Guidebook to walking or running Britain's three most challenging long-distance mountain rounds: the Bob Graham Round (Lake District), the Paddy Buckley Round (Wales) and the Charlie Ramsay Round (Scotland). Includes practical information and advice, notes on access and environmental impact, plus insights and strategies from the likes of Jasmin Paris, Nicky Spinks, Charlie Ramsay, Jim Mann and Paddy Buckley.

Designed to inform and inspire, this larger format book is aimed at both walkers and runners (against the clock, or otherwise) keen to discover these epic and extremely challenging routes. Showcasing spectacular photography, tales from the Rounds, and the history of each - as well as invaluable information to help with planning and preparing - this book is a must for anyone embarking on one (or all!) of these iconic Rounds.

Known to mountain runners as three of the most difficult 24-hour challenges in the world, each Big Round is a long-distance classic in the history and culture of 'fell' or hill running. Collectively, the 'Big 3' take in 113 mountain summits (including the highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland), over 25,000m (83,000ft) of ascent and nearly 300km (183 miles) across three of Britain's most distinct mountain ranges - the Snowdonia National Park in Wales, the Lake District National Park in England, and a vast area of Lochaber in the highlands of Scotland.

Acknowledgements

Map key

Overview map

Preface

Introduction

What are the Big Rounds?

Using this book

The book’s approach

Mountaincraft and personal safety

When to go

Who to go with

Equipping for the Rounds

Environmental impact and leave no trace

Access and the right to roam – differences in law and in practice

The Bob Graham Round

Route guide

Leg 1 Keswick to Threlkeld

Leg 2 Threlkeld to Dunmail Raise

Leg 3 Dunmail Raise to Wasdale

Leg 4 Wasdale to Honister Pass

Leg 5 Honister Pass to Keswick

Practicalities

Getting there and around

Water

Suggested backpacker’s itinerary

Alternative ways to complete the Bob Graham Round

Places to stay and resupply

Support for runners

Rules for runners

The history of the Round

A runner’s story: Rob Bushby

The Paddy Buckley Round

Route guide

Leg 1 Capel Curig to Nantmor

Leg 2 Nantmor to Pont Cae’r Gors

Leg 3 Pont Cae’r Gors to Llanberis

Leg 4 Llanberis to Ogwen YHA

Leg 5 Ogwen to Capel Curig

Practicalities

Getting there and around

Water

Suggested backpacker’s itinerary

Alternative ways to complete the Paddy Buckley Round

Places to stay and resupply

Support for runners

Rules for runners

The history of the Round

A runner’s story: Sue Walsh

The Charlie Ramsay Round

Route guide

Leg 1 Glen Nevis to Luibeilt via the Mamores

Leg 2 Luibeilt to Fersit – the valley section

Leg 3 Fersit to Glen Nevis YHA

Practicalities

Getting there and around

Water

Suggested backpacker’s itinerary

Alternative ways to complete the Charlie Ramsay Round

Places to stay

Support for runners

Rules for runners

The history of the Round

A runner’s story: Jasmin Paris

People of the Rounds

Paddy Buckley

Wendy Dodds

Charlie Ramsay

Nicky Spinks

Helene Whitaker

Jasmin Paris

Jim Mann

Mike Hartley

Keri Wallace

Appendix A: Hills and their heights

Appendix B: Distance and elevation at a glance

Appendix C: Firsts on the Rounds

Appendix D: Round extensions, and other eye-wateringly long challenges

Appendix E: Further reading and viewing

Seasons

Predominantly spring and summer, but with advice on timed round attempts in the winter from the current record holder, Jim Mann.

Centres

England: Keswick/Ambleside/Wasdale Wales: Capel Curig/Blaenau Ffestiniog/Betws Coed/Llanberis/Ogwen Scotland: Fort William/Fersit

Difficulty

Each of the three rounds is presented as a 24-hour running challenge, and a week-long backpacking circuit. Both of these options are genuine challenges for experienced outdoors people. However, there is additional information for those who prefer a more relaxed pace. All of the routes are also described as day trips and/or as 'sections' of smaller running or backpacking routes.

Must See

The Big Rounds - running and walking the Bob Graham, the Paddy Buckley and the Charlie Ramsay rounds - is a guide to Britain's three most challenging long-distance mountain rounds, and the people who love them. These routes are grand, circular tours of the Lake District, Snowdonia and Lochaber, and the book includes a full guide to each round for both walkers and runners, the history of each round, and advice from running and backpacking experts.

July 2019

Update

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