As trusted experts in family cycling, Cycle Sprog has been at the forefront of promoting and supporting cycling with children since 2012. Based in Kendal, our team is deeply embedded in the local cycling community and passionate about helping families discover the joy of riding together.
Whether you’re an experienced family seeking new off-road adventures or just starting out with a balance bike, Cycle Sprog offers dependable advice tailored to your needs.
Founded by Karen Gee, a mother of two who identified a lack of online resources for family cycling, Cycle Sprog has grown over the past 12 years into the UK’s leading family cycling website, proudly run from our office in Kendal.
Emily Wormald, our Reviews and Rides editor, local MTB guide, and founder of the Lakes Gravel Gang—a thriving local women’s cycling group—is here to share her expert recommendations for family-friendly cycling routes in and around Kendal.
Balance bike and little bike-friendly
- Kendal canal path – Starting at the leisure centre, Gooseholme Park or wherever is convenient along the canal. The old canal is a brilliant section of Kendal for balance bikes and little peddalers. Just make sure they stop at each road junction!
- Riverside Path and Abbot Hall playground – The riverside around Abbot Hall Park is a brilliant stretch for little cyclists to practise their pedalling, with the bonus of playing in the playground and looking at the river along the way.
- Riverside Path – Another section of the riverside path, behind the police station is perfect for little ones.
Skills and pump tracks
Pump tracks and skills parks are brilliant for family days out as they are motor traffic-free, are brilliant for developing riders’ skills, balance and coordination and are ideal for all ages – from balance bikers to teenagers.
Kendal Castle playground – A fun little park with a cycling skills course suitable for all ages. From berms to sea saws and weaving around posts, this is a fun little place for all ages.
The Adventure – up in between Kirkbarrow and Vickarage Park, this play area has a little ‘off-road’ skills cycling course. Aimed at confident cyclists this would also be fun for little ones, combined with a play in the playground.
Kendal skatepark – Kendal skatepark is a traditional, simple, skate park with a few ramps, a small bowl and a quarter pipe.
Cumbria’s best pump tracks:
Windermere pump track
Allithwaite pump track
Ingleton pump track
Keswick pump track
Family bike rides in Cumbria
Windermere lake shore – up to 15km but shorter if needed.
Suitable for all ages, the Windermere car and passenger ferry really is brilliant!
The trail is undulating along the lake shore but is suitable for trailers, balance bikes, Tagalogs and little independent riders. It’s fairly flat with a couple of short steep hills, so a tiny bit of walking might be required.
After crossing the lake on the ferry, head north along the cycle path towards the National Trust owned Wray Castle, a stunning Victorian folly. If you make it that far there is plenty of space for a picnic or you can stop at Joey’s cafe, throw stones in the lake or even have a little paddle.
Newby Bridge to Lakeside – West Windermere trail- 3km
This short stretch of cycle track from Lakeside is perfect for balance bikers and little riders.
Lakeside has a large car park, a boat launch, steam trains and a cafe – so it’s a brilliant family day out even without the bikes!
The West Windermere Way follows the steam railway track, over some bridges and weaves its way towards Newby Bridge.
Simply turn around when you’ve had enough.
The terrain is all hard-packed gravel cycle tracks or tarmac, so is suitable for all bikes. There are several gates, but all are wide enough for trailers, cargo bikes and wheelchair users.
Grange prom – 3km
Grange Promenade has perfect smooth tarmac for balance bikers and younger kids. It’s a lovely traffic-free 1-mile promenade that you can access from the railway station. It is great for safe balance biking and ice cream eating which always goes down a treat!
The park at Grange also has a brilliant duck pond and lots of ice cream shops, making it a wonderful family day out.
If you have a very young child who loves riding their balance bike while you walk alongside, an exciting outing is to take the train from Arnside to Grange-over-Sands. This train crosses Morecambe Bay in just over 5 minutes with fabulous views over the Lake District. Alternatively, there is plenty of parking at Grange.
Coniston lake shore – 5km
This cycling route along Coniston shoreline is brilliant for all ages. From balance bikes to full family bike rides, trailers and tagalongs, it’s a beautiful ride that’s sure to keep everyone happy!
It follows gravel trails and farm tracks out along the shore of the lake and returns along the same way, so you can turn around when little legs have had enough.
The route starts and finishes at the cafe and car park at Coniston Boating Centre.
Family mountain bike rides
If you and your family are keen on a little more adventure, these are our favourite family mountain bike trails in the area.
Three rivers – Staveley – 13km
A hilly, short ride, but with some fun mountain biking and river crossings! Recommended for ages 10+
Reward your kids’ efforts with ice cream from Kimmis at the end!
Whinlatter – North Lakes – various distances
A trail centre with purpose-built mountain bike trails. The blue trails are fun for all abilities and the red for more confident riders.
For more routes, information and inspiration, head to our best family bike rides in the Lake District route guide.
Askham Fell and Lowther trails – North Lakes – various distances
Lowther castle has developed a selection of gravel cycle trails which are brilliant for all ages, including trailers and seats. If your child is keen for more adventure, the climb onto Askham fell is rewarded with brilliant views and fun descents.
Trowbarrow Quarry – A short drive out of Kendal, Trowbarrow Quarry has some small handmade MTB trails, bumps and small jumps. Ideal for younger riders and a bit of a play outside.
Cycling groups and clubs
If your child (or you!) loves cycling and you want to get out with other kids, families and parents then there are a range of cycling groups and clubs in the area.
Children’s cycling clubs:
Kendal Cycle Club juniors: https://www.kendal.cc/juniors/
Kendal Tri Club: https://www.kendaltri.co.uk/juniors/
Family rides for mums and kids:
Lakes Gravel Gang: https://lakesgravelgang.co.uk/
Accessible cycling for children or adults needing adaptive bikes:
Wheels for all: https://wheelsforall.org.uk/locations/kendal-wheels-for-all
Kendal and its surrounding areas offer a wealth of family-friendly cycling routes that cater to all ages and abilities. Whether you’re introducing your little one to the joys of balance biking or seeking more challenging trails for older children eager to test their mountain biking skills, there’s something here for everyone.
At Cycle Sprog, we’re committed to helping families create memorable cycling experiences, and we hope these route recommendations inspire you to get out and explore the beautiful landscapes on your doorstep.
If you are new to Cycle Sprog, or family cycling, check out our website for more information on getting started cycling with kids, how to pick the right kids bike, how to carry your kids by bike if they are little, kit reviews and much more!
Happy cycling!
Kendal Parent Network 