Trail and Fell Running in the Lake District

The Lake District has a longer tradition of fell running than anywhere else in Britain, and for trail and mountain runners it remains one of the great playgrounds. Soaring ridgelines, dramatic horseshoes, ancient tracks and high mountain terrain make it one of the most rewarding trail and fell running destinations in the world, with iconic routes above Langdale, Borrowdale, Coniston and Keswick within easy reach. Kingsley Jones's Cicerone guidebook covers 40 trail, fell and skyrunning routes across the Lake District, graded by terrain and difficulty so you can choose a run that suits your ability and ambitions on the day. Routes are organised into four sections covering the full extent of the national park, from the southern valleys to the high northern fells. Routes range from 5 to 21 miles and are graded by terrain type, from wide trails and single track to technical skyrunning, covering all four quadrants of the Lake District from Coniston and Langdale to Helvellyn and Skiddaw Classic fell race routes are included as recces, among them the Langdale Horseshoe, Borrowdale and Scafell Pike direct, giving runners the chance to follow in the footsteps of some of Britain's most celebrated mountain races Detailed route descriptions are supported by OS map extracts for each run, alongside key facts covering distance, ascent, descent, timings, recommended maps, transport and parking Downloadable GPX files are available for all 40 routes, enabling easy digital navigation on GPS devices or smartphone apps A comprehensive introduction covers the history of fell running in the Lake District, the best bases for a running holiday, kit and equipment, adapting to off-road terrain, navigation and mountain safety Packed with routes for every level of runner, from short trail outings to long mountain days, this is the essential companion for anyone running in the Lake District.

The 40 routes in this guidebook offer some of the best trail running, fell running and sky running routes in the Lake District National Park, one of the world's great mountain running regions. Each route has been carefully graded to indicate terrain and difficulty so that the runner can select a route that suits their ability or aspirations for the day. Routes range from 5 miles to 21 miles, and include classics such as the Helvellyn skyline, Langdale Horseshoe, Borrowdale and Scafell Pike direct. Detailed route descriptions and OS map extracts accompany each route, along with key facts, including distance, ascent, descent, timings, maps, transport and parking. There is a useful introduction explaining the history of trail and fell running in the Lake District, along with advice about the best bases for a trail running holiday, equipment and adapting to running off road. There is a rich history of mountain running in the UK, and for many the Lake District is the spiritual home of fell running. Whether you want to follow the course of some of the classic fell races, or explore some of the quieter corners of the national park, the aim of this book is to inspire you to enjoy this thrilling sport in one of its greatest playgrounds.