Lakes Traverse
Saint Bees, United Kingdom • 3-4 Apr 2027
Lakes Traverse
The Lakes Traverse is a 100 km ultra that follows Wainwright’s coast to coast route across the Lake District National Park, running from St Bees on the west coast to Shap. The route crosses Ennerdale, Borrowdale, Grasmere Common, Grisedale Tarn, Patterdale, Kidsty Pike and Haweswater before finishing at Shap. The estimated total ascent is about 3,500 metres.
The event promotes an adventurous ethos and a culture of self sufficiency. The route is not waymarked for the race but is an established national hiking trail; participants are provided with an official waterproof race map, a digital map and a GPX file. The published route is provisional and may change between editions.
Support is provided at a series of water points and Aid Stations. Key course points (with distances from the start) include Ennerdale Water Point at 24 km, Rosthwaite Aid Station at 47 km, Patterdale Aid Station at 69 km, Kidsty Pike at 77 km and the Shap finish at about 94 km. Aid Stations usually have indoor space or shelters, toilets and food and there is typically a medic in attendance. Retiring is only possible at Aid Stations.
Mandatory kit is checked at registration and survival equipment is required. A finishers drop bag (maximum 5 kg) is transported from the start to the finish. A coach transfer service between Shap and St Bees is arranged for participants. Entry fees vary by booking window and the race contributes to UTMB and ITRA rankings. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.