13k Run Braithwaite: Challenging Loop at Coledale Horseshoe

Route Overview & Local Insights

Conquering the Coledale Horseshoe is a rite of passage for fell runners visiting Braithwaite. This 13.3km trek is a relentless but rewarding mountain loop that demands respect, packing nearly 1,000m of ascent into its course. You’ll tackle the heart-pumping climb to Grisedale Pike right out of the gate—a 600m vertical gain in just 3.5km—before navigating the technical, rocky ridges of Crag Hill. The terrain is a true Lakeland mix of steep grassy slopes, technical scree scrambling, and high-altitude boggy sections, making it a Category SL (Short Local) fell race classic that requires sure footing and mountain grit.

Steeped in Cumbrian mining history, the valley below the horseshoe was once the site of the Force Crag Mine, the last working mineral mine in the Lake District. As you traverse the ridgelines of Hopegill Head and Outerside, you’re treated to panoramic views of Skiddaw and the Newlands Valley, offering a perspective of the fells that has inspired poets and climbers for centuries. Starting and ending in the charming village of Braithwaite, this route captures the rugged, wild essence of the North Western Fells while providing a convenient descent back to a well-earned local pint.