Cycle It
Cycling the Towpath Trail from Kendal to Lancaster
The Towpath Trail can be enjoyed on a Mountain Bike, Hybrid or Road Bike. Follow the route links below for our recommendations!
Mountain / Gravel Bikes
This is a great option for a day out, starting at either Kendal or Lancaster railway station and returning by train. To read more about taking your bike on the train follow this link.
The northern section of the towpath between Kendal and Stainton has footpath status (walkers only). On your bike, follow lanes south from Kendal through Natland, Sedgwick and Hincaster to pick up the Towpath Trail on Well Heads Lane, east of Hincaster Tunnel and southwest of Stainton.
One mile of improved towpath is followed by a rougher surface through Crooklands, Farleton, Holme, Burton-in-Kendal and Tewitfield to Carnforth with spectacular views along the way of Farleton Fell and Hutton Roof Crags. South from Carnforth it’s tarmac all the way into Lancaster city centre.
Follow this map to help navigate the parts where the canal is interrupted by roads and/or watch Daves video for more handy tips.
Road Bikes
Get your road bike out and follow the canal corridor via National Cycle Network 6, one of the longest signposted cycle routes in Britain (London to the Lake District).
Following NCN Route 6 means you are close to the Towpath Trail whist enjoying nearby hidden gems such as Dallam Deer Park and Beetham. You’ll join the tarmac-surfaced Towpath Trail in Carnforth where it’s smooth riding into Lancaster city centre.
Family Cycling now & in the future
At present there is a good surface for family cycling south from Carnforth to Lancaster.
By early 2025 the Towpath Trail surface will have been improved from Stainton to Holme, offering five miles of flat, easy cycling to all types of cyclists.
Our long term aim is to replicate this type of improved surface all the way to Kendal to increase the off road cycling and accessibility opportunities for all.
The Towpath Trail in 'Ways Around The Bay'
Created by The Morecambe Bay Partnership ‘Ways Around the Bay’ is a fantastic resource to help plan cycling trips around Morecambe Bay.
The Towpath Trail is featured on three of the ‘pre planned’ routes, highlighted below.
Don’t forget to use the ‘Featured locations’ and ‘Points of interest’ buttons to find recommended attractions, cafes, bike and food shops that welcome cyclists.
Cycling Towpath Code
Points to remember for everyone on a bike:
- Look out for people, pets and wildlife on the towpath.
- Pay special attention to people mooring their boats. Mooring isn’t always an easy thing to do, especially on a windy day. Approach them slowly and avoid causing any alarm.
- Try to make eye contact with people approaching you, so that you can start to decide in advance the best way to pass each other.
- A nice clear stretch of towpath can present surprising obstacles and people can sometimes unexpectedly move into your path. Riding slowly will create enough stopping distance to avoid an accident.
- If you’re new to cycling, towpaths are a great place to gain confidence. For more helpful hints on getting started, why not try out Transport for London’s free online cycling skills course?
