Lakeland Trails Ullswater Trails

Pick your distance

What you’re in for

A boat start: the Ullswater Steamer takes you from Glenridding down to Howtown and you run back along the eastern shore. A 10k run and a 14k as challenge or race. The 14k climbs to Silver Crag and Boredale Hause before dropping into Patterdale. Scenic trail with short tarmac sections, and rocky rooty ground that gets slippery. Gates to close on the way. Well marked and marshalled.

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Train for it: routes near the start

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

VERY HARD

Helvellyn Range and St Sunday Crag from Glenridding

20.6km · 1,300m climb · Loop · 0.3km away

Seven summits of the Eastern Fells in one continuous high-level horseshoe, finishing over St Sunday Crag with Ullswater filling the view ahead.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge from Patterdale

12.7km · 824m climb · Loop · 0.3km away

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.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Helvellyn via Swirral Edge and Striding Edge from Thirlmere

11.3km · 998m climb · Loop · 7.1km away

You get the two most famous ridges on the fell, Swirral and Striding Edge, on a route that still starts and finishes on the quiet Thirlmere side.

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Helvellyn from Thirlmere

10.7km · 812m climb · Loop · 7.1km away

You gain the summit of a 950m Wainwright in well under an hour of climbing, then drop back to the car on grass you can really open up on.

Checked Jul 2026

EXPERT

Bob Graham Round Leg 3: Dunmail Raise to Wasdale Head

25.5km · 1,906m climb · Point to point · 7.9km away

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.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Helm Crag, Calf Crag and Steel fell from Grasmere

13.4km · 639m climb · Loop · 11km away

Helm Crag gives you the Lion and the Lamb, the most recognisable summit rocks in the Lakes, and the ridge beyond turns a short outing into a proper little horseshoe above Grasmere.

Checked Jul 2026

All routes near Ambleside →All Lake District routes →

How to enter

Common questions

How far is the Ullswater Trails?

The Ullswater Trails offers 2 distances: 10K Trail Run (6.2 miles), 14K Trail Challenge (8.7 miles).

How much climbing is in the Ullswater Trails?

The 10K Trail Run has 230 m of ascent. The 14K Trail Challenge has 384 m of ascent.

How hard is the Ullswater Trails?

10K Trail Run: Hard. 14K Trail Challenge: Hard. TRP grades come from distance and climb measured off the course file, not from the organiser.

Is the Ullswater Trails course marked?

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

What kit do I need for the Ullswater Trails?

We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the Ullswater Trails. Lakeland Trails confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.

What are the cut-offs for the Ullswater Trails?

Overall time limits — 10K Trail Run: 2h 30m, 14K Trail Challenge: 3h 30m.

What is at the checkpoints on the Ullswater Trails?

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

Can I download the Ullswater Trails route?

Yes. The GPX for each distance is free to download here, with no sign-up, the same as every route on Trail Running Planet.

When is the next Ullswater Trails?

Sun, 1 Nov 2026, 09:00. Entries open.