Cycling
More and more cyclists are making use of the train to join the Eskdale TRail, while Trek 4300 Mountain Bike hire at Dalegarth Visitor Centre ensures visitors can travel by train from Ravenglass before exploring three specifically devised routes in the Eskdale valley by bike.
Cycle Carriages
Each train has one carriage designed to carry cycles. Pre-booking of cycles with at least 24-hours notice is essential to guarantee a space for your bike. Please 'phone 01229 717171 and ask to speak to Ravenglass Ticket Office.
The Eskdale TRail
The 8½-mile (14km) Eskdale TRail is a fully way-marked route taking cyclists from Dalegarth Visitor Centre through Eskdale away from cars to the coast at Ravenglass. Suitable for all ages, there is only one section where some might decide to push rather than ride their bikes. The TRail guide, available from both Ravenglass gift shop and the Scafell Gift Shop at Dalegarth, includes a full description of the route, a comprehensive scale map, plus money off vouchers. To join the TRail, pre-book your bikes on the train, park your car at Ravenglass, purchase single journey tickets and cycle tickets to Dalegarth. The TRail delivers you back to the Railway car park.
Cycle Routes in Eskdale
The Scafell Gift Shop at Dalegarth Visitor Centre sell three specially designed cycle route cards, each of which fully describe and carefully illustrate with numbers a route starting and finishing at Dalegarth Visitor Centre. Each card is laminated to suit all weather conditions. Ideal for use with hired bikes, or as an alternative to the Eskdale TRail for pre-booked bikes on the trains.
Bike Hire
Budgie Bike Hire have totally revamped the package of bike hire based at Dalegarth Station and Visitor Centre and now offer the professional's choice of Trek 4300 Mountain Bikes in three sizes - small 16" frame, medium 18" frame and large 19". Ideal for Eskdale's rugged terrain and suitable for all ages over and above a decent sized 10-year old.
Full day hire costs £14 and half-day hire is charged at £8. The bikes are available whenever trains are running.
It is recommended that availability is checked before travelling as at certain times it is not unusual for all the bikes to be in use. Please note that it isn't possible to join the train with your bike unless pre-booked or to join any train at an intermediate station.
Contact the Scafell Gift Shop on 019467 23226 for availability. The 'phone is manned whenever trains are running, but out of normal trading hours a message can be left on 01229 717171 (24-hour answer-phone service).
For full details of the services offered by Budgie Bikes see our links page.
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway - Tel: 01229 717171 | Email: steam@ravenglass-railway.co.uk | Site by Cypher