Silva Dales Traverse
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Dales Traverse
The Dales Traverse is a 55 km ultra following Wainwright’s coast to coast route from Kirkby Stephen to Richmond on Sunday 4 April 2027. The event emphasises an adventurous ethos and a culture of self-sufficiency, with mandatory kit requirements checked at registration.
The route follows the same line as the Northern Traverse, passing through the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, over the Nine Standards and into the Yorkshire Dales National Park, weaving through Swaledale to a finish below Richmond Castle. The headline distance can vary between editions; the published estimate of 1,400 metres height gain is accurate for recent editions. The course is not fully waymarked but is usually straightforward to follow; organisers provide a waterproof race map, a digital map and a GPX file.
Aid stations and guidance times define the route. Key aid locations and approximate positions are:
- Nine Standards Rigg, 7 km from the start, 488 m height gain
- Tan Hill Road Crossing, 18 km from the start, small height change
- Hard Level Gill, 27 km from the start, notable ascent since previous
- Dales Bike Centre, 37 km from the start, indoor and outdoor shelters
- Richmond finish, about 53 km from the start
Support includes staffed aid stations with food and hot drinks, most aid stations usually have a medic, and volunteers and professional staff operate checkpoints. A finishers drop bag is transported from start to finish (maximum 5 kg; no glass or gas canisters). There are no sleeping provisions at start, aid stations or finish. A coach transfer service from Richmond to Kirkby Stephen is arranged and the journey takes around 40 minutes. Spectators are welcome at the finish but must follow event rules and not enter aid station buildings. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
