13 Valleys Ultra

The course

What you’re in for

A full circuit of the Lake District from Keswick, out and back through every valley in the national park — thirteen of them — over 185km with 7,000m of climb, from a Friday evening start with 46 and a half hours to do it. Twelve checkpoints. Not waymarked: this is a navigated mountain ultra with two nights out for most of the field.

Terrain and trail

Fell path, pass and valley bottom, repeated thirteen times: stone-pitched climbs to the cols, boggy tops, rocky descents and long valley tracks between. Full mountain kit, a map you can read at three in the morning, and a tracker. The weather at the end of September can be anything.

Train for it: routes near the start

Routes starting within 20 km of Keswick, Cumbria, nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.

EXPERT

Bob Graham Round Leg 1: Skiddaw and Blencathra

20.8km · 1,576m climb · Point to point · 0.1km away

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.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Catbells from Keswick

16.8km · 431m climb · Loop · 0.1km away

You earn the Catbells summit the long way, with kilometres of lakeside running each side of the climb and no car needed from Keswick.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Espresso Round

22.6km · 1,055m climb · Loop · 0.2km away

All four summits are visible from George Fisher's cafe window, so you can plan the whole thing over a coffee before you go and pick out exactly what you're about to climb.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Walla Crag, Castle Crag and Derwentwater from Keswick

26.2km · 719m climb · Loop · 0.2km away

Two contrasting little Wainwrights on one long lap, the airy edge of Walla Crag above Derwentwater and the steep slate cone of Castle Crag deep in Borrowdale.

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Derwentwater Round from Keswick

14.6km · 21m climb · Loop · 0.2km away

A complete lap of one of Lakeland's most beautiful lakes on good paths, with the fells reflected in the water and barely a climb in sight.

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Latrigg from Keswick

8.3km · 288m climb · Out & back · 0.2km away

The classic Keswick viewpoint reached on a quick loop, with the whole sweep of Derwentwater and the Borrowdale fells laid out from a friendly grassy summit.

Checked Jul 2026

All routes near Keswick →All Lake District routes →

How to enter

Partner · affiliate policy

Common questions

How far is the 13 Valleys Ultra?

The 13 Valleys Ultra is one distance: 13 Valleys (185.7 km / 115.4 miles).

How much climbing is in the 13 Valleys Ultra?

The 13 Valleys has 7,000 m of ascent.

How hard is the 13 Valleys Ultra?

Not graded yet. A TRP grade is worked out from distance and climb measured off the course file, and there isn't one for the 13 Valleys Ultra yet.

Is the 13 Valleys Ultra course marked?

No. The 13 Valleys Ultra is not a marked course. You are expected to navigate it yourself.

What kit do I need for the 13 Valleys Ultra?

We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the 13 Valleys Ultra. 13 Valleys Ultra confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.

What are the cut-offs for the 13 Valleys Ultra?

Overall time limits — 13 Valleys: 46h 30m.

What is at the checkpoints on the 13 Valleys Ultra?

We don't hold a checkpoint list for the 13 Valleys Ultra. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the 13 Valleys Ultra race information rather than turning up expecting food.

Can I download the 13 Valleys Ultra route?

Not yet — we don't hold a course file for the 13 Valleys Ultra. Some organisers only send the GPX to entrants. If we get one, it goes up free, with no sign-up.

When is the next 13 Valleys Ultra?

No date announced. When 13 Valleys Ultra confirm the next 13 Valleys Ultra, it appears here and on the race calendar.

Past runnings