Nav4 Tour de Helvellyn
Askham, United Kingdom • 20 Dec 2025
Overview
The NAV4 Tour de Helvellyn is a winter mountain ultra run scheduled for Saturday 20 December 2025, starting and finishing at Askham Community Centre on the edge of the Lake District. The route is about 38 miles with around 2000 m of total ascent and descent and includes multiple climbs to nearly 600 m. The course follows footpaths, bridleways and minor lanes but is unmarked. The event offers minimal support, is limited to experienced and competent entrants, and is restricted to roughly 200 starters (the entry system will accept up to 220 to allow for DNS; a waiting list operates once 220 have signed up). Entry fee is £70.
Route and checkpoints
The route is a circuit around Helvellyn on mountain trails and bridleways. Start and finish are at Askham Community Centre (grid ref 513 237). Checkpoints include Martindale Church (435 191), Side Farm (398 162), Swart Beck Footbridge (359 179), Stannah Beck junction (321 189), Swirls car park (317 168), Birkside Ghyll (326 124) and a second pass through Side Farm and Martindale Church before returning to Askham. The route is unmarked and navigation is required.
Kit and logistics
A pre-start kit check is carried out. Mandatory items include waterproof jacket with hood and waterproof trousers, thermal base layer and additional mid and emergency layers, warm hat and gloves, long thermal leg wear (with long legs carried if shorts are worn), headtorch, food and drink, mug or bottle, compass, whistle, survival bag, emergency food and a minimal first aid kit. A hardcopy paper map suitable for the route is required; GPS devices are not accepted as a map. Parking and limited campervan space are normally available near the Community Centre and campervan spaces must be booked in advance. Open tracking devices are used for timing and safety. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.