11k Run Allerdale: Scenic Journey Around Crummock Water

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 10.5km loop offers some of the most serene lakeside and valley running in Allerdale, striking a perfect balance between technical trail and steady flow. Starting from the sheltered canopy of Lanthwaite Wood, you'll tackle the undulating west shore of Crummock Water, where the terrain can become quite adventurous—be prepared for rocky sections and potential flooding after heavy Cumbrian rain. The route features a moderate 197m ascent as you climb alongside the dramatic Scale Beck toward Mosedale. This "SL" category course reaches elevations where conditions can shift rapidly, rewarding runners with a fast, sweeping descent through the quiet Mosedale Valley and back through the lush greenery of Flass Wood.

Crummock Water is often overshadowed by its neighbor Buttermere, but local runners know it as the more rugged and peaceful alternative. Historically, this area was a hub for iron mining, but today it is a sanctuary of the National Trust, characterized by the dramatic silhouettes of Mellbreak and Grasmoor. As you transition from the lakeside to the hidden valley of Mosedale, you are running through a landscape shaped by glacial activity and centuries of sheep farming. Keep an eye out for the local Herdwick sheep and the majestic Scale Force—the tallest waterfall in the Lake District—which feeds the beck you'll pass during your climb.