In 1983, Lake District fell running legend Joss Naylor completed the 105-mile Lakes, Meres and Waters route in a staggering 19 hours and 14 minutes, visiting all 27 of the Lake District's lakes, meres, and waters from Loweswater to Over Water. He described it as one of the best routes he ever ran.

Part guidebook, part memoir, this unique Cicerone book by award-winning author Vivienne Crow interweaves Naylor's first-hand stories of that legendary 1983 run with practical route notes for walkers and runners who want to follow in his footsteps. The 105-mile route is divided into 10 stages of 9 to 14 miles, making it achievable on a more relaxed schedule.

• Follow in the footsteps of the King of the Fells on the 105-mile Lakes, Meres and Waters route from Loweswater to Over Water, visiting all 27 of the Lake District's lakes, meres, and waters across 10 stages of 9 to 14 miles
• Experience the story behind the route through Joss Naylor's first-hand accounts of his 1983 run, his memories of the fell running scene of the 1980s, his working life, and his upbringing in the Wasdale Valley
• Plan your Lakes, Meres and Waters adventure with practical stage-by-stage route notes, GPX files to download, and a full route summary table to help organise your journey
• Discover all 27 lakes, meres, and waters of the Lake District along the route, from Loweswater, Crummock Water, Buttermere, and Ennerdale Water in the west to Ullswater, Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, and Over Water in the north
• Be inspired by breathtaking photography throughout the book, capturing the wild fells and shimmering waters of the Lake District in all their beauty, alongside Naylor's stories and anecdotes from one of British fell running's most remarkable careers

A book to inspire, move, and motivate, Joss Naylor's Lakes, Meres and Waters is an essential addition to the shelf of any Lake District walker, runner, or fell enthusiast. Follow the King of the Fells across some of the most beautiful 105 miles in England.

Joss Naylor's Lakes, Meres and Waters of the Lake District – Quick Facts

Guidebook name: Joss Naylor's Lakes, Meres and Waters of the Lake District: Loweswater to Over Water  
Authors: Joss Naylor and Vivienne Crow  
Location: England – Lake District National Park, Cumbria  
Start point: Loweswater  
End point: Over Water  
Route covered: 105 miles (169km)  
Number of stages: 10 stages (9–14 miles/14.5–22.4km each)  
Typical duration: Takes multiple days by walkers; Joss Naylor completed the full route in 19 hours and 14 minutes in 1983  
Difficulty: Covers a range of terrain, including valley paths, high passes, and rough pathless fell sections; map and compass skills essential  
Terrain: Valley paths, high mountain passes, rough fell ground, and lakeside paths throughout the Lake District  
Lakes, meres and waters visited: All 27, including Loweswater, Crummock Water, Buttermere, Ennerdale Water, Wastwater, Devoke Water, Coniston Water, Windermere, Ullswater, Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, and Over Water  
Navigation/mapping: GPX files available to download; route summary table and marshal split times from Joss's 1983 run included  
Best time to go: Suitable year-round; Joss completed the route in June; be prepared for snow and ice in winter

 Author Highlight

“‘It’s summat special, like.’ Ask Lake District fell-running legend Joss Naylor why he always describes the Lakes, Meres and Waters (LMW) as one of the best routes he ever ran, and that is the answer you’ll invariably receive. Spend an entire summer with him – rewalking the route, chatting about his memories of it, immersing yourself in it – and you begin to understand that it was one of those moments in his life when landscape and weather, and mind and body, were perfectly aligned.” 

- Vivienne Crow, author of Joss Naylor's Lakes, Meres and Waters of the Lake District

Map Key

Overview map

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1 Loweswater to Ennerdale

Chapter 2 Ennerdale to Eskdale Green

Chapter 3 Eskdale Green to Dunnerdale

Chapter 4 Dunnerdale to Coniston

Chapter 5 Coniston to Skelwith Bridge

Chapter 6 Skelwith Bridge to Troutbeck

Chapter 7 Troutbeck to Haweswater

Chapter 8 Haweswater to Glenridding

Chapter 9 Glenridding to Keswick

Chapter 10 Keswick to Over Water

Appendix A Marshals and split times for Joss’s 1983 LMW

Appendix B Glossary of dialect terms and topographical features

Appendix C The 27 lakes, meres and waters

Appendix D Route summary table

Appendix E Some of Joss’s challenge runs

Seasons

Joss completed the route in June. Walkers and runners should be able to follow in his footsteps all year round, but be prepared for snow and ice in winter.

Centres

Route: Loweswater - Buttermere - Ennerdale - Wasdale - Eskdale Green - Seathwaite (Dunnerdale) - Coniston - Skelwith Bridge - Ambleside - Troutbeck - Kentmere - Haweswater - Hartsop - Glenridding - Keswick - Over Water

Difficulty

The route covers a range of terrain, including valley paths, high passes and some rough, pathless fell sections. It also visits a couple of summits. No special equipment is needed, although map and compass skills are essential. Sections range from 9 miles (14.5km) to 13.9 miles (22.4km).

Must See

The Lake District's 27 lakes, meres and waters - Loweswater, Crummock Water, Buttermere, Ennerdale Water, Wastwater, Devoke Water, Goat's Water, Low Water, Levers Water, Coniston Water, Esthwaite Water, Elter Water, Grasmere, Rydal Water, Windermere, Skeggles Water, Kentmere Reservoir, Small Water, Blea Water, Haweswater, Hayeswater, Brothers Water, Ullswater, Thirlmere, Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake and Over Water.

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