Lakes and Dales Horseback Rambler

If your a mountain biker then your know this area well and as my eldest sons would say the trails around Staveley are 'sick' or otherwise known as amazing!  There is so much to go at in this area from going into Kentmere to going over to Troutbeck. This is an area I've wanted explore on horseback for ages, so after studying the OS map many times it was great to finally dip into the area with my friend Bridget and her horse Hope.  We went prepared with our saddle bags packed with lunch and as neither of us had really done route it really had the potential for a great ride. This ride takes you straight through Staveley village and then over and around Spy Crag into the edge of Kentmere taking in some fantastic native bluebell woods, ancient tracks and ends with an option of cake at Wilf's Cafe!  Starting at the layby adjacent to Rather Heath take the lane past the campsite and on Ashes Lane. Ashes Lane is a lovely gated track with fab views looking ...

           The 19 30’s saw the start of the campaign for the ‘Right to Roam’ on foot, but to have the freedom to do the same on horseback or by bike is a very rare thing indeed. You could almost say in England and Wales if you have a place like this it is unique and to those that use such an area it becomes very special. I am fortunate enough to live near one of these rare areas and it’s safe to say that Farleton Knott has over the years become a cherished place to all who have visited. Most people drive past this unknown fell as they speed along the M6 and turn off at J36 for the Lake District.   A week ago now I was walking up on Farleton and came across this new sign put up by one of the landowners - ‘ Farleton Knott is open access land. Everyone is entitled to explore it on foot. There are no bridlepaths on Farleton Knott. It is a civil offence to ride horses or bikes on this site.’ For some history to this, the area is mostly common land an...

To anyone that like looking at OS maps Great Langdale it pretty special. I say this as there is so much choice, weather you’re a walkers, mountain biker, horse rider or disabled tramper  user. This ride is good at any time but a great time to visit this valley has to autumn, firstly there are less visitors and secondary the autumn colours on a sunny crisp day really do sing! One of my favourite routes is the bridleway that starts in Elterwater and carries on up the valley through Great Langdale. This trail is for all and the last time I did this was with my horse and my two children were 8 and 10 on their mountain bikes. It sounds a crazy mix, but riding your horse while others cycle really can work, especially if you can find the right off road route. This route does have one hill, but overall it quite flat (for the Lake District) so for the youngest member of the team this route was challenging but still doable. At no point did I have to lead my horse and push a small child’s b...