Ultra Tour of Staveley
This is a commitment. Five distinct fell ridges, two remote valleys, and enough climbing to earn a very large meal. Plan your food, check the forecast, and don't set off late.
Effort: Ultra distance and major ascent
Underfoot: Technical, navigation required
E5·T4 — how we grade routes
Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
A 62km ultra circuit from Staveley taking in the full Kentmere Horseshoe, Longsleddale, and the high fells above Ullswater. Over 2800m of climbing — a full day in serious Lake District terrain.
This is a commitment. Five distinct fell ridges, two remote valleys, and enough climbing to earn a very large meal. Plan your food, check the forecast, and don't set off late.
##The route
From Staveley, the Ultra Tour links the Kentmere Horseshoe, Longsleddale, and the high fells in a single sustained circuit through some of the most remote terrain in the Lake District.
##This is serious
At 62km with nearly 3000m of climbing, this is a proper mountain ultra. You will be on open fell for long periods with limited bail-out options. Navigation skills are essential.
Remote and exposed for long sections. Navigation complex on multiple ridge transitions in poor visibility. Very limited bail-out options between Kentmere and Longsleddale. Weather can change rapidly. Not recommended solo without extensive fell navigation experience.
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.
Common questions
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