The best MTB trails around Matterdale

Matterdale offers a wide selection of mountain bike trails, with over 110 routes to explore. These include 19 easy trails, 65 moderate routes, and 29 challenging options for experienced riders.

The terrain in Matterdale is diverse, featuring a mix of challenging ascents and flowing descents. You'll encounter bridleways, woodland sections, lakeside paths, and high fell-top ridges. The Matterdale valley itself sits at about 300m above sea level, contributing to the varied landscape.

Yes, Matterdale has several family-friendly options. An easy route suitable for families is The Cockpit Stone Circle – View of Ullswater loop from Pooley Bridge, which is 14.9 km long and offers scenic views of Ullswater and the Matterdale landscape.

Matterdale's trails often provide views of stunning natural features. You might ride alongside Ullswater, encounter waterfalls like Aira Force, or see fells such as Great Mell Fell. Highlights like Catbells Summit, Helvellyn Summit, and Gowbarrow Fell summit are also within reach or visible from various routes.

Absolutely. Many routes in Matterdale feature stunning views of Ullswater. A popular moderate trail is The Cockpit Stone Circle – View of Ullswater loop from Watermillock, which is 33.6 km long and offers expansive lake views. Another option is View of Ullswater – Arthur's Pike summit loop from Pooley Bridge.

The mountain bike trails in Matterdale are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 500 reviews. Riders often praise the diverse terrain, the stunning views of Ullswater and the fells, and the variety of routes suitable for different skill levels.

Yes, for those seeking a longer and more challenging ride, consider the Caldew Trail – Skiddaw House Hostel loop from Lisco Farm. This moderate route covers 40.3 km and leads through varied terrain including fells and bridleways.

While specific routes aren't always designed around stops, the River Greta – Threlkeld Coffee Shop loop from Matterdale is a moderate 33.4 km trail that passes near Threlkeld, offering an opportunity for a coffee break. Many villages in the area, like Dockray and Watermillock, also have pubs and cafes that can be incorporated into your ride.

Matterdale is enjoyable for mountain biking throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery. Summer provides longer daylight hours, while winter can be challenging due to steep, technical, and rocky terrain, though some routes offer unique 'above the clouds' experiences with cloud inversions on the fells.

Yes, many of the mountain bike trails in Matterdale are designed as loops. Examples include The Cockpit Stone Circle – View of Ullswater loop from Watermillock and The Cockpit Stone Circle – View of Ullswater loop from Pooley Bridge, both offering circular journeys with scenic views.

While Matterdale is a rural area, public transport options exist to access the wider Lake District. For specific trailheads, it's advisable to check local bus services that connect to villages around Ullswater or other starting points, as direct access to all trails might require a car.