Lakes Traverse

Lakes Traverse

The Lakes Traverse is a 100 km ultra that follows Wainwright’s coast to coast route across the Lake District fells, running from St Bees on the west coast to Shap. The route crosses Ennerdale, Borrowdale, Grasmere Common, Grisedale Tarn, Patterdale, Kidsty Pike and Haweswater. Headline figures are 100 km distance and an estimated 3,500 m of ascent.

The route is largely unmarked but follows a well established national hiking trail and is increasingly waymarked. Organisers provide navigation support including a waterproof race map at registration, a downloadable GPX file and a digital map via the Avenza app that can display location on the route. The route is provisional and may change between editions; participants are expected to observe the Countryside Code while recceing.

Support is provided at a set of named aid stations and one water point. Most support points offer hot and cold food, drinks and indoor facilities; medics are usually present and the event has a professional response team for emergencies. Retiring is only possible at aid stations. Guidance times and a course closure on Sunday define the mandatory route and competition status.

Mandatory kit is checked at registration and a downloadable checklist is supplied. A finishers drop bag is transported from start to finish with a 5 kg limit. Optional Friday camping at St Bees and coach transfers from finish to start are offered where detailed. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.