Skamper
6.5km

Rydal - Alcock Tarn — 6.5 km Running Route

by Skamper

Rydal - Alcock Tarn is a 6.5 km (4.0 miles) loop in Rydal, The Lake District National Park, England: hilly, with 373 m of climb, on trail ground.

Lake District National Park
373 mAscent
Paved5%Paved
5/5Hilly

Start anywhere route. Jump on the course line at any point — wherever you start will also be your finish point.

Rydal - Alcock Tarn running route
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Photos

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Elevation

Explore the Rydal - Alcock Tarn

Location: Rydal, The Lake District National Park, England

This 6.5 km anticlockwise loop from Rydal offers a rewarding Lakeland experience. The initial climb to Alcock Tarn is steep and rocky, providing a challenging ascent with excellent views across Grasmere and the surrounding fells. It’s a fantastic route for building hill strength and enjoying breathtaking scenery.

After reaching the tarn, the descent involves a mix of grassy, rocky, and uneven paths before joining the historic Coffin Route. This more runnable section allows for a smoother finish. Ideal for runners seeking a short but demanding hill workout and those looking to immerse themselves in the dramatic beauty of the Lake District.

Common questions

How long is this route?
It's a 6.5 km loop in Rydal, The Lake District National Park, England with around 373 metres of total ascent.
How long will it take me to run it?
Use the 'Your time estimate' panel at the top of this page — it predicts your finish time for this exact route from your age, sex and most recent benchmark, accounting for distance, ascent and surface.
Is it hilly?
Yes — seriously. It rates 5 out of 5 on our hill scale — long, steep climbing throughout. About 57 metres of climb per kilometre, 373 metres in total.
What's the surface like?
It's an off-road route — trail shoes are recommended and underfoot can be soft or rocky in places.

Reviews (1)

JeffMay 2025

Amazing route. Tough climb to start and well worth it for views! Stay focused on map by Nab Scar. I went past it - and past the left footpath turn - so inadvertently kept going to Heron Pike. Retraced steps and found path to Alcock Tarn. So many stunning spots along the way. Trail shoes fine because most of this is bridleway and managed fell.

Shoe suggestion: Trail

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