Snowdon, Snowdonia, Wales
There are higher mountains in Scotland but they're less famous than the highest in Wales, which makes the conquest of its 1,085m peak on two wheels a much more satisfying story. The trail begins by the lake at Llanberis at the foot of the mountain before leading into a calf-shredding 10km climb to the summit. The gradient eases slightly as you descend via the Rangers path on the other side.
Difficulty: 5/5
Derwent Water, Lake District, England
Derwent Water, Lake District, England
Starting out in the small Lake District village of Keswick, this undulating route takes you on a full circuit of Derwent Water, England's fifth largest lake. The trail features some rocky downhill sections and singletrack climbs through dense forests on the east side of the lake, while the final descent back to the village is on a road.
Difficulty 3/5
Princetown, Dartmoor, England 23.3km
The village of Princetown, where this trail starts and finishes, is the highest on Dartmoor at an elevation of 453m. The route begins with a wide, rocky track that leads all the way down to Burrator reservoir. After completing a loop of the reservoir, it's a slow and steady climb but challening climb through wild, exposed moorlands, ensuring you arrive back at the village with aching legs.
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