Grisedale Pike - Whinlatter forest red trail adventure ride!

Join me, the Mush (AKA: the wife) and Hugo the trail hound on this stunning, big mountain hike-a-bike adventure ride at Grisedale pike in the lakes district national park.
In the video we confess that as “mountain bikers,” we generally don’t ride actual mountains often, preferring woodland single track to mountain passes for various reasons. In the Lakes it appears that most routes I’ve looked at are either high mileage (not good for Hugo) or include a lot of road miles, again not good for doggo as he is fairly nervous with passing traffic. The chance of changeable weather and navigational concerns increase the risk factor and the general remoteness can be somewhat daunting. That said, we are here to challenge ourselves and thrive in the achievement so we aim to fix this going forward.
We feel this route, starting at the trail head at Whinlatter forest park is possibly the best beginner hike-a-bike type route in the Lake District and England (not for beginner riders, see disclaimer below).
It has the big mountain feel with the sanctuary and convenience of the trail centre within close distance at all times. It’s a relatively low mileage loop done on its own but a fair climb (approx 700m) and a good portion of that is pushing and carrying the bike.
The descent is in 3 distinct sections with the top being loose scree slopes/tracks (hard to follow in parts), the middle section fast single track with rutted sections and some loose rocks and the final section is a handcrafted enduro style trail. All of which are AMAZING!
We added on the red North loop taking the total mileage to 12 miles and around 2650ft of climbing and we just about managed to avoid the bad weather coming in.
I used this opportunity to give my short review on Whinlatter as a trail centre and concluded that the variety on offer with the way-marked trails and natural riding close by makes it one of the best in the UK and certainly one we re-visit time and time again.
All in all a fantastic day and an essential lakes hike-a-bike route that we strongly recommend to all.
I would appreciate any suggestions for low road miles and relatively low mileage lakes mountain routes that we can try over the summer - Many Thanks
Disclaimer:
We have labelled this as a beginner "hike-a-bike" route assuming that anyone wanting to attempt this is already a competent advanced mountain biker. Hiking with your bike on your back is technical, physical and dangerous particularly with high wind speeds common with altitude. This particular descent is steep and loose in parts and requires a high end, well maintained mountain bike and plenty of rider skill.
#mtb#Lakedistrictmtb #grisedalepike #whinlatter #whinlaterforestmtb #hobcarton #hikeabike #adventure #mountainbike #mountainbiking #ukmtb #mtblife #mtblifestyle #mtbiking #outdoors #outsideisfree #enduromtb #downhill
#vanlife #traildog #vizsla #mentalhealthawareness #anxietyrelief #mentalwellness #itsokaytonotbeokay

[@streetpigeonmtb]

Great riding and awesome edit 👌

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Thanks Jamie, it was a fun edit to make. The scenery and the quality of the descent helps off course! Look forward to seeing your take on it 👍

[@PmatWolf]

Love Grizedale area and the trails there is sooooooo much to discover hit it up on my spec enduro (Darren Barecloth special edition that was one that got robbed BTW from Appley Bridge in Wigan) broken hearted ...... anyways Grizedale is a bit of everything awesome filmig mate hope you and the missus have fallen i love with your new bikes after the others got nabbed.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Agree, superb isnt it!! I needed to sort the bars and brakes on the wife’s as she wasn’t happy with them but is now 100% happy and on the same frame as before just a different colour. Im still adjusting to the Nomad, I think the Bronson possibly suited the majority of my riding better, but this weekend I was starting to get the Nomad dialled in and im staring to get to grips with it. I actually felt unsure of the Bronson when I first got that and it ended up being ny favourite bike ive ever owned. so fingers crossed.

[@PmatWolf]

@@MindfulTrailBiker happy days mate ive had 2 santas a Bullit (awesom dh bike 180mm front and rear, and a Butcher that was a medium and too small for me it ended up as the wifes bike for years but shes now got a 2014 trance advanced carbon which im just about to change the front fox for a taller rockshox RL 36 Gold to raise the front end a bit for her as she used my trance with the same fork for ages and fell in love with that setup. thats what i love about MTB you can totally customise to what fits you best

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@PmatWolf nothing better than. Putting the perfect spec together! It’s a full time passion project!

[@jhentz12]

I think I’d need a Xanax before doing that run. 😮 and a spare set of brakes. Lol

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Haha.. I took 3 before attempting it 😂😂

[@petewilson2054]

Looks brilliant that. I think I’d need an AED machine with me but would be worth it!

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

😂😂 it’s a belter Pete. Have you rode the trail centre stuff since getting back in the bike?

[@petewilson2054]

@@MindfulTrailBiker I have yes. I did the full gisburn 8 loop. My lungs felt it but man it was good to be back at it. Taking some getting used to 29er tho hahaha

[@andyflaw]

Do you have a GPX for this route? Looks good

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

Unfortunately not Andy. Watch battery died. However it’s called Hobcarton on Trailforks. You do the south loop climb to start and then lomoerectus to finish so should be easy enough to piece together. 👍👍

[@andyflaw]

@@MindfulTrailBiker no problem. I’m sure I will manage thanks.

[@MindfulTrailBiker]

@@andyflaw it is a straight forward one really. Only potential wrong turn is at the top, you need to bear left instead of following the wall which is easy done. Just make sure you’re heading for the ridge line. It’s a great route. Let us know how you get on!!