Road, mountain and e-bikes available from valley towns to forest trail centres — this guide covers where to hire, what it costs, and how to book.
Where to rent · what it costs
You don't need to bring your own bike to ride the Lakes. Bike hire in the Lake District is everywhere — from town-centre shops in Keswick and Windermere to hire right at the forest trail centres of Grizedale and Whinlatter. Whether you want straightforward cycle hire for a flat lakeside path, a full-suspension mountain bike for a red-graded trail, or e-bike hire to make the passes painless, there's a local operator for it. This guide is built around real hire shops, typical bike rental prices and how to book — so you can sort the bike before you arrive. Already know where you want to ride? See our Lake District cycle routes guide.
Section 1
Before you pick an operator, decide what kind of bike suits your day. Electric bike hire, mountain bikes and road or hybrid bikes each shine in different parts of the Lakes.
The pedal-assist motor flattens the climbs and turns the passes into a genuinely enjoyable day rather than a slog. E-bike hire is the best choice for hills, mixed-ability groups, families riding together, and older or less confident riders who want more miles with less effort.
Hardtail or full-suspension mountain bike hire is what you want for the trail centres — Whinlatter's Altura and Grizedale's North Face Trail. Full-suspension costs more but soaks up the rocky, technical descents; a hardtail is fine for green and blue waymarked loops.
For lake loops and the traffic-free railway paths, a road, hybrid or gravel bike is ideal — light, efficient and comfortable on tarmac and smooth tracks. Hybrids are the everyday all-rounder for casual riders and the family paths.
Road, mountain, gravel, e-bikes, tandems and kids' bikes, trailers and child seats are all available somewhere in the Lakes — it's just a case of matching the operator to the ride.
Section 2
Where to hire across the Lakes, with the local operators and what each spot suits. Links open the operator's own booking site in a new tab.
MTB and e-bike hire in the heart of the forest, open all year — ride straight onto the waymarked trails, from gentle green loops to the black-grade North Face Trail.
Suits: Grizedale waymarked MTB trails. Things to do in Hawkshead
Biketreks Grizedale
On-site MTB + e-bike hire. Note: latest hire collection ~1pm, return by ~4pm; book ~20hrs ahead in summer.
Book at grizedale-bikes.co.ukRoad, mountain and electric bikes in the busiest part of the Lakes — perfect for the traffic-free Windermere West Shore path, with Bowness venues placing families straight onto the car ferry.
Suits: Windermere West Shore traffic-free path. Windermere · Bowness
Country Lanes Cycle Centre
Windermere village; road, MTB and electric hire.
countrylaneslakedistrict.co.ukWindermere Canoe Kayak (WCK) Bike Hire
Windermere + Bowness venues; Bowness suits families heading for the West Shore ferry.
windermerecanoekayak.comE-bike hire right by the water — an easy, scenic base for a relaxed circuit of Coniston Water with the Old Man of Coniston as the backdrop.
Suits: Coniston Water loop. Things to do in Coniston
Two town-centre shops with electric and regular hire, ideally placed for the flat, traffic-free Keswick to Threlkeld railway path.
Suits: Keswick → Threlkeld railway path. Things to do in Keswick
Whinlatter Bikes
Town-centre shop, 82 Main Street; online booking, electric + regular.
whinlatterbikes.comE-Venture Bikes
E-bike specialist opposite the bus station; route guides included.
e-venturebikes.co.ukTrail-centre MTB and e-bike hire on site at the Altura trail, with coaching and guided rides available — ride straight onto the red and green/blue waymarked loops.
Suits: Whinlatter Altura (red) and Quercus (green/blue) trails. See the MTB routes
Cyclewise Whinlatter
On-site MTB + e-bike hire at the Altura trail; coaching and guided rides.
cyclewise.co.ukHybrid and mountain e-bikes near Ulverston, with delivery across Cumbria by arrangement — handy if you're staying away from the main hire towns. Took over the old Grizedale Mountain Bikes hire.
Suits: South Lakes lanes and forest fringe.
Lake District Bikes
Lowick Green, nr Ulverston; hybrid + mountain e-bikes, delivery by arrangement.
lakedistrictbikes.comNo hire shop in your village (Grasmere and Ambleside have gaps)? E-bikes can be delivered to where you're staying across the South Lakes, with self-guided tours and routes included. Age 14+.
Suits: anywhere in the South Lakes with no local hire.
E-Bike Safaris
Kendal-based; e-bikes delivered to your accommodation, self-guided tours with routes.
ebikesafaris.comBike hire on the quieter eastern edge of the national park, a handy base for Ullswater and the eastern fells.
Suits: Ullswater and the eastern fells. Things to do in Penrith
Arragons Cyclecentre
Penrith cycle shop with hire, handy for Ullswater and the eastern fells.
arragons.comSection 3
Prices vary by shop, season and bike, so treat these as typical Lake District bike hire prices rather than a quote — always check the operator's current rates when you book.
| Bike type | Half day (approx) | Full day (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard hybrid / mountain bike | from ~£20 | ~£30–40 |
| Full-suspension mountain bike | ~£50 | ~£70 |
| Electric bike (e-bike) | from ~£40+ | ~£50–70+ |
| Kids' bikes / trailers / child seats | lower | lower |
Trail-centre and forest hire at Grizedale and Whinlatter is often the best value — and you ride straight from the shop with no transport costs. E-bikes cost more than standard bikes, but they save you on the hills, which can be worth every penny on a Lakeland climb.
Section 4
A few practical things worth sorting before you turn up for your hire.
Summer fills up fast and the forest centres sell out. Grizedale advises booking around 20 hours' notice in the busy season — don't bank on turning up on a sunny weekend.
Proof of address is often required to hire — a utility bill is fine, and most shops accept it on your phone. Check the operator's terms when you book.
Helmets are usually included with hire — but confirm when you book, and ask about locks, lights and child seats if you need them too.
Forest centres have early last-collection and return cut-offs — at Grizedale, latest collection is around 1pm with returns by about 4pm. Start early to get a full day's riding.
E-bikes come charged for the day, and there are plenty of charge points across Cumbria if you're out for longer. Ask about range and assist modes when you collect.
Pack layers — a sunny valley can be a wet, windy fell an hour later. Check live weather in the planner before you set off.
No hire in your village — say you're staying in Grasmere? E-bikes can be delivered straight to your accommodation across the South Lakes, so you can ride from the door.
FAQ
Tell us your ability, group and budget and we'll build your Lake District cycling itinerary — routes, parking, live weather and total cost. Select Cycling Tour mode in the planner.
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