55k Run Kidsgrove: Stunning Gritstone Trail Adventure

Route Overview & Local Insights

The Gritstone Trail Ultra is a formidable 55.4km point-to-point test of endurance that traverses the rugged spine of the Cheshire Peak District. Starting from Kidsgrove and finishing in Disley, runners will tackle an impressive 1,335m of vertical gain across a mix of technical singletrack, boggy moorland, and short paved connectors. This is a true "fell runner's" ultra, featuring iconic climbs like Mow Cop, the steep ascent of Bosley Cloud, and the punishing ridges leading to Tegg's Nose. The terrain is notoriously varied; you'll encounter everything from slippery gritstone slabs to the limestone trails of Lyme Park, making the signature 'G' footprint waymarkers a welcome sight as you navigate through the hills.

Beyond the physical challenge, this route offers a deep dive into the industrial and natural heritage of Northern England. You’ll pass the atmospheric "Castle" folly at Mow Cop—the symbolic birthplace of Primitive Methodism—and the striking White Nancy landmark overlooking Bollington, which was originally built to commemorate the victory at Waterloo. The final leg brings you through the majestic 1,400-acre Lyme Park estate, a historic deer park and former ancestral home that famously stood in for Pemberley in the BBC's "Pride and Prejudice." Running this trail isn't just a race against the clock; it's a journey through the grit and glory of the Cheshire scenery.