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Distance: 12 miles
Time to complete (approximate): one hour
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If you have little free time, or you’re just getting into cycling and need a short route, this is the perfect bike ride for you.
Setting off from Carlisle, it includes some of the beautiful industrial heritage from the area, an escape to the countryside, views to the northern fells of the Lake District, and if you’re lucky, some wildlife along the way too! It’s also a great way to improve your strength and overall fitness with some of the hills you'll have to climb.
The route:
The route:
The first step is getting out of the city, and to do this, we’re going to use Dalston Road. You can pick up Dalston Road up from Dixon’s Chimney in Carlisle, and from here it’s just under four miles to get you all the way to Dalston. Dixon’s Chimney is a great first landmark; the old industrial structure towers high above the city so it’s easy to find, and also sets the tone for a bike ride that takes in lots of other sites from the area’s industrial heritage.
Now you have a choice! If you’re brave and don’t mind cycling along a road with other traffic, you can just stay on Dalston Road (B5299) all the way to Dalston. I like this way because it’s the most direct route. Plus, as you leave the city behind, the traffic quietens down and it’s also a good workout for your legs as you'll have your first hill climb of the route. I’d definitely recommend this section if you’re trying to improve your strength and overall fitness!
Also, once you’ve climbed this hill, you’re rewarded with a long downhill pretty much all the way to Dalston. You could either use this to get some speed up and gain some time back, or just to recover and enjoy some of the scenery.
The road takes you past some beautiful crops, and also gives your first, very distant, glimpse of the northern-most fells of the Lake District.
If you don’t like being near traffic that’s fine too!
The alternative option is to head into Denton Holme from your starting point of Dixon’s Chimney. Just continue all the way through Denton Holme until you reach the river, and here you’ll pick up the river path (National Cycle Route 7). The path is only shared with other bikes and pedestrians, and will take you all the way to Dalston. It’s largely flat and stays beside the river – so not only is it safer, but it’s also easier and very scenic. (Just to warn, though – when there’s heavy rain in the winter, the path is prone to flooding and may become impassable before you get to Dalston).
If it’s Carlisle’s industrial history you’re interested in, the cycle path beside the river is a great way to go as you’ll pass through Cummersdale and see some of the beautiful old mills along the way!
Whatever route you choose, both will eventually lead you to the big Nestle factory, just inside of Dalston. Once here, you should carry on along the main road through the village, passing the school, and then the small cluster of shops and pubs along the way. You’ll soon reach the big village green that’s across the road from the Co-op (if you need to stop for refreshments, Dalston has it all!).
When you arrive here, turn left into the entrance of the village green, and then continue along the wide path that leads all the way through the green and onto a small bridge at the other end. If you continue over the bridge, you’ll cross the river and arrive at a narrow country lane. You'll want to bear slightly right here as the lane forks off in several directions, so you take the lane that’s just ahead of you.
If you have time to take a little look around, you’ll see the chimney from another beautiful old mill, hidden amongst the gathering of trees. If not, just press on and up the slight hill-climb ahead of you!
At the top of the hill you’ll reach a main road that leads to Durdar – you won’t be travelling along this road, though. Whilst you sit at the junction, almost straight ahead of you across the road, you should see the opening to a narrow country road – it’s slightly to the right on the other side of the road. That’s where you need to head next! This is a nice old country lane that leads all the way to a small hamlet called Raughton.
When you get on this lane you’re well into the countryside, with crops as far as you can see - all constantly changing with each season that passes, and giving lots of quirky little sights.
I always stop when I get to the end of the houses in Raughton, as there’s a great view out to the fells. You’re right on the northern edge of the Lake District here, and can see the likes of Carrock Fell and High Pike in the distance.
After enjoying the view, continue straight along the road and climb a slight hill until you see a farm on your right-hand side.
Just ahead, on the other side, you’ll see a road turning off to your left, signposted as Durdar and Carlisle. You need to take this road! It’s another nice and quiet country road, this time with views on your left towards Carlisle in the distance (and even Scotland in the further distance). On your right there are views across more fields leading to the Pennines in the distance. If you’re lucky, you’ll see some wildlife as you continue along the way too!
If you continue along this road past fields for a mile or so more, you’ll reach another junction. Take a left and continue along this road, which will take you towards houses and the Black Lion pub in Durdar. This is your route back to Carlisle!
There are still some nice views, particularly towards the Pennines, as you head towards Durdar.
Once you’re past Durdar, you’re almost back in the city. As you pass Carlisle Race Course, the roads get a bit busier and houses begin to line the streets on either side of you. If you stay on this road, it will take you through Upperby and Blackwell Road, until you pass through the big residential area and eventually reach the city centre.
For a final bit of nice scenery, though, I usually turn off of Blackwell Road when I get to Jubillee Road (on the left side). If you continue along Jubillee Road it brings you onto Lund Crescent, where you’ll find an opening to a cycle path that leads all the way back to Denton Holme.
The path gives you views over the old mills in Denton Holme, as well as views across the city – looking back towards your starting point of Dixon’s Chimney. Once in Denton Holme you can pick up the river path that I mentioned earlier, and get back to the city centre this way.
And this concludes your brisk but beautiful little escape into the countryside! I hope you had fun, and got a little bit of exercise along the way.
(Remember - if you need navigation, you can view the route on Google Maps too!)
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