This month, get 20% off selected guidebooks to the Alps. Browse participating guidebooks on our Special Offers page.
Wansfell and Troutbeck trail run
Trail and Fell Running in the Lake District: A sample route

Trail and Fell Running in the Lake District: A sample route

Here's a sample route from the new Cicerone guidebook to Trail and Fell Running in the Lake District, written by Kingsley Jones. This level 2 run is 6 miles long with an expected duration of 1hr 45mins.


A sample route: Wansfell and Troutbeck

Start/FinishWhite Lion pub, Ambleside
Distance9.8km (6 miles)
Ascent/Descent475m (1560ft)
GradeTrail running, Level 2
Time1hr 45min
High pointWansfell Pike (482m/1581ft)
Maps1:25,000 OS Map OL7, 1:40,000 Harvey Lake District
Public transportBus 555/599 from Windermere/Keswick
ParkingPay & display car park on Lake Road
The new Cicerone guidebook to Trail and Fell Running in the Lake District, written by Kingsley Jones.

This route follows the ascent of the famous Wansfell Race, which is held annually the day after Boxing Day. The amazing record of 18min 56sec has been held by Kenny Stuart since 1983 for the round trip to the summit: from the start at Bilbo’s Café to the finish at the old Kelsick Grammar School. This route is much more than the Wansfell Race, as you explore the SE slopes heading into the Troutbeck valley, with stunning views down Windermere.

Route 2 From Trail And Fell Running In The Lake District

1 Turn L out of the pub and follow Stockghyll Lane up past Bilbo’s Café, then it curves R and ascends steeply past Stockghyll Force. Pass the old school and cross a cattle grid to leave the woodland behind. Follow the farm road for 250m until you see a footpath sign to Wansfell on the right.

2 Cross the stile over the wall and follow the path upwards. Find a sustainable running rhythm, as the ascent is very sustained. As you cross a small footbridge you leave the trees behind and emerge onto the upper fell. As the path crosses a gap in the wall the final section becomes rocky underfoot, and as you near the summit block the path veers around to the L before doubling back on itself to reach the top of Wansfell Pike.

3 Go through the black gate through the fence and continue SA on the path descending to the E. Be careful, as on this section of the descent there are often walkers ascending from Troutbeck. The steep trail soon eases off as you cross some boggy ground and reach the gate to enter the Nanny Lane track. Turn R and follow the walled path down into Troutbeck village. The lower section is running on loose gravel, so neat footwork is required, and there is a sharp R then L to enter a farmyard and the road.

4 Turn R along the road and follow it for 800m before turning off R just after the village store and post office, onto Robin Lane. This farm track heads steadily upwards. At the junction with the Hundreds Road, which joins from the R, run SA through the gate and along the trail and across a ford, to reach a farm track at the next gate.

5 Turn R and up the hill through the farmyard of High Skelghyll Farm, then onwards into Skelghyll Wood. The track becomes a little steeper in sections, and it’s often wet underfoot. Continue SA past Jenkin Crag and around the corner after the bridge over Stencher Beck. The trail emerges from the woods and follows a walled lane, with views down to the L to Waterhead. As you pass the house at Strawberry Bank the track turns to tarmac and descends into Ambleside.

6 When you reach Old Lake Road, turn R and run up it until it merges with Lake Road. Continue SA and after 200m you’ll see the White Lion pub straight ahead of you.

More Trail and Fell Running in the Lake District

Kingsley's guidebook to Trail and Fell Running in the Lake District was published by Cicerone Press in April 2017 and contains 40 of the best trail, fell and skyrunning routes in the Lake District, including Helvellyn skyline and Scafell Pike direct. Highlights include recces of Cumbria's best ultra and fell race routes such as the Langdale Horseshoe and Borrowdale. The guide also features information on the history of fell running, races and adapting for the fells.

To read more articles like this get our newsletter

Sign up for 20% off your next purchase and to be the first to hear about exclusive competitions, special offers, and news from Cicerone.