Boredale - Ullswater Loop

This 12.0 km anti-clockwise loop is a run of two halves. The first section is defined by a single, significant climb that accounts for most of the 425 m of total ascent. Starting from near Patterdale, you’ll head up away from the lake through Rooking. The gradient is testing and sustained, so expect to settle into a hard effort early on. The reward is the long, flying descent that follows, dropping you down into the valley of Boredale.

With around 70% of the route on unpaved surfaces, road shoes won’t be suitable. You’ll need trail shoes with decent grip, particularly for controlling the descent into Boredale and for the rugged sections along the lake. The terrain is classic Lake District fell path; it’s rocky underfoot and will get boggy in places after rain, so expect to pay attention to your footing throughout. The paved sections are mostly quiet country lanes at the start and end.

Once you’re down in Boredale, the route joins the Ullswater Way for the return leg. This section is much flatter and more runnable than the first half, though the path remains uneven. It keeps you close to the water’s edge for a few kilometres, offering a completely different feel to the earlier climb. As a loop, you can technically start at any point, but beginning in Patterdale gets the main climb out of the way first.