YHA Hawkshead is a fantastic location for road and mountain bikers, be they novice, families or experienced. Here are some of our recommendations:
The forest is a mecca for mountain bikers in the north west and YHA Hawkshead is located a mere three miles from its visitor centre and main car park. There are options to cycle from the hostel both on and off road and other car parks are also available.
The forest offers several easy to follow colour coded way-marked routes through the forest on wide tracks, many ideal for families. They are graded easy, moderate or difficult. For the more adventurous, there are also the single track options of the North Face Trail and the Black MTB trail.
Although in the forest, there are plenty of opportunities for wonderful views over the southern fells and Coniston and Esthwaite Waters.
The visitor centre has bike hire and a bike shop, a gift shop, children’s play area and a café serving drinks, sweet and savoury snacks and hot meals. There is a charge for parking but hostel staff can happily provide you with directions on how to get there on two wheels.
This route starts at Wray Castle. Turning right out of the castle entrance, follow the road for 500m downhill. Turn left at the blue cycle path sign and follow the well-surfaced tracks through open farmland and the wooded grounds of the Pullwood Estate. The path then takes the rider alongside the Ambleside-Hawkshead road into the centre of Ambleside. The full route from the hostel makes for a great day out when combined with a visit to Wray Castle, lunch in Ambleside or a continuation along the east side of Windermere and back to Hawkshead via the ferry.
This is a tough 34km off-road route, taking in some of the best parts of Grizedale Forest and the east shore of Coniston Water with a total climb of 817m.
This is a steady on road route of 32km heading south from Hawkshead on quiet lanes to the beautiful Rusland Valley with great views of the Lakeland fells on the return leg.
Visit Lake district is a fantastic website full of information about road, family, mountain and trail cycling.
Let's Ride offers a wealth of routes across the Lakes.
Large garden/grounds
Free parking on premises
Self-catering kitchen
Only five miles from Windermere, you can try your hand at anything from a lake cruise through to wind surfing, kayaking and canoeing. If you feel the need for speed you can even hire a power boat.
Set off down the bridleway from the back of the hostel to join Grizedale forest which offers hundreds of different routes for mountain bikers of all abilities. The highest point in the forest is Karen...
Situated in the pretty Lake District village of Hawkshead, the Grammar School Museum tells the story of school life since its founding in 1585. Our most famous pupil was William Wordsworth and in its...
Full of her favourite things, the house looks like Beatrix has just stepped out for a walk. Don't miss the lovely cottage garden.
If you're planning on staying at YHA Hawkshead, why not download a free map and get out exploring? All our self-guided walks start and end at a YHA hostel and are graded so that you can explore the...
Fly 200 metres across the top of the Grizedale Beck and marvel at the forest canopy from 18m up a Douglas Fir. YHA members get 10% off outdoor adventures with Go Ape (all activities and locations...
Go Ape has several locations across the UK where you can climb and fly through the trees. If it's adrenaline fuelled family fun you're after then look no further. YHA members get 10% off outdoor...
Discover the home of John Ruskin. A historic house, museum and vibrant centre for the arts, Brantwood is the former home of artist and social reformer John Ruskin. You’ll find a wealth of fascinating...
Tom Ghyll (or Gill) is a lovely stream with two waterfalls. A trail runs alongside the stream and the path then leads up to Tarn Hows. Start at the Car Park on the A593 by Glen Mary Bridge. Head east...
Enjoy an afternoon on England's largest natural lake. There's a watersports centre on the shore of Windermere, only three miles from the hostel. The centre offers, kayaking, canoeing, raft building...
The spectacular voyage gives you views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and the delightful wooded islands.
The gondola is the perfect way to view Coniston's spectacular scenery. Sail to Monk Coniston jetty and then walk to Tarn Hows. View the Yacht's National Trust website
Enjoy a beautiful boat cruise on Coniston Water, staying on the boat for the full cruise or getting off at a jetty to explore. Or just use the service as a ferry to get between where the different...
To see Coniston Water and the stunning fells hire a motor boat, canoe, rowing boat or sailing boat and explore. Take a break at the Bluebird Café right on the edge of Coniston Water. Visit the website
This lovely area is great for water sports, so whatever mode of water transport takes your fancy, take the plunge and enjoy some fun on, or in, the water! Gorge scrambling in Church Beck is on the...
Come rain or shine the museum offers a welcoming space to spend time with friends and family. Housed inside striking architecture you’ll find a fascinating collection of boats, interactive displays...