Lakes Traverse
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Event Overview
The Lakes Traverse is an ultra-distance trail event covering approximately 100 km in the Lake District National Park. It follows Wainwright's Coast to Coast route from St Bees on the west coast to Shap, traversing the full width of the national park.
Route Details
The course passes through notable locations including Ennerdale, Borrowdale, over Grasmere Common, past Grisedale Tarn, through Patterdale, over Kidsty Pike, and along Haweswater. The event has an advertised total elevation gain of around 3,500 metres. Participants are provided with a waterproof race map, a digital map via the Avenza app, and a downloadable GPX file of the route.
The course is not marked but follows a well-established national hiking trail. The route is defined by aid stations and intermediary guidance times, with a final course closure time 30 hours after the start.
Support & Logistics
There are several support points along the route:
- Ennerdale Water Point (water only)
- Rosthwaite Aid Station (indoor space)
- Patterdale Aid Station (marquee space)
- Shap (finish, indoor space)
Aid stations offer a selection of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes, fresh fruit, and hot vegetarian meals such as pizza, burritos, and vegetable chilli. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. A mandatory kit list must be complied with, including items like a survival bag and whistle.
A finisher's drop bag (max 5kg) is transported from the start to the finish. An optional Friday night camping space at the registration venue (St Bees School) and optional Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast are available for an extra fee. Coach transport from the finish (Shap) back to the start (St Bees) is available on Friday and Saturday mornings for a fee. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
