Hardest trail runs in the UK

These routes don't pull their punches. Expert and Very Hard graded, with serious ascent, technical terrain, or remote mountain conditions. Check the safety guides before you go.

24routes
VERY HARD
Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge from Patterdale
0.0km · 0m climb · Loop
This is the postcard round of Helvellyn: up the knife-edge of Striding Edge, across the 950m summit, and down Swirral with Red Tarn below the whole way.
VERY HARD
Helvellyn, Fairfield and Striding Edge from Thirlmere
0.0km · 0m climb · Loop
It strings the two great Eastern Fells giants, Helvellyn and Fairfield, onto one loop and still finds room for Striding Edge in the middle.
EXPERT
Abraham's Tea Round
50.0km · 3,389m climb · Loop
You earn a free cup of tea at Abraham's Cafe by touching every summit you can see from its top-floor window: a proper Keswick fell-running rite of passage.
Ultra Tour of StaveleyEXPERT
Ultra Tour of Staveley
61.6km · 2,866m climb · Loop
This is a commitment. Five distinct fell ridges, two remote valleys, and enough climbing to earn a very large meal. Plan your food, check the forecast, and don't set off late.
Checked Jun 2026
EXPERT
Bob Graham Round Leg 3: Dunmail Raise to Wasdale Head
25.5km · 1,906m climb · Point to point
This is the heart and the crux of the Bob Graham: the Langdale Pikes, the highest ground in England over the Scafells, and the notorious Broad Stand step onto Scafell.
EXPERT
Bob Graham Round Leg 4: Wasdale Head to Honister Pass
17.7km · 1,790m climb · Point to point
The savage climb straight out of Wasdale onto Yewbarrow sets the tone: this is the steepest, most concentrated leg of the round, over Pillar and Great Gable.
Kettlewell UltraEXPERT
Kettlewell Ultra
43.7km · 1,707m climb · Loop
Proper Dales miles — limestone scars, wide skies, and the kind of distance that sorts out who's eaten their breakfast. This is a full day out.
Checked Jun 2026
EXPERT
Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent from Malham
50.0km · 1,701m climb · Loop
A full 50km day that strings together the cove, the tarn and two major summits, a serious long-distance challenge through the heart of the Dales.
EXPERT
Bob Graham Round Leg 2: Threlkeld to Dunmail Raise
22.3km · 1,690m climb · Point to point
It is the great runnable middle of the Bob Graham: a near-continuous high ridge where you can hold a rhythm over twelve tops without ever dropping to the valley.
EXPERT
Bob Graham Round Leg 1: Skiddaw and Blencathra
20.8km · 1,576m climb · Point to point
You get the start of the most famous round in British fell running, crossing Skiddaw at 931 m and the lonely top of Great Calva before the high traverse to Blencathra and the steep drop off Hall's Fell.
Yorkshire Three Peaks Extended EXPERT
Yorkshire Three Peaks Extended
43.2km · 1,531m climb · Loop
A big day out on the most recognisable skyline in the Dales — three distinct summits, 1500m of climbing, and a finish that earns its beer.
Checked Jun 2026
Yorkshire Three Peaks CircuitEXPERT
Yorkshire Three Peaks Circuit
41.5km · 1,505m climb · Loop
Three summits, 1600m of ascent, and a finish back in Horton means that you have definitely earned a drink.
Checked Jun 2026
VERY HARD
Skiddaw and Blencathra via Lonscale Fell
23.2km · 1,412m climb · Loop
Four Northern Fell Wainwrights in one continuous round, including the roof of the region on Skiddaw and the dramatic edges of Blencathra.
VERY HARD
The Grand Edale Circular
28.7km · 1,344m climb · Loop
The full Peak District experience — deep peat bog, gritstone edges, and those big Kinder views. Earn the ridge on the way back in.
VERY HARD
Helvellyn Range and St Sunday Crag from Glenridding
20.6km · 1,300m climb · Loop
Seven summits of the Eastern Fells in one continuous high-level horseshoe, finishing over St Sunday Crag with Ullswater filling the view ahead.
EXPERT
Skipton 6 Peaks
42.0km · 1,251m climb · Loop
Six distinct summits in one big day, a proper local challenge that strings together the gritstone crags and moors ringing Skipton.
VERY HARD
Robinson, Dale Head, High Spy and Catbells from Lingholm
20.9km · 1,175m climb · Loop
Five Wainwrights in one flowing 20.9km round, finishing along the famous Catbells ridge with Derwentwater spread out below and a celebrated cafe at the start and finish.
Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' ChroinVERY HARD
Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin
15.1km · 1,145m climb · Loop
Two summits, a proper scramble, and loch views to the south. The crux between the two peaks is short but hands-on — check conditions before you commit.
Checked Jun 2026
VERY HARD
Wharfedale Three Peaks
26.8km · 1,111m climb · Loop
Three big Wharfedale summits with none of the crowds or paved paths, just rough moorland, bog and proper navigation across the roof of the dale.
Coledale HorseshoeVERY HARD
Coledale Horseshoe
13.6km · 1,109m climb · Loop
Seven Wainwrights, 1100m of climbing, and a long ridge with exposure on both sides. This is proper fell running territory — you need to move well on open ground.
Checked Jun 2026
VERY HARD
Great Shunner Fell from Thwaite
22.4km · 1,098m climb · Loop
A long ridge walk on the Pennine Way with nothing but open fell, curlews, and a sky that seems twice the size of everywhere else.
VERY HARD
Catbells, Maiden Moor, Dale Head and Hindscarth from Lingholm
19.6km · 1,022m climb · Loop
Five Wainwright summits in one continuous Newlands ridge, from gentle Catbells along the airy skyline to the high point on Dale Head, with the valley falling away on both sides.
VERY HARD
Wansfell Pike, Sour Howes and Sallows from Ambleside
19.6km · 1,008m climb · Loop
Three Wainwrights for the price of one popular summit, swapping the crowds of Wansfell Pike for the empty grassy tops of Sour Howes and Sallows.
VERY HARD
Whernside and Ingleborough from Ribblehead
23.8km · 1,000m climb · Loop
Two of the Three Peaks in one shapely loop, beginning and ending at the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct with a railway cafe waiting at the finish.

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