Guide Notes
Panel 1
Ravnenglass to Silloth
53 miles - 22 miles off road.



This section follows a mixture of off-road tracks and railway paths, minor roads, and some short sections on busy main roads.

Between Ravenglass and Sellafield the route barely rises higher than 20 m above sea level before climbing gradually up the River Ehen valley to Moor Row and the highest point of this section at 80 m above sea level.

Here Hadrian's Cycleway joins the C2C route from Whitehaven - turning back towards the coast downhill into Whitehaven before continuing north to Workington.

An alternative route via St. Bees is available, this is hilly but has good coastal scenery.

The first few miles out of Workington are off-road - then the route follows a temporary route around Flimby - to avoid using the busy A595(T) road - before using a new off-road path along the coast to Maryport. An alterative route is being investigated.

After a few miles on the sea front promenade it continues along the coastal B5300 road to Oldkiln where the route turns inland using minor back roads - to avoid the busy coast road - and on to Silloth. There are plans for an off-road path alongside the B5300.

Several sections as indicated on this panel are not yet up to National Cycle Network standards and will change as work is completed - if in doubt follow any directions signs.


Glannaventa Bath House - Ravenglass

These notes are to offer advice and highlight any problem areas along the route.
Click the highlighted place names for more information.
Highlighted Towns link to Visit Cumbria website.
West Cumbria Coast - Overview

Mile
Notes / Comments / Warnings
0.0

Ravenglass
The official start is from Glannaventa Roman Bath House
about 1/2 mile south of Ravenglass Railway Station.
0.6

Very narrow accommodation bridge next to rail viaduct over River Mite.
You will need to dismount to cross. Bikes with wide handlebars may have difficulty.
There is a tidal ford which can be ridden at low tide, this has a 20m wide shallow channel with stepping stones to cross.
The track to Saltcoats is liable to tidal flooding at high tides and is rough and sandy.


Rail Viaduct at Ravenglass
Foreshore track leading to Saltcoates
Brdge ovt1he River Mite and Foreshore track leading to Salt
1.3

Before Level Crossing turn left then right to pass under the railway at mile 2.0
2.9

Interim Route via Holmrook.
Beware busy A595(T) road to Holmrook, there is a roadside path but this not designated for cycle use. This road can be very busy during the rush hour with Sellafield commuters.
When the proposed route (shown by brown dotted line) is upgraded the cycle route will be via Holme Packhorse Bridge - at the present time this route is very muddy especially after wet weather and only suitable for use during dry weather. The undefined path around the edge of the field is bumpy and rough.


Holme Packhorse Bridge

7.0
Seascale
The route along the foreshore is narrow, soft and sandy in places - you may have to push.
This path is to be upgraded in the future.
An alternative route on-road and bridleway is shown on the map and rejoins at Beckermet.
8.1 Bridge over River Calder - rough stony path leading under rail bridge then steps up and around to accommodation bridge alongside the railway bridge.
9.0

The cycle track switches sides as it passes the Sellafield Nuclear Facility - this area can be busy with rush hour traffic. The "Sellafield Visitors Centre" is a short detour from the route.


The Sellafield Nuclear Site dominates the landscape here.
9.6 Easy to miss - follow signs and turn towards Sellafield entrance then cross road to follow the track around and under the road.
11.7 Braided Route to Egremont
Via Thornhill or Braystone (2 miles longer)
11.7

Braided route to Whitehaven via St. Bees - as shown on map.
This route is all on-road and much more hilly than the inland route via Egremont but has good coastal scenery.
12.5 Turn left before junction with A595(T) road.
15.0

Egremont. (see map insert)
Easy to miss - turn right at Tourist Information Centre and pass under the A596(T).

15.5 Left turn - easy to miss - narrow path alongside field, use ramp down to the railpath.
16.5 Woodend - jink right then left through village.
16.8 Turn right to join railpath to Moor Row.
17.5 Moor Row - HCW joins the C2C route here - bear left downhill to Whitehaven.
19.5

Whitehaven (see map insert)
The next few miles leading into Whitehaven are convoluted and there are problems with broken glass on the track in some areas. Take care passing under some of the railway bridges as the headroom is quite low. See insert on HCW map for an enlarged map of Whitehaven.
22.0 Pass the Start for the Coast to Coast (C2C) cycle route to Sunderland or Tynemouth.
22.4 Short distance on a busy road - then first turn left and left again into Wagon Road before continuing off-road to Parton
24.4

Lowca - at top of climb turn right along a rough track to join railpath to Distington.


Railpath between Lowca and Distington
Photo by David Daniel
28.6

Workington (see map insert)
At end of the railpath - pass through the Sports Centre car park then along a verge path to rejoin railpath through Workington.
30.7

After crossing River Derwent the Coast to Coast (C2C) cycle route joins from the left for about 1/4 mile before swinging away to the right and Cockermouth.


Left for Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72
Right for Coast to Coast (C2C) NCN 71 and Reviers RR10

33.3

Interim Route
St. Helens - at end of the off-road cycle path HCW follows a temporary route around and through Flimby to avoid using the very busy A596(T) road - which still has to be crossed twice. This involves a climb up a stony track before descending along a rough lane.

This will be bypassed once a new path is constructed along the land contours from the large factory at St. Helens to Flimby Village with a safe crossing point - with central refuge - over the A596(T) road at St. Helens

The route shown on the map involves passing through an underpass with only 1.3m height !!
This is due to be dug out in the near future and a path constructed from the road crossing point. To avoid this continue on road and take first left turn over railway to Glasson.


The underpass at Risehow

Potential future route(s) avoiding this area being negotiated - please do not jeopardise these negotiations. Note this temporary section is not signed.

Take great care crossing the A596(T) road at St. Helens and again at Risehow.

  Click here for map showing the temporary route around Flimby to Maryport.
36.5

Maryport
Cross over the river and along the sea front promenade to Banks End.
For Senhouse Museum - follow tourist signs from harbour up through the town.
To rejoin the main route backtrack through the town.

 


Senhouse Museum & Alauna Roman Fort

38.3 At Banks End join the Golf Club access road and then the B5300 road.
Negotiations are in place to agree a traffic free path alongside this road.
Take care - this road can be busy in the summer.
39.6

Crosscanonby Milefortlet and Salt Pans
42.0
43.0

Oldkiln
Turn right across B5300 with care to Edderside and follow minor roads on to Silloth.
This section follows a very twisty route along narrow lanes !!
Take care to look for direction signs at each junction or fork in the road.
48.3

Mawbray Hayrigg - The Gincase - tea rooms, craft barn and gallery.
50.7 Join B5301 - check for traffic from your right.
52.1 Junction with B5300 - take care
53.0 Silloth
Pass Holiday camp entrance and follow B5300 then straight ahead into Bravo Close, left to Station Road right and into cobbled Criffel Street. (see insert map panel 2)

Panel 2 - Silloth to Haltwhistle