The Course

Start - Patterdale, Ullswater Valley | 07:00 Start

CP5 - [Mid Way CP] University of Cumbria | 15:00 Cut Off

Finish - Patterdale, Ullswater Valley | 20:30 Course Closure

Lakes Sky Ultra provisional race route supplied for illustrative purposes only. Route amendments and updates may be made at the Race Director’s sole discretion. ©Harvey Map's 2022

Starting in Patterdale, the Lakes Sky Ultra has undergone some serious developments for 2022.

The newly developed route starts you in Patterdale at the King George Playing Field, out new events centre.

Starting at 07:00 you will be heading straight out into the Valley of Glenridding, via Grisedale and Lanty's Tarn.

Easy trails lead you to the zig-zag's of Whiteside and Raise, then the first ridge-line of the day, the ascent of Lower Man. Helvellyn is next with a descent of the famous Swirral Edge, down to the Hole in the Wall and back along Striding before the 'masses' appear.

The rounded back of the Helvellyn Massif becomes the playground before the drop to Grisedale Tarn and the wonderfully technical ascent of Cofa Pike and onto the Fairfield Range. The descent from Dove Crag is fast and furious and refreshments can be found at the Ambleside CP.

Ascending Red Screes is long and hard, then a quick drop into Kirkstone Pass before the next ridge-line is attained above St Raven's Edge. Rocky and technical drops into Threshthwaite Mouth, glorious views around the head of Kentmere and then into the valley of Haweswater via Small Water, a hidden gem of the Eastern Fells.

Tough ascending up Rough Crag and Long Stile Edge see you almost on the summit of High Street before you float down back into the Patterdale valley via the Coast to Coast and your glory finish back in the KGV Playing Field.

The route will be fully marked and flagged. There will be no navigation on route required, but navigational experience and skill maybe needed in the event of loosing the flags and is pre-requisite for a race entry.

The above image, with thanks to Harvey Maps, shows the provisional race route. There is likely to be some refinements before the race itself. Please keep an eye out for updates as they happen.

Underfoot terrain will be mixed. Grassy trods, well worn mountain paths, bare rock, scree, single track trails, hard/technical ascents and bone shaking descents will all feature on this fully marked route. Use of hands will undoubtedly be required.

There will be a safety team on the hill, with marshalled control points at high-level locations along the course. Drinks stations will be at Haweswater, Kirkstone Pass, and Ambleside with a food/nutrition available at Haweswater and Ambleside. Due to the nature of the terrain, competitors will need to carry their own food and drink for significant sections of the course, and finish with at least 200 calories of emergency rations. However, we encourage racers' families, friends and support teams to make their own way to marshalled points on the fells and at road crossings, preferably with a Cow Bell (these will be available to purchase on the day) or two to add to the atmosphere and character of the race.

There will be a cut-off at Ambleside (15:00) and DeepDale Hause (18:00), to ensure timely completion of the race route in daylight hours. Sunrise will be at approximately 05:10 with sunset at approximately 21:27, with the race running between the hours of 07:00 until 20:00.

A bottle of specially labeled cider and a hot meal awaits you at the Patterdale.

The route is fully marked and flagged, and no navigational experience is required to follow the route, but is part of the race entry requirements. A safety team will be present on the fell, and there are marshalled control points at high-level locations along the course.

In certain extreme conditions, the reduced Bad Weather Route may be used. Designed with the safety of competitors and the race team in mind, the Bad Weather Route retains as much of the spirit of Lakes Sky Ultra as possible.