13k Run Ambleside: Scenic Journey Through the Lake District

Route Overview & Local Insights

Experience the quintessential beauty of the Lake District on this 13.3km multi-terrain loop starting from the bustling hub of Ambleside. This "Short and Low" (SL) classified route is gently undulating with 170m of ascent, making it an accessible yet rewarding choice for runners looking to transition from road to trail. You’ll navigate a mix of paved lanes and historic bridleways, beginning with the steady climb of the Coffin Trail. The terrain is a runner’s delight, offering technical footwork through wooded sections followed by fast, flat stretches along the mirror-like shores of Grasmere and Rydal Water. The final descent down Under Loughrigg Lane provides a smooth, tarmac finish that allows you to open up your stride as you head back into town.

Steeped in literary history, this route follows the very paths that inspired the Romantic poets. The "Coffin Trail" was traditionally used to transport the deceased from Rydal to the consecrated ground at St Oswald’s Church in Grasmere, but today it serves as one of the most scenic running corridors in South Lakeland. As you pass Town End, you’ll be running by Dove Cottage, the former home of William Wordsworth. This area is the beating heart of Westmorland heritage; keep an eye out for the ancient stone walls and the dramatic silhouettes of the surrounding fells, like Nab Scar and Loughrigg Fell, which frame the valley throughout your run.