UKC

Hi all

I'm off to the Lakes for a couple of weeks' climbing and running in Sept, however I've never really got to grips with running there before - there's just so much of it and never enough time to explore properly! So was wondering whether anyone had any suggestions for awesome routes/places to run. I'll be on my own and need routes that are fairly easily accessible and not too tricky nav-wise. I'm pretty good with a map but running is definitely my post-climb relaxation so I don't want to get lost in the mist or stressed about route-finding. That sounds like a long list of requirements I know, but anyone have any suggestions?

In reply to Maud: How far do you want to run, a huge area to cover but these are all fairly easy to navigate on .......

Castle Rock - sticks pass Helvellyn up and down the edges and return the same way - easy nav up turn right, along for bit turn left at first edge, down to tarn turn right up striding edge, turn right at the top, along for a bit turn left at sticks pass and go down, paths are all good.

Loughrigg terraces and over to Elterwater BIG paths

Fairfield Horseshoe (just don't go down to Dovedale!)

Kentmere Horseshoe

Skiddaw - straight up and down the huge bridleway

Blencathra - up and down from Mosedale - again BIG path (and a pub at the start finish)

Hartsop - High Street - The Beacon and return follow the road then bridleway

the list goes on!

In reply to liquid:

Fab thank you - loads there to keep me busy! Distance-wise around 6 miles minimum (doesn't seem much point otherwise!) up to 20ish is good.

In reply to Maud:

Also, what shoes will you being running in? There's a real mix of terrain, hard paths (Skiddaw being a great start) that would suit trail shoes, but also lots of softer grassy descents that are fabulous in fell shoes, but a bit hairy in anything with less grip, particularly if damp!

In reply to Maud:


In reply to Maud:

Based on my very limited experience this summer, you could also do roughly the Bob Graham round leg 2, from Threlkeld to Dunmail, via Clough Head, whichever Dodds you want to do, Helvellyn and on to Dollywaggon, Grisedale Tarn and Seat Sandal. Fairfield along the way would be an optional additional slog. From Dunmail, catch the bus back to Keswick, then either another bus on to Threlkeld,or run the 4 miles there along the railway tracks trail.

The Dodds bit would be hard to navigate in poor visibility, but is good going when you can see ahead.

In reply to Maud:

Kentmere is a lovely run, 12 or so miles, the ascents arn't too bad and there is a route map avaiable from various shops. The navigation requires a little care though if the weather is poor, not difficult, but you need to get it right. 20 years ago, when the race was run in February one of the very few fell race fatalities took place, when a woman got lost and died of exposure.

If you're after fell territory, Fairfield horseshoe? Blencathra up from Scales up Scales Fell, down Hall's Fell? Borrowdale Bash MTB route should be online somewhere and could be truncated.

In reply to Maud:

Thanks for all the replies - looking forward to getting out there. Shoes-wise I have a good selection so will get the Walshes out if I need to

In reply to Maud:
Lots of ideas in Great mountain days in the Lake District http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/516/title/great-mountain-...
Lovely book to look at too, with Harveys maps and some lovely photos.

Or you could enter the Rab mm

Have fun

In reply to Maud: Have a look at the UKH Route Cards, we've loads of suitable routes in the Lakes that are just as run-able as they are walk-able: http://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/find.php

A few specific suggestions for not-so-long routes:

Cat Bells http://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=683
Back way up Skiddaw (it's not such an eroded motorway as the normal drag) http://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=486
Place Fell http://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=158
Bowfell & Crinkle Crags http://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=86

How hard/hilly/long do you want it?

In reply to Dan Bailey - UKHillwalking.com:

Even better: Go over Beda rather than Place Fell. And starting and finishing in Patterdale is an obviously more accessible way of doing it.