7k Run Allerdale: Scenic Route through Binsey Hills

Route Overview & Local Insights

Tackling Binsey offers a perfect introduction to the Lake District’s northern fells, squeezing a healthy 284m of vertical gain into a manageable 6.6km loop. This "hilly" rated route skips the pavement entirely, starting just off the A591 near Keswick Reach and ascending quickly to the summit. Expect a mix of grassy tracks and rugged fellside terrain that can be soft underfoot, making it a fantastic workout for your glutes and calves. The climb is rewarded with an "over the top" experience before you loop back via a lower, sweeping path that allows for some fast, rhythmic descending through the Allerdale landscape.

Binsey is unique in the Cumbrian landscape; though it stands detached from the main mountain massifs, its isolated position provides what Alfred Wainwright famously described as one of the best viewpoints for the money. On a clear day, your run is backdropped by the hulking shapes of Skiddaw and Blencathra to the south, while the Solway Firth and even the Scottish hills shimmer to the north. This area of Allerdale is steeped in agricultural history, and you’ll likely share the trail with local Herdwick sheep, so keep an eye out for the traditional dry-stone walling that defines this quieter corner of the National Park.