Reviewed by: Jimbo , from Burnley

Summary:
The best way, don't go all round. Start up the bridleway, the rocks are a challenge but should cause no problems. The basic ride is then a good 3 miles of up hill, rocky and muddy, good practice for intermediates, perhaps a touch beyond the J. Arthur Rank beginners, a clean climb challenge for advanced riders. The 2 downhill sections that follow are good. Steep, and you have a choice of rocky on the left or grass/mud on the right. Speed moderated by braking. No pedalling required. There is a gate and left turn half way, enabling you to recover before more. Again, the same choice of 2, one a track the other a fun grassy/mud curving slope. Again, high speed. Keep going, after 1/2 mile you come to a gate onto a road. I turn back again and do it in reverse. Great fun! The downhill becomes a just doable (with skill) clean climb for advanced riders. And the rest is long spunky downhill back to the car park. Alternatively (if you are a bit of a pussy) you can turn left at the road and get back to the car park/waterside via the road, (steep!) which degenerates into a gravelly affair and you need to turn left after the windmills to drop down a handlbar rattling long (and pretty dull) downhill.

Recommended Route:
Personally, I don't usually go all the way round the lake, too much pansy ass roady stuff and a pretty pointless long bumpy downhill/climb (depending on how you take it) on the south side.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
More than I could mention. Don't forget my burnley/halifax monster here