11k Run Newbiggin: Journey to High Force Waterfall

Route Overview & Local Insights

Experience the raw beauty of Upper Teesdale on this 11.0km loop through Newbiggin. This route offers a quintessential fell running experience, trading paved surfaces for a challenging mix of rugged tracks and soft grassy trails. With 134m of elevation gain, the course is undulating rather than steep, but the high-altitude sections—reaching over 400m—provide a true sense of exposure to the elements. Runners should prepare for technical footing, including several small river crossings on the outward leg that require nimble movement. The standout feature is the untimed section between checkpoints five and six, allowing you to catch your breath and admire the thunderous power of High Force waterfall without the pressure of the clock.

Newbiggin and the surrounding North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are steeped in both geological and industrial history. This landscape was shaped by the Whin Sill, a massive sheet of igneous rock that creates the dramatic drops for the region’s famous waterfalls. As you traverse the moorland, you are running through a UNESCO Global Geopark known for its rare arctic-alpine flora and remnants of the area’s lead-mining past. Starting near the Bowlees Visitor Centre, this route immerses you in one of the most tranquil parts of England, where the weather can shift from bright sunshine to mist in minutes, echoing the wild character of the Pennine wayfarers who have walked these paths for centuries.