Event
The Ullswater 20
Location
Nestled in the “Eastern Fells,” Ullswater is often cited as England’s most beautiful lake. It sits roughly 6 miles southwest of Penrith. For a runner, its shape is its defining feature: a massive, 7-mile “Z” bend carved by glacial retreat. This dog-leg ribbon of water is flanked by the towering Helvellyn range to the west and the rolling High Street ridge to the east, creating a dramatic corridor that shifts from pastoral meadows to rugged mountains.
Landscape & Terrain
The run is a game of two halves, demanding both speed and technical footwork:
- The Mellow North: Near Pooley Bridge, the trail is fast and rolling. You’ll find yourself on undulating bridleways and through ancient woodland like Dunmallard Hill. The elevation is forgiving here, allowing you to find a rhythmic cadence.
- The Technical South: As you push toward Glenridding and Patterdale, the landscape “muscles up.” The terrain becomes a mix of slick rock, tangled roots, and narrow single-track as you climb to the peak of Gowbarrow, standing 481 meters (1,579 feet) . Then dropping down to the home of Aira Force, where the trail weaves past thunderous waterfalls.
- The Highlight: The stretch between Patterdale and Howtown is the crown jewel. It’s a balcony trail etched into the fellside, offering technical “ups and downs” with constant, sweeping views of the water.
Features
You aren’t just running through nature; you’re running through history. You’ll pass the “Daffodils” that inspired Wordsworth as you round the bay at Glencoyne, and catch glimpses of the Ullswater Steamers cutting wakes through the deep blue water.
It’s a course that rewards the versatile athlete and hiker—one minute you’re sprinting across a flat lakeside field, the next you’re power-hiking a rocky spur with the scent of pine and bracken in the air.
Getting started
There are a number of great spots to begin your Ullswater Way journey, the Montane Ullswater 20 begins at Jenkin’s Field, Glenridding at the South end of the lake by the Steamer landing, where there is various parking options available. Alternatively, you can begin your journey at the North of the Lake in the idilic village of Pooley Bridge.
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