The Lakeland Way Ultra is a serious test of endurance for any athlete. Developed from the walking route, this 125-mile running version of the Lakeland Way is not only intended for the fittest and fastest, but also for those slower runners wishing to take on the challenge as a multi-day run holiday. Following old packhorse routes once used by early traders, this epic trail takes you through some of the finest of Lake District scenery as it weaves its way through picturesque valleys and over dramatic mountain passes. Either supported or unsupported, in one go or over multiple days, completing the Lakeland Way Ultra will be an extraordinary personal achievement, and will be an unforgettable experience for any trail runner.
Guidance
Start: Ravenglass Market Cross
Grid Ref: SD08409629 ///armrests.certainly.grounding
Finish: Ravenglass Station turntable
Grid Ref: SD08589646 ///throat.winners.entertainer
There is no need for witnesses on this challenge but please follow the route as closely as possible; providing a GPX file of your run and a brief report is sufficient evidence to add your details to the running report list.
The winter period for this challenge is from 1st December to 28th/29th February, and the summer period from 1st March to 30th November.
Please do not attempt to cross the estuary via the railway bridge, it is closed to the public.
Please respect the people that live and work in the valleys and the small communities, by keeping support teams to a minimum to help reduce footfall and erosion.
Do not underestimate this challenge. The majority of the route is over very rough terrain, so please take care.
Whilst we are happy to provide the information, you are fully responsible for your own health and safety. If you have any questions regarding the route, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
GPX File
Please note that the GPX file provided is a route ‘plotted’ using the Ordnance Survey mapping software, and is not an actual ‘recorded track’ from a device. This means that the mileage on the file, a little over 120 miles, is somewhat lower than the actual mileage on foot, which in reality is around 125 miles.
The “Full GPX” route contains a lot of waymarkers, so some apps may struggle to import/upload the file. If this is the case then try importing the file to the desktop version of your mapping software. If you still have a problem then please contact us and a smaller file can be provided.
GPX route: Download
Crossing the River Esk
Grid Ref: SD08769450 ///duplicity.material.validated
A mile or so from Ravenglass, a low-tide window is required to be able to cross the River Esk at the Eskmeals Viaduct. This running version of the Lakeland Way has been developed from the walking version, however, it is in reverse (anti-clockwise) of the latter so that the river crossing is at the beginning of your challenge. This will help with logistics and generating fast times. The length of this window is subjective, and can be 1 hour (comfortable) or 2 hours (doable) each side of low tide; both being very safe, and in my own experience the water level didn’t reach above my knees at 1.5 hours before low tide.
Tide times are generally available for the next 7 days for around 500 port locations around the UK, and can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy. However, due to storm surges and other factors, predicting tide times a long way into the future could be less accurate.
Websites that provide weekly or monthly tide charts:
www.tideschart.com/Ravenglass
www.tidetablechart.com/Ravenglass
To plan your challenge way ahead, QuickTide provides a two-year tide chart:
www.quicktide.co.uk
From the north bank the water is at its deepest, just below the knee, and the first part of the river bed is a combination of sand and shale. This can be a little uncomfortable on the soles of the feet, so some form of footwear is beneficial for this crossing. From the centre the bed turns to soft sand and the water is shallow. Beyond that, as you approach the south bank, the sand turns to mud and is very slippery. Fortunately, however, you only sink in about an inch or so. Having a support vehicle at the south bank is highly recommended.
The Bog of Birkby Moor
Grid Ref: SD12699577 ///fluffed.bootleg.invisable
Just five miles from Ravenglass, an enclosed marshy depression on Birkby Moor defends the approach to the Lakeland Fells. To continue you must survive the Bog of Birkby Moor, and a marsh pool located in the centre of the walled quagmire.
Where the trackway enters the wettest area of the marsh, quad bikes and cattle have churned up the peat below to create a ‘marsh pool’, and a trap for any unsuspecting runners that venture this way. To avoid the trap run across three or four metres over on the right, and take advantage of the tall tussocks that provide a safe passage. Over on the left the marsh is mostly made up of a raft of moss and very few tussocks, so it’s far wetter and much more difficult to negotiate.
Suitable Support Locations
Below is a list of parking areas along the route to support your runner. Please note, depending on the time of the day these car parks or laybys can get really busy.
Eskmeals Viaduct – SD08729423 ///frowns.publisher.lifted
Birker Fell – SD17099770 ///organisms.roosters.dymamics
Jubilee Bridge – NY21350111 ///silks.cascade.surpassed
Hardknott Pass – NY22900145 ///applauded.sofas.succeed
High Tongue – SD23079747 ///opposite.belts.responses
Tilberthwaite – NY30640098 ///tailors.dizziness.rural
Chapel Stile – NY32170535 ///mailings.bypassed.upholds
Grasmere – NY33960723 ///users.slung.obscuring
Ambleside – NY37750383 ///highly.effort.again
Hartsop – NY41011299 ///disarmed.thudding.eclipses
Park Brow – NY39742050 ///handyman.retiring.plenty
Old Coach Road – NY37992190 ///parked.conveys.toasters
Wanthwaite – NY31272307 ///drivers.star.stag
Nest Brow – NY28762274 ///hunk.emporium.bonfires
Great Wood – NY27192148 ///forever.spud.apply
Lakeside – NY26502289 ///oppose.slave.hobbyists
Stormwater Bridge – NY25462391 ///resurgent.portable.stylist
Braithwaite – NY22722378 ///premiums.tram.fooling
Lanthwaite – NY15892078 ///rivals.language.freshest
Gatesgarth – NY19451499 ///unearthly.committed.endings
Honister – NY22551354 ///debating.news.eclipses
Rosthwaite – NY25761486 ///bake.treatable.channel
Wasdale Head – NY18700853 ///hawks.cheese.fewest
Lake Head – NY18290743 ///sneezing.photo.classmate
Forge Bridge – SD14889951 ///bloomers.stretcher.upsetting
Running Report
If you complete the Lakeland Way Ultra and want your details added to the running reports, please send a copy of your recorded track (GPX file) and a brief report of your run, including your full name, date, time, and the conditions during the event. We would also appreciated any feedback regarding the route and the website.
Contact Richard via email: lakelandway@gmail.com
Happy running!
Sarah Perry
On 18th December 2023, ultra runner and Inov-8 athlete, Sarah Perry, became the first person to complete the Lakeland Way Ultra, in a winter time of 41 hours and 25 minutes.
At 07:30 on Saturday, at the Ravenglass Market Cross, Sarah started the challenge and arrived back at the Ravenglass Station turntable at 00:55 on Monday. Sarah endured horrendous weather conditions during the 125 miles of rough Lakeland terrain, most of which was in complete darkness.
“Congratulations to Sarah Perry on becoming the first runner to complete the new 125-mile Lakeland Way. The epic trail loop – which includes 22,000ft of ascent – has been created with the purpose of immersing runners and hikers in the scenery, nature and history of the English Lake District. Ultra runner Sarah battled ferocious winds during much of her Lakeland Way completion, achieved in 41hrs 25mins. She was supported by friends throughout.”
inov-8 All Terrain Running
The photos taken of Sarah’s run were kindly provided by David Wood of Fellside Photography
