Explore the Cartmel - Ellerside
Location: Cartmel, The Lake District National Park, England
This is a 12.6 km lollipop-shaped route that starts and finishes in Cartmel. You’ll run out on a single path, complete a loop, and then retrace your steps on that same path to finish. With only about 10% of the route on paved surfaces, trail shoes are the right choice here; the rest is a mix of woodland paths, dirt tracks, and grassy fields. The first couple of kilometres form the 'stick' of the lollipop, taking you on a steady climb into woodland.
The 161 metres of total ascent are distributed throughout the run, so it feels consistently rolling rather than having one significant slog. The main loop section climbs up onto a ridge where the views open up across the surrounding farmland. The footing requires attention, switching between firm dirt trails and softer, uneven grassy sections. After rain, you can expect some of these paths to become quite muddy and slippery, particularly through fields and under tree cover.
Once you complete the loop, which crosses through a few working farms, you rejoin your outbound path. The final section is a reverse of the start, heading downhill back towards Cartmel. It’s a classic off-road training run – not a high fell expedition, but a good, varied workout that will keep you focused on the ground in front of you.