Great Owl Running North Leeds Skyline

Pick your distance

What you’re in for

Trail races from Station Top in Otley over the Chevin and the high ground north of Leeds. The 50km ultra (about 51km, 1000m of climb) goes out by Bank Top Farm to Shadwell and Thorner and back the same way; the 25km (650m) and 15km (16km, 500m) take shorter loops back via the Chevin. There is also a four-person 50km relay. The route is marked with pink signs and tape, but it is not marshalled and runners are responsible for their own navigation, so a GPX on a watch or phone and the supplied map are mandatory. Checkpoints have water, with snacks at Bank Top Farm and Shadwell. The 15km welcomes walkers and needs no experience.

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Train for it: routes near the start

Routes starting within 20 km of Station Top, East Chevin Road, Otley (opposite Wharfedale Farmers Market), nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.

MODERATE

Washburn Valley from Leathley

10.2km · 167m climb · Loop · 3.1km away

You get a quiet string of reservoirs and river woodland a stone's throw from Otley, with none of the crowds of the honeypot dales. It is the sort of route locals keep to themselves.

VERY HARD

The Ilkley Skyline

35.1km · 808m climb · Loop · 5.4km away

Eleven kilometres of unbroken moor crest, then you cross the valley and run the skyline back the other way with your entire morning laid out in front of you. It is the biggest day available from an Ilkley train station.

MODERATE

The Twelve Apostles and Rombalds Moor Trig from the Cow and Calf

7.7km · 248m climb · Loop · 7.8km away

You touch the highest point of the moor and a Bronze Age stone circle inside eight kilometres, on paths good enough to run nearly all of. It is the best hour available on Ilkley Moor.

HARD

Burley Moor Stone Circles from the Cow and Calf

11.6km · 320m climb · Loop · 7.8km away

Four thousand years of prehistory in one loop. Rombalds Moor carries over 400 cup-and-ring marked stones, and this route strings the best of them together before dropping you onto two kilometres of Burley Moor that almost nobody runs.

EASY

Fewston Reservoir Loop

5.2km · 21m climb · Loop · 9.0km away

A short and beautiful run around this picturesque reservoir in the Washburn Valley

Checked Jun 2026

MODERATE

Ilkley Moor from the Cow and Calf

9.5km · 287m climb · Loop · 9.3km away

You run straight up onto the moor of the famous song, past the Cow and Calf crags and out to the Twelve Apostles stone circle, with cup-and-ring carvings scattered underfoot.

Checked Jul 2026

All routes near Ilkley →All Airedale routes →

How to enter

Common questions

How far is the North Leeds Skyline?

The North Leeds Skyline offers 3 distances: 50km Ultra Trail (31.1 miles), 25km Super Trail (15.5 miles), 15km Trail (9.3 miles).

How much climbing is in the North Leeds Skyline?

The 50km Ultra Trail has 1,000 m of ascent. The 25km Super Trail has 650 m of ascent. The 15km Trail has 500 m of ascent.

How hard is the North Leeds Skyline?

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 North Leeds Skyline yet.

Is the North Leeds Skyline course marked?

Partly. There is course marking, but the organiser expects you to navigate — carry a map and have the GPX on a watch or phone.

What kit do I need for the North Leeds Skyline?

We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the North Leeds Skyline. Great Owl Running confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.

What are the cut-offs for the North Leeds Skyline?

Overall time limits — 50km Ultra Trail: 9h, 25km Super Trail: 6h, 15km Trail: 6h.

What is at the checkpoints on the North Leeds Skyline?

We don't hold a checkpoint list for the North Leeds Skyline. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the Great Owl Running race information rather than turning up expecting food.

Can I download the North Leeds Skyline route?

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

When is the next North Leeds Skyline?

Sat, 5 Jun 2027, 09:00. Not open yet.