Ultra Tour Yorkshire Dales 100k

The route

This is a 97.9km ultra, the route of the Ultra Tour Yorkshire Dales, looping out from Grassington through the southern Dales and back. From Threshfield the line climbs to Weets Top above Malham and the shore of Malham Tarn, crosses the moor to Arncliffe in Littondale, then heads up Wharfedale through Litton, Buckden, Starbotton and Kettlewell, taking in the summit of Buckden Pike at 702m. The return sweeps through Burnsall, Trollers Gill, Simon's Seat and Barden Moor to Cracoe before dropping back to Grassington. It is a genuine tour, stringing together the finest ground in the region.

The high points

The route is a greatest-hits of the southern Dales: Malham Tarn, one of the highest lakes in England; the hidden gorge of Trollers Gill; the gritstone tors of Simon's Seat above Wharfedale; and the airy summit of Buckden Pike. Between the high ground lie the classic villages of the dale, strung along the Wharfe like beads. It covers limestone, gritstone and open moor, valley and summit, in one continuous line, which is exactly the point of it.

Why it works

This is a route for experienced ultra runners and no one else. It is self-navigated with no waymarking, so map reading, hill experience and full kit are essential, alongside the fitness for nearly 100km and a big total climb. The ground ranges from runnable trail to boggy moor and steep, sustained hill climbs, and the weather on the tops can be severe. Grassington is the hub, with everything you need. Complete it and you will have run the finest single loop the southern Dales can offer.