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The trend on this last section
is generally downwards as you descend from the northern fringes
of the Lake District mountains down to sea level on the West
Cumbrian coast. The route is still very undulating, however,
and some stiff climbs will mean that it is not a complete
holiday for you.
The
journeys end (or beginning)
The first few miles of this route provides
perhaps the most striking scenery of the entire route as Bassenthwaite
Lake comes into view supplemented by the huge fells of Skiddaw,
Grisedale Pike and others.
The route takes in the conurbations of Cockermouth,
Workington and Whitehaven.
Although country roads are the main feature, there are lots
of alternatives along the way for extra off-road interest.
The final third of the route is almost exclusively off-road
following the path of former railways.
Route Details
Skirting around Skiddaw
Leaving Longlands, you are confronted with superb views as
the route takes you round Over Water, with the bulk of Skiddaw,
at over 3,000ft high, brooding over you. An option at this
stage is to make a detour from the route to take in the delights
of Bassenthaite Village with
its whitewashed lakeland cottages.The quiet country lanes
around her are virtually devoid of civilization until you
get to Cockermouth.
The Wordsworth connection
Cockermouth is an attractive
and interesting town to spend some time given its extensive
facilities and rich history. Accommodation is plentiful and
there are a variety of good pubs and eating places. The National
Trust-owned Wordsworth House was inhabited by William and
Dorothy Wordsworth and an excellent place to visit. There
are several museums covering printing technology, motoring,
toys and models and mining.
From Cockermouth, the Reivers shares the
C2C Route
and soon takes you into attractive Papcastle, the site of
a former Roman Fort although it is the local village pub that
might catch your interest these days. After a couple of miles,
you will pass Great Broughton which boasts several shops and
pubs. Keeping on tarmac, in another three miles you will reach
Camerton in which you will find yet another public house.
Former industrial glories
At Camerton, you will leave the tarmac to join a well-surfaced
railway path which will take you through Seaton before reaching
the large town of Workington. Workington
once had thriving coal, steel and shipbuilding industries
but these are now long gone although a substantial industrial
base still exists. The town benefits from a large number of
shops and eating places. There are also bike shops should
you have problems or are in need of spares.
Almost there..........
Leaving Workington on a well-surfaced cycle track, after some
three miles you change to a short length of road which then
changes to good cycle track. At Lowca, it is simply a question
of following the lovely coastal path all the way into Whitehaven.
Whitehaven is a fine town with
its Georgian buildings and the harbour area which has been
comprehensively redeveloped. The prominently located Beacon
Museum provides an interesting review of Whitehaven's history
touching on the slave trade, mining and shipbuilding.
And, on dipping your wheel in the Irish Sea
at the slipway give yourself a pat on the back for completing
the route. |
Facts &
Figures
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| Mileage |
29 miles |
| Highest point |
880 ft |
| Lowest Point |
13 ft |
| Off-road |
33-45% |
| Ascending |
1,793 ft |
Places en route
The table below summarises the main locations along this
section of route. Hyperlinked place names link to pages containing
additional information about the location including accommodation.
Route Options
Bassenthwaite detour
Just after leaving Longlands, you can take an optional mixed
on/off-road route. After two or three miles, you will enter
the idyllic village of Bassenthwaite.
With pretty whitewashed cottages, a beck, two pubs and glimpses
of Bassenthwaite Lake, it is an excellent stopping off point.
Before Armathwaite Hall, you turn onto a rough bridleway
for three miles. This track can be very muddy and is not recommended
in the Winter or when there has been rain. The track follows
the general line of the River Derwent before rejoining the
route after Bank Head.
Watch Hill off-road option
Shortly after crossing the River Derwent at Iselgate, you
have another off-road alternative (unsigned) which will take
you all the way into Cockermouth. This interesting bridleway
is well-surfaced but incorporates a steep climb alongside
a plantation up to the summit of Watch Hill. However, the
views going down the grassy descent are worth the extra toil.
The track brings you back onto the tarmac route just outside
of Cockermouth.
Wordsworth
House in Cockermouth
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