The Lake District has a longer tradition of fell running than anywhere else in Britain, and for trail and mountain runners it remains one of the great playgrounds. Soaring ridgelines, dramatic horseshoes, ancient tracks and high mountain terrain make it one of the most rewarding trail and fell running destinations in the world, with iconic routes above Langdale, Borrowdale, Coniston and Keswick within easy reach.

Kingsley Jones's Cicerone guidebook covers 40 trail, fell and skyrunning routes across the Lake District, graded by terrain and difficulty so you can choose a run that suits your ability and ambitions on the day. Routes are organised into four sections covering the full extent of the national park, from the southern valleys to the high northern fells.

• Routes range from 5 to 21 miles and are graded by terrain type, from wide trails and single track to technical skyrunning, covering all four quadrants of the Lake District from Coniston and Langdale to Helvellyn and Skiddaw
• Classic fell race routes are included as recces, among them the Langdale Horseshoe, Borrowdale and Scafell Pike direct, giving runners the chance to follow in the footsteps of some of Britain's most celebrated mountain races
• Detailed route descriptions are supported by OS map extracts for each run, alongside key facts covering distance, ascent, descent, timings, recommended maps, transport and parking
• Downloadable GPX files are available for all 40 routes, enabling easy digital navigation on GPS devices or smartphone apps
• A comprehensive introduction covers the history of fell running in the Lake District, the best bases for a running holiday, kit and equipment, adapting to off-road terrain, navigation and mountain safety

Packed with routes for every level of runner, from short trail outings to long mountain days, this is the essential companion for anyone running in the Lake District. 

Trail and Fell Running in the Lake District - Quick Facts

Routes: 40 trail, fell and skyrunning routes 
Distance range: 5 to 21 miles 
Grading: Each route is graded by terrain type (wide trail, single track, technical skyrunning) and difficulty 
Areas covered: South-East Lakes, South-West Lakes, North-West Lakes, North-East Lakes 
Key centres: Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston, Eskdale, Borrowdale, Keswick, Buttermere, Glenridding, Threlkeld 
Highlighted routes: Helvellyn skyline, Langdale Horseshoe, Borrowdale, Scafell Pike direct, Pinnacle Ridge skyrunning, Fairfield Horseshoe, Blencathra loop, High Street, Kentmere skyline, Coledale Horseshoe 
Route information: Distance, ascent, descent, timings, recommended maps, transport and parking provided for each route 
Mapping: OS map extracts included for each route 
Digital navigation: GPX files available to download for all 40 routes 
Best season: Year-round; most popular spring to autumn

Author Highlight

“They may not have the stark granite spires of the Mont Blanc massif, or the huge mountain faces of the Himalayas or the Andes, but the old weathered Cumbrian mountains exude a majesty and history that make them more quietly stunning and fascinating. It’s a landscape that draws you in, with the next fell ever beckoning you to run its slopes, until the lure of a cosy pub beckons you back into the valley.”

- Kingsley Jones, author of Trail and Fell Running in the Lake District

CONTENTS
Overview map
Map key
Route summary table
Introduction
The Lake District
Bases for a trail and fell running holiday
Travelling to the Lake District
Travelling around the Lake District
Weather and forecasts
Maps
Safety and mountain rescue
Mountain environment
Local economy
Mountain running in the Lake District
What’s the difference between trail and fell running?
Trail and fell running kit
Adapting to the fells
Mountain skills
Navigation
Using this guide
South-East Lakes
Route 1 Loughrigg Fell circuit
Route 2 Wansfell and Troutbeck
Route 3 Fairfield Horseshoe
Route 4 Stony Cove circuit
Route 5 Kentmere skyline
Route 6 Windermere and Kentmere
Route 7 Easedale and Blea Rigg
Route 8 Grizedale Forest
Route 9 Black Crag and Tarn Hows
Route 10 Claife Heights
South-West Lakes
Route 11 Old Man of Coniston
Route 12 Langdale Horseshoe
Route 13 Three Shires loop
Route 14 Boot and Scafell
Route 15 Duddon Valley
Route 16 Scafell Pike
Route 17 Torver and Walna Scar
Route 18 Coppermines Valley
Route 19 Langstrath loop
Route 20 Tilberthwaite loop
North-West Lakes
Route 21 Buttermere and High Stile
Route 22 Catbells and High Spy
Route 23 Black Sail and Pillar
Route 24 Tour of Kirk Fell
Route 25 Mellbreak and Crummock
Route 26 Coledale Horseshoe
Route 27 Buttermere Sailbeck loop
Route 28 Borrowdale loop
Route 29 Walla Crag and Castlerigg
Route 30 Skiddaw
North-East Lakes
Route 31 Blencathra loop
Route 32 Dockray coach road
Route 33 Gowbarrow loop
Route 34 Askham and Patterdale
Route 35 Martindale circuit
Route 36 Patterdale loop
Route 37 High Street
Route 38 Helvellyn skyline
Route 39 Helvellyn tour
Route 40 Pinnacle Ridge skyrunning
Appendix A Useful contacts
 

Seasons

These trail and fell runs can be tackled throughout the year, though the most popular season is from Spring through to Autumn.

Centres

Ambleside, Windermere, Coniston, Eskdale, Borrowdale, Keswick, Buttermere, Dockray, Glenridding, Threlkeld and Rosthwaite.

Difficulty

Each route has been carefully graded to indicate the style of running terrain, from wide trails, to single track, or technical skyrunning. This ensures you select a route that suits your experience and aspirations. In addition to the technical grade, distance, height gain / loss, and timings are provided.

Must See

Explore some of the classic mountain running regions around the Lake District, the birthplace of fell running. Highlights include the routes of some of the most famous fell races in the national park including Langdale Horseshoe and Borrowdale fell races.

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