Crook, Arant Haw, Nab, Winder

This is a short, demanding loop from Sedbergh that gets nearly 700 metres of climbing into less than 8km. It’s a route for testing your hill legs. The anticlockwise circuit starts climbing immediately, taking you on a steep grade up the fellside towards the first summit, Crook. The surface is almost entirely unpaved grassy paths across the Howgill Fells, so trail shoes with good grip are necessary, particularly after rain when the slopes can become slick.

From Crook, the route continues to gain height on the way to Arant Haw, the highest point of the run. The footing remains consistent on grass tracks as you follow the ridge line. You'll have clear sightlines over the Dales from up here, weather permitting. The section from Arant Haw follows a more gradual ridge towards Nab, which presents as a less distinct summit before you turn towards the final climb of the day.

The last peak is Winder, which requires another short, sharp ascent. Once you're over the top, it’s all downhill. The descent back into Sedbergh is steep and can be run fast, so long as your quads aren't too fatigued from the work done. In function, this is a classic fell running session: four summits, sustained climbing, and a quick-fire test of fitness packed into a small area.