The Fellsman

The course

What you’re in for

Sixty-one miles across the Dales from Ingleton to Threshfield with 3,353m of climb — the organiser says more than 11,000 feet — over Ingleborough, Whernside, Gragareth and Great Coum, down to Dent and up again over Blea Moor and Great Knoutberry to Redshaw, then Dodd Fell, Fleet Moss, Buckden Pike and Great Whernside before the drop to Wharfedale. Twenty-five hilltop and roadside checkpoints, all staffed by Keighley Scouts, with hot food at the big ones; a night on the moors for almost everyone, grouped for safety after dark; and navigation throughout — GPX on a watch is allowed now, but map and compass are compulsory and you have to be able to use them. The last weekend in April, the sixty-third running, and not to be undertaken lightly, in the organiser's own words.

Terrain and trail

Peat. Limestone on Ingleborough and Whernside, then the grough-cut bog of the Dales watershed — Blea Moor, Fleet Moss, the Buckden Pike crossing — with tussock, flagstone where it exists and open moor where it does not, and long rough descents. Wet, exposed, cold at night in April. A fell shoe with grip.

Train for it: routes near the start

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

HARD

Ingleborough and Little Ingleborough from Ingleton

14.8km · 645m climb · Loop · Same start

The quieter western approach to Ingleborough, building over Little Ingleborough to the iconic plateau summit at 724m before the long descent back to Ingleton.

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Ingleborough from Chapel-le-Dale

15.6km · 611m climb · Loop · 5.7km away

Vast plateau views on a clear day stretch from the Lake District to the Pennines, with the descent through classic limestone karst.

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Clapham and the Ingleborough Estate

16.9km · 259m climb · Loop · 6.4km away

You get the full Ingleborough approach, the show cave, the dark cleft of Trow Gill and the perched boulders at Norber, without committing to the summit itself.

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Sulber Gate from Clapham

16.9km · 314m climb · Loop · 6.4km away

You get a taste of the Three Peaks landscape - limestone pavement, wide moorland views, Ingleborough looming ahead - without committing to the full challenge or its usual crowds.

VERY HARD

Whernside and Ingleborough from Ribblehead

23.8km · 1,000m climb · Loop · 9.2km away

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.

HARD

Whernside from Ribblehead

13.1km · 457m climb · Loop · 9.3km away

The most efficient way to bag the highest of the Three Peaks, a compact loop with a superb ridge and the Ribblehead Viaduct bookending the run.

All routes near Horton-in-Ribblesdale →All Yorkshire Dales routes →

How to enter

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Common questions

How far is the Fellsman?

The Fellsman is one distance: 61 Mile (98.2 km).

How much climbing is in the Fellsman?

The 61 Mile has 3,353 m of ascent.

How hard is the Fellsman?

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 Fellsman yet.

Is the Fellsman course marked?

No. The Fellsman is not a marked course. You are expected to navigate it yourself.

What kit do I need for the Fellsman?

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

What are the cut-offs for the Fellsman?

Twenty-five hilltop and roadside checkpoints, live tracking and cut-offs around the route. A map and compass must be carried even by those navigating from a GPX, and the organiser expects the knowledge to use them.

What is at the checkpoints on the Fellsman?

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

Can I download the Fellsman route?

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

When is the next Fellsman?

Sat, 24 Apr 2027. Not open yet.