The Ullswater Rim Trail is a long distance, Trail & high-level Fell running loop around Ullswater lake of 35 miles and about 10’000 ft of elevation.
The route essentially follows the horizon ‘skyline’ of fells as viewed from Ullswater, linking up the most prominent ridge line of hills that surround the lake, it also largely traces the line of watershed created by the hills and rainfall catchment area of the lake.
Inspired by the Tahoe Rim Trail in America, it has come about by us wondering about an equivalent route in the Lake District during Covid lockdown; one that is an obvious ‘line’ to run and makes a tough day out in an iconic area and takes in well known fell tops.
It starts and finishes on Pooley Bridge, in the middle of the bridge and is to be run anti-clockwise.
In brief, the route follows the Ullswater Way from Pooley Bridge to Dockray (via Gowbarrow summit - you must touch the trig point!) then heads over Watermillock Common to Sticks Pass, over Helvellyn to Kirkstone Pass. From here it goes to High Street fell and follows the ridge back to Pooley Bridge for a faster, hard last 7-8 miles of runnable, often slightly downhill end to the route.
Full information can be found at http://freedom-racing.co.uk/ullswater-rim-trail
