This route circulars Norber (North Hill) near Clapham. Passing the famous Norber Erratics (from another place). Hundreds of huge rock monoliths left by a glacier. Two hour bike blasts don’t get any better than this, with no navigational problems, great views, and some top bike terrain. A mini local classic we recon.

Some of the route photos were taken during the winter. We can’t begin to tell you how grim this ride can feel during the winter months. Unless your a sucker for mud and fog which seemingly we are, then best ridden during spring or summer.

Oh and the best bit, the New Inn at Clapham, 1 minute from the end of the route serves the best pint around and superb open fires on winter days.

Terrain: Terrain loose single-track, grassy moor land, limestone tracks. the last descent can be tough in wet conditions.

Start Point:  SD 8994163805 – GPS N 54 07.192 W 2 23.418 Clapham Village, near the church (5mins off A65).

• Park where you can in Clapham village but ideally as close to the church as you can get. With the church straight ahead of you the trail begins to your right (Thwaite Lane) Cycle through the 2 tunnels.
• Continue up the hill on loose wide stony track. The track levels out after 1 mile, ignore the track on your left (Long Lane your return leg) and continue on Thwaite Lane until you reach a road with the hill of Norber on your left. Cross the road and continue down the fast downhill.
• At the next road turn left onto tarmac for about 400 metres then take the bridleway on your left opposite Silloth House following the stream. This brings you out at a cluster of farms/houses. Stick with this track/road until you reach a bridleway on your left.
• Take this slow winding track towards Crummack .After 1 mile the trail reaches a ford/clapper bridge crossing. (an ideal sarnie/pie/cake stop) Cross the ford and continue upwards towards a T junction.
• Turn right here and continue climbing past the farm at Crummack on your right. Just past the farm (5 minutes) and before the wall with a gate in it, the track veers off to the left and steeply, uphill. Take this bridleway but be careful as it follows a course roughly parallel to the wall but is not too clear on the ground further the track seems to split, take the right fork as it levels out after 1 mile onto almost surreal limestone pavements Moughton scars.
• At the next T junction turn hard left almost back on yourself, continuing on this track towards the head of Clapdale the going here is easy, downhill over smooth grass and outcrops for 1 mile, through 2 gates and the final scarily fast decent down Long Lane.
• At the next junction turn right back onto familiar terrain, through the tunnels and back to your start point
• You would be missing a vital part of this route if you didn’t visit the New Inn almost immediately!!

No food stops en route, Clapham village has a pub serving food, a post office, couple of cafes and a very small general shop.