How far is the Way of the Dead?

The Way of the Dead is one distance: 50K (31.1 miles).

Is the Way of the Dead course marked?

No. The Way of the Dead is not a marked course. You are expected to navigate it yourself.

What are the cut-offs for the Way of the Dead?

Overall time limits — 50K: 10h.

When is the next Way of the Dead?

Sat, 20 Mar 2027, 08:00. Not open yet.

Wild Running Way of the Dead

Trenchford Reservoir car park (bus from Tavistock); HQ at The Printworks, TavistockSat, 20 Mar 2027

50k self-navigated east-to-west Dartmoor crossing ending in Tavistock

50K

31 miles

1,327 m ascent

27 m per km

10h cut-off

12:00/km to make it

moorNavigation required

Nobody has reviewed this one yet

No reviews of the Way of the Dead, and nothing on what people wore. Both are things no organiser publishes and every runner wants before they enter — how it actually went, and what was on your feet.

Ran it? Write the first review

Running it soon? Connect Strava and we will ask you about it the day you finish, so you do not have to remember to come back.

The course

10h cut-off, which needs 12:00/km

What you’re in for

The Way of the Dead is a 50k east-to-west crossing of Dartmoor, solo or in pairs. It starts at Trenchford Reservoir and runs via Lustleigh Cleave, Bowerman's Nose, Hameldown, Grimspound, Postbridge and Powdermills. From there it follows the old Lych Way corpse road past Longaford Tor and Lydford Tor, then goes through Peter Tavy into Tavistock. It climbs 1,327m. The second half is largely unsigned, so you need some navigation experience. The organiser provides GPX files and tracks everyone by GPS, and all checkpoints must be visited. The race starts at 8am with a 10-hour cut-off, and a 6am bus runs from Tavistock to the start. A map or GPS device is mandatory.

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How to enter

Sat, 20 Mar 2027 · Not open yet · £55

See the event on their website ↗

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Common questions

: The Way of the Dead is one distance: 50K (31.1 miles).
: The 50K has 1,327 m of ascent.
: 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 Way of the Dead yet.
: No. The Way of the Dead is not a marked course. You are expected to navigate it yourself.
: We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the Way of the Dead. Wild Running confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.
: Overall time limits — 50K: 10h.
: We don't hold a checkpoint list for the Way of the Dead. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the Wild Running race information rather than turning up expecting food.
: Not yet — we don't hold a course file for the Way of the Dead. Some organisers only send the GPX to entrants. If we get one, it goes up free, with no sign-up.
: Sat, 20 Mar 2027, 08:00. Not open yet.