Reston Scar and Brunt Knott
Underrated terrain in a part of the Lakes most runners skip over. Reston Scar gives you proper fell on a short day, without the crowds of the central fells.
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Mostly runnable, with some steep sections you'll likely walk.
A quieter Lake District circular from Staveley combining the wooded scar of Reston, open fell on Brunt Knott, and a return through the Kentmere valley. Less visited than the big horseshoes but with character in every mile.
Underrated terrain in a part of the Lakes most runners skip over. Reston Scar gives you proper fell on a short day, without the crowds of the central fells.
The route
From Staveley, the route climbs through woodland onto the rocky ground of Reston Scar before gaining open fell on Brunt Knott (427m). The return follows the Kentmere Valley floor back to Staveley along the River Kent.
Why it works
This is a route for days when you want genuine fell terrain without the full horseshoe commitment. The combination of wooded scar and open fell makes for varied running, and the Hawkshead Brewery tap is waiting at the end.
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Make your route print →Pathless sections on higher fell. Steep ground on Reston Scar — care needed in wet or icy conditions. Navigation complex in poor visibility.
Summits on this route
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
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Common questions
- Most runners complete Reston Scar and Brunt Knott in 1 hour 55 minutes to 2 hours 35 minutes, depending on pace and conditions.
Run by us· last checked June 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
About the author
Runner reports
Nobody's logged a run here yet. If you get out on it, a few lines about how it went helps the next person plan their day.
Routes nearby
Start from a town: Windermere 5.6 km · Ambleside 11.1 km
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EXPERTRaces on this ground
All Lake District races →Races starting within 20 km of the Reston Scar and Brunt Knott start, nearest first. If you are entered for one, this route is the rehearsal.
1
May
2027
Staveley Trails
Staveley, Cumbria · Lakeland Trails · 0 miles away
Kentmere from Staveley Recreation Ground, with a 5K for everyone else.
HARD
Not open yet
5
Jun
2027
Lake District Challenge
Kendal Basecamp, Cumbria · Ultra Challenge · 4 miles away
A hundred kilometres around the southern Lake District from Kendal, or fifty or twenty-five.
Entries open
21
Nov
2026
The Kendal Mountain Trail Runs
Kendal, Cumbria · Maverick Race · 5 miles away
Kendal Mountain Festival — 50km, 25km and a 10km that is really 11.8.
Entries open
31
Jan
2027
That's Lyth
Abbot Hall Social Centre, Kendal · LDWA Lakeland · 5 miles away
Twenty-three and a half miles from Kendal over Cunswick Fell, Whitbarrow Scar and Scout Scar, nine hours, three checkpoints and a cut-off at the third.
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£15–£22.5
10
Jul
2027
Lakeland Trails Ultra
Ambleside, Cumbria · Lakeland Trails · 7 miles away
A hundred kilometres from a minute past midnight, or fourteen in the morning.
HARD TO EXPERT
Entries open
10
Apr
2027
Hawkshead Trails
Hawkshead, Cumbria · Lakeland Trails · 7 miles away
Out of Hawkshead into the Grizedale woods.
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Not open yet