13 Valleys Ultra 5 Valleys Ultra

The course

What you’re in for

Waterhead to Keswick over five valleys, 58km with 2,303m of climb, waymarked the whole way — the entry-level day of the 13 Valleys weekend, with three checkpoints and nineteen hours. A big Lakeland day without the navigation.

Terrain and trail

Valley path, pass and fell-side track: steep climbs out of each valley, rough descents into the next. Waymarked, but carry the kit list and a map anyway — the fells do not care that the course is marked. A trail shoe with grip.

Train for it: routes near the start

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

HARD

Lakeland Trails Ambleside 14k

13.8km · 505m climb · Loop · 1.0km away

You get the full Lakeland Trails Ambleside route: a climb through ancient Skelghyll Woods to the Jenkin Crag view over Windermere, then a fell finish over Loughrigg with the Langdale Pikes ahead.

VERY HARD

Scandale Horseshoe from Ambleside

20.6km · 1,106m climb · Loop · 1.1km away

Scandale is the quiet valley next door to the crowded Fairfield Horseshoe, so you get the same big eastern-fell views and ridgelines with a fraction of the traffic.

VERY HARD

Wansfell Pike, Sour Howes and Sallows from Ambleside

19.6km · 1,008m climb · Loop · 1.2km away

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.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Ambleside Low Level Loop

19.6km · 562m climb · Loop · 1.3km away

Rydal Water, Grasmere, woodland paths, and those views - all without setting foot on a major fell. This is what the Lakes are for on an easy-legs day.

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Vale of Rydal

19.0km · 317m climb · Loop · 1.3km away

You get the full Wordsworth vale, Rydal Water, Grasmere and the paths the poet knew by heart, on a longer low loop that keeps the running easy and the scenery constant.

EXPERT

Helvellyn Double

36.7km · 2,856m climb · Loop · 2.2km away

It takes two of the Lake District's best-known summits and links them properly, so instead of picking Fairfield or Helvellyn for the day, you get both, with the climbing to prove it.

Checked Jul 2026

All routes near Ambleside →All Lake District routes →

How to enter

Partner · affiliate policy

Common questions

How far is the 5 Valleys Ultra?

The 5 Valleys Ultra is one distance: 5 Valleys (58.1 km / 36.1 miles).

How much climbing is in the 5 Valleys Ultra?

The 5 Valleys has 2,303 m of ascent.

How hard is the 5 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 5 Valleys Ultra yet.

Is the 5 Valleys Ultra course marked?

Yes, the course is marked. Navigation skills are not required.

What kit do I need for the 5 Valleys Ultra?

We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the 5 Valleys Ultra. 13 Valleys Ultra confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.

What are the cut-offs for the 5 Valleys Ultra?

Overall time limits — 5 Valleys: 19h.

What is at the checkpoints on the 5 Valleys Ultra?

We don't hold a checkpoint list for the 5 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 5 Valleys Ultra route?

Not yet — we don't hold a course file for the 5 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 5 Valleys Ultra?

No date announced. When 13 Valleys Ultra confirm the next 5 Valleys Ultra, it appears here and on the race calendar.

Past runnings