• Distance: 24 miles
  • Ascent: 3,990 feet
  • Grade: Severe

This formidable ride will test all of your skills as a mountain biker, with massive climbs and some extremely technical and challenging descents.

Starting from Pooley Bridge, the loop takes in some of Lakeland's most exciting low-level trails before headiing over the huge ridge of High Street.

This is a very difficult route for fit and experienced mountain bikers. Make sure your bike is in working order and that you have all the food, water and equipment to complete the ride.

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The route

Starting from Pooley Bridge, climb up to 'the Cockpit', a stone circle at the north end of the High Street ridge.

The trail leads you towards the path that tracks along the eastern shore of Ullswater towards Howtown.

This trail is among the best that Lakeland has to offer - fast, with technical sections that will test your riding skills and your bravery.

At Howtown a trail through bracken leads you parallel to the steep tarmac of The Hause.

Emerge on the road at Martindale and turn left towards Sandwick.

Here you'll pick up another brilliant trail. Ride with caution here - this is a very popular route for walkers and there are some technical sections to negotiate too.

Follow the trail to Patterdale, where there's chance to pick up provisions should you need them.

After the tough opening section of the ride, the hardest part is yet to come. Ride on the road to Hartsop and then turn left to pick up the bridleway towards Hayeswater.

This is a tough climb over loose rocks, and with a gradient reaching nearly 17 per cent. Can you ride it in one go?

At Hayeswater you'll face the tough ascent that leads you to the ridge of High Street. There's no option here but to push or carry the bike up to the flank of The Knott.

Follow the trail around the foot of The Knott to meet High Street ridge. High Street is named after the road used by the Romans when they settled in the area, and offers spectacular views across the Lake District.

This route turns left, avoiding the main summit of High Street and opting instead for High Raise, the highest point of the ride at 2,585ft.

Follow the undulating ridge to the summit of Loadpot Hill. It's a tough ride, with the soft turf of the ridge making for difficult pedalling. Climbs to the summits along the ridge will test your fitness.

After a couple of short descents and climbs, the descent from Loadpot Hill properly begins.

It begins with ruts and small drop-offs before opening into a smooth grassy descent that leads back towards your start point.

Retrace your steps back towards the Cockpit and then back to Pooley Bridge.

ABOVE: A video showing the technical riding on the shore of Ullswater.

  • Have you got a great route you'd like to share? Send your Strava links, .gpx files, photos and descriptions to bob.hart@nqnw.co.uk