For the Family

Are you thinking of bringing the family up to Grizedale Forest and venturing out on bikes?  Here at Grizedale Mountain Bikes we have lots of trails and bikes to suit everyone from 1 years old to 100!  So it makes the perfect day out for everyone. 

On this page find the answer to some common questions – What bikes do I need?  What trails are suitable for a family?  What do we need to bring with us?

WHAT BIKES DO I NEED?

If you and your family are planning on doing some of the gravel track trails such as the ones below, then we recommend…

Bike Type	Half Day Price	Full Day Price
Standard Adult Bike	£20	£25	Book your bikes now
Adult Electric Bike To “flatten out the fells” for over 14 years old only – For more information please click on the picture	£30	£40	Book your bikes now
Children’s 20” and 24” Bikes Please note: All children who need an adult bike will be charged at adult prices (approximately over 4”10 tall).	£12	£20	Book your bikes now
Trailers and Tag-a-long (Including an adult bike) Tag-a-longs and trailers are dependant on the heights of the children.  We unfortunately cannot hire a trailer to children under 1 years old.	£25	£30	Book your bikes now

All Bikes come with helmets included.  We recommend families only taking bikes for a half day, as this gives you plenty of time to explore the trails and stop for a picnic!  Please be aware we cannot refund people who come back early from a full days hire. 

If you are planning to pay in CASH then you must bring PHOTOGRAPHIC ID or we will be unable to hire to you.

BOOK YOUR BIKES NOW

WHAT TRAILS ARE SUITIABLE FOR A FAMILY?

For most families we recommend exploring the forest tracks throughout the forest.  These are an off-road, 3 – 4 meter width gravel track trail, undulating (and very hilly at times), throughout the forest.  All are signposted, and each has its own character and charm.  Below is a brief description of each trail.

Blue Trail (From the centre) – Goosey Foot Tarn Trail

This is the easiest trail in the forest and takes approximately 1.5hrs.  Head up “the big hill” to Moor Top car park (which can take a family with smaller children up to 45 minutes to complete), then head into the forest and head round a short 2 mile trail, which undulates through the forest back to Moor Top.  Finally you get to descend back the way you came for a fantastic downhill finish, back to the centre.

Purple Trail – Moor Top Trail

This trail ventures onto both halves of the forest, but does have a short section on the main road back to the centre.  It is 7 miles long and takes approximately 1.5hrs.  Begin by heading up the “big hill” up to Moor Top, cross the main road and then enjoy the open trail undulating back into the forest.  As the trail levels out - watch out for the Go-Ape Land Rovers and people zooming through the trees enjoying their Zip-Trekking experience.  The last section involves a steep descent with some sharp hairpins to watch out for, until it meets the main road.  Turn right onto the road and cycle just under a mile back to the centre.

Green Trail – Hawkshead Moor Trail

This is our favourite and most recommended route.  It circles the west side of the forest over 10.5 miles and takes approximately 2.5hrs.  We recommend completing this trail in an anti-clockwise direction.  Head up “the big hill”, to moor top, and then follow the trail north with some steep up hills and downhill's and some fantastic views over the fells all around.  Watch out for the left hand turn away from High Cross car park, at the top of this hill the trees thin and you get the best view in the forest – overlooking Coniston and the Fells beyond.  This is also the sign that you are about to start the mainly downhill section, which heads around the outside of Carron Crag and back to the centre.  In the opposite direction this trail also runs parallel to the North Face trail if your group wishes to split and follow the two separate trails whilst still riding sections together!

Orange Trail – Silurian Way

This is the longest trail in the forest and explores 14 miles of forest trail and takes about 3.5hrs.  This trail Starts by heading south into the west side of the forest and then climbing past Carron crag, with some beautiful views out towards the Fairfield Horseshoe near Ambleside.  Continue up the trail and then turn right cutting across the forest back towards Moor Top.  Cross the road and drop into the east side of the forest, where you will skirt around Grizedale Tarn and again have some fantastic open views over the fells.  Cycling around the hill, and then dropping down the hill to Blind Lane car park.  There is then a long road section into Satterthwaite (with a compulsory stop at the Eagles Head Inn!!!), and then up to Grizedale.  To avoid the main road section we recommend making a few alterations to the set route, by adding the top section on the green trail which also adds in the view over Coniston, and then following the black (gravel trail) back to Bogle Crag then up the road from there.  Pop into the shop for more details, and we will be happy to show you on a map.

Black Trail – Grizedale Tarn Trail (Gravel Track black signs)

This trail starts from the Bogle Crag Car Park, which involves a short road section to the start if you are beginning at the centre.  The trail is 6 miles long and takes approximately 1.5hrs.  The trail begins with a long uphill, which then levels off and undulates around the east side of the forest, offering views over the Ambleside fells.  Keep your eyes pealed for Go-Apes vehicles and all those enjoying Zip-Trekking through the trees.

For other routes in the forest please click on technical riding.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO BRING WITH US?

• Yourselves, with a big smile ready to start!
• Everybody wearing sensible footwear such as trainers – you cannot hire a bike wearing flip-flops, open toed sandals or loose slip on footwear.  This is because it is unsafe on the pedals.
• Bring water and snacks or a picnic if you wish.  Though don’t worry if you don’t bring your own we sell water, Lucozade and flapjack at the bike hire centre.
• Bring a rucksack to put everything in.
• As we are in the Lake District, it is safe to assume rain!  So it is always worth bringing waterproof top and bottoms unless…
• …On the rare occasions it is beautiful blue sky's bring sun cream! (Also stocked in the shop if you forget!)
• If you are planning to pay in CASH then you must bring PHOTOGRAPHIC ID or we will be unable to hire to you.