Staveley and Kentmere Valley
Low-key Lake District running at its best. No crowds, good tracks, and the Hawkshead Brewery tap at the end. The Lakes without fighting for parking at Wasdale.
Effort: Good distance, solid climb
Underfoot: Some uneven or off-path ground
E3·T2 — how we grade routesNo photos of this route yet. Sign in to add one
Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
A valley circuit from Staveley through the Kentmere Valley — one of the Lake District's quieter corners. Combines riverside paths, open hillside, and easy navigation with views to the surrounding horseshoe ridges.
Low-key Lake District running at its best. No crowds, good tracks, and the Hawkshead Brewery tap at the end. The Lakes without fighting for parking at Wasdale.
The route
From Staveley, the route heads north up the Kentmere Valley following the River Kent. The return takes a different line over low fell ground east of the valley, giving views back down to the reservoir and the horseshoe ridges above.
Staveley as a base
Staveley is a proper trail running village. Hawkshead Brewery is based here, the train stops here, and routes into Kentmere start from the door. An underused hub for Lake District running.
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Some navigation on open hillside sections. River crossing points can be high after heavy rain.
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.
Common questions
- Most runners complete Staveley and Kentmere Valley in 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 5 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
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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 5.7 km · Ambleside 11.2 km
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EXPERTRaces on this ground
All Lake District races →Races starting within 20 km of the Staveley and Kentmere Valley 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.
Not open yet
£15–£22.5