E-BIKE HIRE AVAILABLE

This tour is well-suited to both regular bikes and pedal assist e-bikes, and you can choose to hire either when you book your tour with us. Confident cyclists will enjoy the boost from a battery for those cheeky climbs, and with less effort required on the bike, you’ll have more energy at the end of the day for off-the-bike activities. You may choose to hire an e-bike on a group or supported tour but bear in mind that the pace will be set to riders without an e-bike.

United Kingdom

Lake District - Derwent Water

Guided Leisure Bike Tour

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

5 days

Prices from

$1,495 P.P.
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With its dramatic contrast between mighty mountains and still water, Derwent Water is surely the highlight of the Northern Lake District and this trip gives you the perfect opportunity to explore this stunning area by bike.
This fantastic cycling holiday will be based out of HF Derwent Bank near Keswick. You will find the perfect mix of relaxation and challenge as you tackle the rolling roads of the Lakes, before returning to comfort and views of the mountains. Here you can relax with your choice of tipple on the sun terrace or shelter from the elements in the conservatory.
Over the course of three rides, you will explore quiet country lanes, fells and pretty lakeside roads.
We are treated to a few climbs throughout the week however, so you may want to consider hiring one of our E-bikes if you're looking to enjoy the journey with a little boost up those cheeky hills! 
The area is also rich in heritage, from the ancient stone circle at Castlerigg to signs of the more recent small-scale mining industry. 
Come and join us and other like-minded bikers for this wonderful tour of the Lake District, all set in a friendly and social environment and led by at least two of our experienced guides.
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Highlights

  • Stay at Derwent Bank, Keswick – a comfortable HF Country House sitting directly on the banks of Derwent Water
  • Spin your legs gently along country lanes or challenge them as you climb up towards some Lakeland fells
  • Admire the vista across the lake to Skiddaw and Blencathra
  • Treat yourself to delicious cake pit-stops in charming local cafés
  • Let the lovely Lakeland landscapes inspire your daily cycling
  • Visit Castlerigg Stone Circle – an ancient monument built around 3000 BC

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Keswick / Portinscale

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  • Meals: Dinner

Today is set aside to allow you to arrive into Keswick at your convenience. Your accommodation at Derwent Bank is situated just a mile from town. You will meet your leader and the rest of the group, and enjoy a leisurely evening meal.

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Day 2 Surrounding Skiddaw

36 Miles / 58 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 800 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 800 Metres Approx.

Today we head out on a circular route taking in some of the best views of Skiddaw, Blencathra, and Bassenthwaite Lake National Nature Reserve. There are a few challenging climbs today, the first out of Bassenthwaite and especially the ascent out of the small village of Uldale. Once up at a higher elevation the views are spectacular, with only a few trees and majestic rolling hills as far as the eye can see.

After a final climb to Caldbeck, there are plenty of gentle and medium-grade descents to make up for the climbs and give your legs a rest, allowing you to appreciate the beautiful surroundings before completing the loop back to Keswick.

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Day 3 Whinlatter, Cockermouth and Bassenthwaite

30 Miles / 48 Kms Approx
Ascent: 750 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 750 Metres Approx.

We’ll start today’s ride heading west towards High Lorton, warming up our legs with a ride over Whinlatter Pass and through the forest before heading north to Cockermouth, passing by Cockermouth Castle and Wordsworth House.

From there, we wind east through Bassenthwaite village, following the shore of its namesake—the only official “lake” in the Lake District.

Finally, we return to our accommodation for an evening meal at Derwent Bank.

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Day 4 Derwent Water, Thirlmere, Castlerigg

36 Miles / 58 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 915 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Ascent: 915 Metres Approx.

This morning we’ll head east along the Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Path. We’ll then head south down through St John’s in the Vale and down to the banks of Thirlmere Reservoir with the dramatic Helvellyn towering above to the east. We’ll then head back north to Keswick via Castlerigg Stone Circle, an ancient monument built around 3000 BC, taking some essential photos in this marvellous English Heritage site.

We then cycle south along the east side of Derwent Water stopping at Ashness Bridge, one of the Lake District’s most photographed sites. On a clear day, the viewpoint looks out over both Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance.

On a clear day, the viewpoint looks out over both Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance. We’ll continue our loop around Derwent Water, cycling through the “Jaws of Borrowdale.” We ride over the impressive double-arched bridge crossing the River Derwent, past its quaint slate cottages and tea shops. The final section of today’s sees us heading back north up the west side of Derwent Water and through Stair and Little Town back to our accommodation for our final evening together.

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Day 5 Departure Keswick / Portinscale

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  • Meals: Breakfast

Today we’ll have a leisurely breakfast together, and with plenty of miles in our legs and memories made, you’ll set off on your onward journeys home.

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Understanding Profiles

Use these profiles to see:

  • Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
  • Ascent / Descent in metres (vertical axis)

Click 'see gradient' to see:

  • Distance in Km (horizontal axis)
  • % Gradient (vertical axis)

White vertical lines indicate unpaved sections or slightly rougher terrain.

Please check the scales on both graphs, and both axes as they both may differ from day to day.

GPS units and navigation softwares produce different statistical information based on a number of different factors, so please keep in mind the information we’re providing here is meant to be an indicative guide only.

Gradients in particular can be difficult to measure consistently, and sometimes steepness shown can vary as much as 5-10% from what’s signposted on the ground.

Using both graphs, alongside the grading and terrain information provided, should however give you a good idea of how flat, bumpy or steep the climbing on your particular tour is going to be.

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Still Thinking It Over?

Register your interest and we'll keep you up-to-date on departures, availability, accommodation and all the amazing experiences we have in store on this trip.

The Cycling

Terrain

The Lake District is renowned for its rugged beauty, but also its hills! Most of the routes around Keswick are fairly undulating, so there are some inevitable climbs, but these are well worth it for the spectacular views over the surrounding lakes and hills.

You will be riding on a mixture of quiet country lanes and purpose-built tarmac cycle paths, with a short section along a gravel track, therefore hybrid bikes are recommended.

We have e-bikes available so there’s always the option of a cheeky boost if you need it! Please note, if opting for an e-bike, the pace of the riding will be set by those on hybrid bikes. If you are interested in riding an electric bike on this holiday please click here for more information.

Cyclists riding past rolling hills on a quiet country road in the Lake District on a guided cycling tour

Leisure Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 2-3: Gentle/ Moderate

Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 trips

Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes

Some modest climbs

Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc)

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Trips that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 rides. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.  

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

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Dates & Prices

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a $375 deposit and nothing more to pay until 30 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.

Select a date to view prices and book
To see the prices for any optional extras, including bike hire, select your date below.

The Essentials

Travel Options

Your destination is Derwent Bank in Portinscale.

The nearest international airport is Manchester (MAN) and there are a number of direct flights from North America. From there you can catch a train to the route – the most convenient station is Penrith. Group train station transfers are included in the holiday price and there will be a Skedaddle transfer at 16.00 from Penrith train station to Portinscale.

On the departure day (day 5) there will be a Skedaddle transfer from Portinscale to Penrith train station at 09.30. Please do not book any return trains from Penrith prior to 10.30.

Please check with us before making any travel arrangements to make sure we have reached the minimum number required to guarantee your holiday and to ensure your arrangements fit with our scheduled transfers and logistics.

Please note If you make alternative travel arrangements, which fall outside of the planned train station transfers, there may be an additional charge for individual transfers.

If you are travelling to the UK from overseas and are not a British or Irish national, you will need to apply for either an ETA or a visa depending on your nationality. Please check the relevant state department or foreign office guidance for your country or you can find more information here

Contact us for full details on the travel options on this trip

Accommodation

On this holiday, you will be based at an HF Country House. HF Holidays run a number of Country Houses around the UK, which are all within National Parks or National Landscapes, and which offer the perfect comfortable environment to return to after a day out on two wheels.

With one of best waterfronts of any hotel on Derwent Water, your accommodation provides splendid views of the surrounding fells, and a lovely location to explore the Lake District.

At Derwent Bank there is a large, comfortable lounge, an attractive dining room and a welcoming bar stocking local beer. The house sits in extensive gardens with a sloping lawn down to the lake jetty, perfect for a post-ride leg stretch wander!

Contact us for full details on the accommodation for this trip

Bike Hire

If you would like to rent a bike we have hybrid and electric bikes available.

The hybrid bikes are generally Giant Roam (male frame) or Liv Rove (female frame) with flat bars and semi-slick tyres. They are set up with a rear rack, two panniers and at least one bottle cage.

The electric bikes are generally Giant E+ pedal assist bikes with flat bars, step through frames, semi-slick tyres, and batteries suitable for the daily distance on this holiday. They are set up with a rear rack and two panniers and they will either have a bottle cage or you will be able to store a water bottle in the pannier bag.

All of our hire bikes have a wide range of gears, hydraulic disc brakes and offer a comfortable riding position. All bikes have inner tubes and come equipped with a small seat-post bag containing a puncture repair kit, a multitool and a spare tube, as well as a bike pump. Please note, given the variety of shapes and sizes of on-bike luggage and the fact the mechanisms for fitting them vary, we aren’t able to safely accommodate customers’ own frame bags or on-bike luggage on our hire bikes.

We are also able to provide helmets. If you’d like one, please request this at the time of booking. You are welcome to bring along your own saddle and / or own pedals if renting a hybrid bike, but please let us know in advance if you plan to do so. Please note, all our hire bikes come with flat pedals as standard.

If you are planning to bring your own bike, please let us know the make and model and we can check its suitability.

Contact us for full details on the bikes available for hire on this trip

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What's Included Tick

A) Shared twin (or double) room (single room may be available on request, for a supplement)

B) Full tour service including guides and a back-up vehicle carrying spares, snacks and extra equipment not needed on your bike

C) At least one leader qualified in First Aid

D) Full-board including picnic lunch and en route refreshments

E) GPX files

F) Secure bike storage and bike wash facilities

G) Group train station collections / drop-offs on scheduled arrival and departure days

H) Financial Protection through ABTOT

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike and helmet rental (available if required)

B) Travel or flight costs or charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

C) Meals not stated in the itinerary

D) Single room (available if required)

E) Travel insurance

F) Personal clothing and equipment

G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)

H) Entrance fees to cultural or historical sites and visitor centres

I) Other optional activities

J) Tips for guides, drivers, support staff

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Private Departures

Private Departures

Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.

Lake District - Derwent Water FAQs

Can I hire a bike?

Yes, we have a range of high-quality hire bikes available on all of our tours that you can select at the time of booking (you can see more details about our hire bikes in the dedicated section above.) Or, if you prefer the flexibility to bring your own bike, this is also an option.

Do I need to wear a cycle helmet?

Yes. We take very seriously the duty of care we have towards our customers, and we will always ask that you wear a helmet. If you don’t own a helmet, then let us know and we’ll ensure there is one available for you. More about our helmet policy.

Can I ride an e-bike?

You may hire or bring an e-bike on this tour but please keep in mind that the pace will be set to those not riding an e-bike. Check out our e-bike page for more FAQs about e-bikes.

Can I bring my own e-bike?

Yes, you may bring your own e-bike on this tour but it’s best to chat to our team so we can make sure the bike is legally compliant and that help determine if your bike will have enough power to last each day. We recommend riding with the bike in eco mode, or lower level of pedal assist most of the time, along with other tips to conserve battery life. Remember, if you are flying to your destination, you won’t be able to take a battery on the plane. Check out our e-bike page for more FAQs about e-bikes.

What bike spares should I bring?

If you’re bringing your own bike, it’s a good idea to pack basic tools (tyre levers, pump, chain tool) and a puncture repair kit with a spare inner tube in a saddle bag or day bag. If you’re hiring a bike with us, then we’ll provide you with tools and spares. If you run into problems with your bike or have a mechanical, we’ll always be available to assist.

How many guides will there be and what kind of support do they offer?

Each tour has a minimum of two guides, depending on the group size, with one guide riding and one guide in the support vehicle. Our guides are qualified, experienced and always ready to offer support when needed. Whether fixing a bike mechanical, administering first aid, preparing delicious picnics or simply offering advice and motivation for your ride, they want to make sure every pedal stroke of your trip runs like clockwork.

Is there a support vehicle?

Yes. Each tour has a support vehicle which will typically be there for coffee stops and picnic lunches. The vehicle may not always be with the group for the duration of the riding day, but it’s never too far away and within easy reach, if needed. You’re welcome to leave a day bag in the vehicle with spare clothing and snacks.

Can I use the support vehicle if I need a lift?

Our team are always happy to discuss grades and training so hopefully you’ll be able to complete your tour comfortably. Of course, there may be times when something happens and you’re not able to ride. Our support vehicle is there to help should you feel unwell or unable to ride and we always have further back-up transfers and taxis available should an issue arise.

What are the group sizes?

We deliberately keep our group sizes smaller than you might find with other companies. We typically guarantee group trips to run on a minimum number of five to six riders, and some popular tours can reach 14 or 15 riders.

Can you organise private group tours?

Yes, we can organise private group tours. We usually recommend a minimum group size of 8 to 10 riders for our tailor-made itineraries. Chat to our team to find out more.

Can I join as a solo traveller?

Absolutely! We welcome many solo travellers on our group holidays. It’s a great way to meet like-minded cyclists. Our rooms are allocated on a twin share basis, but you can select a single supplement when you book if you would prefer to have your own room. These are subject to availability.

Do you cater for different dietary needs?

Vegetarians and people with specific dietary requirements will be catered for – please let us know at the time of booking if you have any dietary requirements. Snacks will always be available, but you are also more than welcome to bring any specific foods or energy gels that you prefer. Download the Trip Notes for more information about the local cuisine you can expect on this holiday.

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