Description
Howgills, Bowderdale Beck Mountain Biking
The Howgills sit on the border between the Yorkshire Dales and the South Lakes in the north of England, and hold some of the best natural singletrack riding outside a trail centre anywhere in the UK. Routes head out from Sedbergh onto the open fells, from a shorter 22km loop up to the full 40km Bowderdale classic, all on legal bridleways with a remote, epic feel. Expect steep climbs, big views, and long stretches of flowing, rocky singletrack. It's a seasonal ride, so expect boggy ground after wet weather.
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The Trails
- Bowderdale Classic: around 40km, with a big climb out of Sedbergh onto the tops (Winder, Arant Haw, Brant Fell, The Calf), followed by around 6km of narrow, rocky singletrack that never widens beyond about eight inches, running the length of Bowderdale Beck back down to the valley. Widely rated one of the best natural descents in the UK.
- Pedalnorth's Howgills Loop: a shorter version of the same ride, around 22km (14 miles, 1,425m of ascent), with four legal ways to the tops and the same Bowderdale Beck descent.
None of these routes are waymarked, so download a route or use GPS navigation before you set off. Conditions are peaty and can turn boggy after rain, so check the weather and come prepared.
Route Resources
- MBR covers the Bowderdale Beck singletrack in detail, with a GPS route download.
- Pedalnorth has a shorter loop with turn-by-turn directions and a GPX file, starting from Sedbergh.
Getting Here
Park at Joss Lane Car Park, Joss Lane, Sedbergh, LA10 5BB, a pay-and-display car park with public toilets right in the town centre. Most routes head straight out of Sedbergh onto the fells from here.
Share
- If you have ridden the natural mountain bike trails in the Howgills and Bowderdale Beck in the North Dales and South Lakes then please come share your experiences by posting your GPS routes, pictures, videos and reviews to the listing.