Lake District Sky Trails - Swirral Grind 850
Patterdale, United Kingdom • 17 Jul 2026
Swirral Grind 850
The Swirral Grind 850 is a vertical ascent race held in the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The event takes place in Patterdale and is designed as an uphill only course, similar in style to a Vertical K race. It serves as part of the larger Helvellyn Sky Ultra weekend.
The course covers a distance of 6 km and involves 850 m of total ascent. The route begins at the King George Playing Field in Patterdale before following steep and stepped paths. The path leads to the Hole in the Wall followed by a flatter section through the Red Tarn Basin. The final segment of the race climbs toward the ridge-line of Swirral Edge, involving easy scrambling to reach the finish at the summit trig point, situated at an elevation of 950m.
Participants must be at least 16 years old on the day of the event. The course is fully marked and includes a manned checkpoint. Safety is managed by a professional safety officer and a supporting mountain safety team. All finishers receive a medal made from recycled paper mache containing wildflower seeds.
The available distance is:
- 6 km (850 m ascent)
The event is based at the King George Playing Field in Patterdale, which also serves as the hub for other mountain running events held over the same weekend. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.