The work of local mountain biker and bikepacker Chris Hope, the Lakeland 300 is a 186 mile (300 km) lap of the Lake District taking in some of the most dramatic mountain climbs and breathtaking views the national park has to offer.

If you’ve got legs like Chris, who placed second in the gruelling Highland Trail 550 in 2017, then you might want to tackle this challenging route in as little time as possible. If you do want to race against the clock to find out what you're capable of as an ITT (Individual Time Trial), the time to beat is an eye-watering 21 hours and 37 minutes. Alternatively you can take your time to tour the route, which we’ve divided up here into five stages for you to ride at your own pace.

The value of local knowledge is more than evident as you ride the Lakeland 300, as these are the routemaker’s regular training trails. From Lake District mountain biking classics like Loughrigg Terrace, Walna Scar Road, Garburn Pass and Skelghyll Wood to lesser known sections, you’ll be blown away by the variety and scale of the landscapes along the route.

Although there are some roads, quiet lanes and gravel tracks, a mountain bike is best for the Lakeland 300. There are a number of sections that have really challenging terrain, like the famous Lonscale Crags, Walna Scar Road and Parkamoor. Besides the technical terrain, there are also some really steep inclines, so mountain bike gearing is a real plus, especially if you’re carrying the extra weight of overnight gear. There will most likely be some hike-a-bike too, so either mountain bike shoes or flats are a good idea.

Officially, the loop starts and ends in Cockermouth in the west, though it may be easier to join in the east if you’re travelling by train, as the nearest stations are in Penrith and Carlisle, which are both on the West Coast main Line. From Penrith train station to the route near Pooley Bridge is a short 5.2 mile (8.4 km) ride. If you’re travelling to the start by car, you can find long stay parking close to the town centre in Cockermouth.

There are a number of options for overnight stays along the route, and it’s always worth booking ahead in the more popular summer season. Choose from campsites, youth hostels, inns, hotels and guesthouses, depending on what degree of luxury you fancy!