pass will take you into Keswick where you can park your motorcycle in a secure place and access the popular Oddfellows Arms from the rear for lunch from a well stocked menu.
After lunch you'll pass the Castlerigg Stone Circle where you can stop for a photo. Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles, with panoramic views and the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop. It is also among the earliest British circles, raised in about 3000 BC during the Neolithic period.
A short section of the A66 quickly takes you to Troutbeck after passing Roman earthworks marking where a camp and fort once stood.
More high ground with yet more views lead you to Ullswater and Pooley Bridge. Ullswater is the second largest of the lakes after Windermere. Pooley Bridge straddles the River Eamont at the head of Ullswater in the picturesque Eden Valley. The town's two wide main streets are lined with greystone houses and a number of tea shops, all overlooking the lake. The bridge itself is the UK's first stainless steel road bridge, measuring 128 ft long, the landmark structure reconnects the Ullswater valley with a permanent bridge to replace the 18th Century stone structure destroyed during Storm Desmond in December 2015.
The route heads in a southerly direction now and crosses over the M6 motorway that separates The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. The picturesque village of Orton is a popular spot with a pub, café and Kennedy’s Chocolate Factory. The village has the distinctive white towered All Saints Church, and bridges cross the two becks which enclose a central green surrounded by cottages. It is a unique, peaceful and unspoilt village.
The next few miles are spent crossing the M6 back and forth before joining the A683 that will take you to The Devil's Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale.
Spanning the River Lune to the south and east of Kirkby Lonsdale is Devil’s Bridge. This magnificent three-arched bridge, probably dates from the 12th or 13th century, and is now a scheduled ancient monument. A popular haunt for motorcycle enthusiasts who congregate at weekends in the adjoining parking area to discuss all things mechanical over a mug of hot tea and a bacon butty, Devil’s Bridge was once the only bridge over the Lune for miles and formed part of the busy west-bound route into the town. Bikers are particularly attracted to testosterone, burgers, tea and coffee, all of which are amply available here; but what makes this site especially alluring is the local bye-law that says only bikes can park at the bridge on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
A short ride of 20 minutes takes you back to the the start at Carnforth.
Enjoy.