Langdale and Loughrigg Fell Loop (04-05-09)

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Despite the pissing rain we bit the bullet and headed out for a shortish loop around a low fell, fully waterproofed up, but still came back utterly soaked. This route was adapted from the Lake District Mountain Biking book, which is a must-have if you're not from the area. Highly recommended.
We were staying in Little Langdale so thats our start point but you can obviously start anywhere. Take the route in a clockwise direction.
From Little Langdale the drove track over to Elterwater is rocky and good fun, then its a good climb on road up to High Close, before dropping down and passing through the gate to get onto Loughrigg Fell. The first section is a fast downhill run to an intersection.

From MTB Brighton 2009

Take the higher path here which widens in a 100 meters or so, joining the main track up to the caves. Definitely worth a look, and a wander inside if you ignore the warnings.

From MTB Brighton 2009

From MTB Brighton 2009

Downhill from here along Rydal Water, but turning right before Pelter Bridge to skirt the east side of the Fell. After a couple of km you take a lane/bridleway up a bitch of a steep, long climb to the Fell. This track turns to dirt but continues all the way to Ivy Crag and then down to Loughrigg Tarn.

From MTB Brighton 2009

We turn off before the tarn and head down the hill to Skelwith Bridge. Follow the permissive path from here along the riverside all the way to Elterwater. Nice and wet.