Ainstable is a village and civil parish situated within Cumbria's scenic Eden Valley, England. This region is characterized by an undulating valley topography shaped by the River Eden, which flows through sandstone gorges and is flanked by lush green valleys, scenic farmland, and mixed woodlands like Coombs Wood. Its geographical position, bordering the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in proximity to the Lake District fells, provides a diverse landscape for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring…
71
Routes
4.5
(49)
Average rating
642
People visited

5.0
(1)
3
hikers
20.0km
05:22
230m
230m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(6)
59
hikers
5.88km
01:35
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(6)
29
hikers
5.85km
01:39
120m
120m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(3)
8
hikers
9.76km
02:43
180m
180m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1.0
(1)
2
riders
44.7km
04:14
970m
970m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

7
riders
28.6km
02:09
550m
550m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

6
riders
34.4km
03:05
780m
780m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
4
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(4)
58
riders
26.9km
01:21
270m
270m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(9)
37
riders
55.4km
02:34
490m
490m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

14
riders
26.8km
01:26
230m
240m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

12
riders
42.5km
02:07
480m
480m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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33
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

29
riders
26.9km
01:42
270m
270m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
75.7km
04:48
730m
730m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
18
riders
20.0km
01:16
200m
200m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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30
runners
8.07km
01:01
200m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
7.46km
00:52
150m
150m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
5
runners
10.8km
01:14
200m
190m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Ainstable offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and jogging. The region features 24 routes with an average rating of 4.54 out of 5 stars. These activities explore the Eden Valley's diverse landscape.
Ainstable provides several hiking opportunities, ranging from easy walks to more challenging routes. Popular options include loops around Armathwaite Castle and Carved Faces Bay, often following the River Eden. More information is available in the Hiking around Ainstable guide.
The area around Coombs Wood is known for its mountain biking trails. These trails offer a mix of steep, enduro-style sections with jumps and more flowy routes. Some areas also provide off-road routes and skills areas for various experience levels. Consult the MTB Trails around Ainstable guide for details.
Ainstable serves as a base for road cyclists, offering scenic routes through rolling countryside and picturesque villages. A notable climb in the area is the Hartside Pass Ascent from Melmerby, which is approximately 5 miles (8 km) long. Further details can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Ainstable guide.
The region features several historical and natural landmarks. These include the Bronze Age Long Meg and Her Daughters Stone Circle, Armathwaite Castle, and the unique sandstone carvings at Carved Faces Bay along the River Eden. The Armathwaite Viaduct, an 80-foot high red sandstone structure, is also a point of interest.
Ainstable offers easy walks suitable for families, particularly along the River Eden. These routes often feature gentle paths through the valley's landscape. The Easy hikes around Ainstable guide provides specific recommendations for less challenging routes.
A longer hiking route in the area is the Kirkoswald, Long Meg stone circle & the River Eden loop from Lazonby. This route spans approximately 12.4 miles (20.0 km) and typically takes about 5 hours and 20 minutes to complete. It showcases historical sites and riverside scenery.
Komoot offers several guides for Ainstable, covering various activities. These include Hiking around Ainstable, MTB Trails around Ainstable, and Road Cycling Routes around Ainstable. Guides for easy hikes, running, and traffic-free bike rides are also available.
The terrain in Ainstable is characterized by an undulating valley topography, shaped by the River Eden. Hikes often feature paths through sandstone gorges, lush green valleys, farmland, and mixed woodlands like Coombs Wood. The landscape transitions from gentle riverside paths to more varied routes.
Ainstable is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 9,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The 24 available routes have received an average rating of 4.54 out of 5 stars from over 500 ratings. This indicates a high level of user satisfaction.
Official information about the Ainstable parish can be found on the Ainstable Parish Council website. The website address is ainstable-pc.gov.uk. General inquiries about the area may also be directed through the Westmorland and Furness Council.

