Trail Running: High Raise, Kidsty Pike, Rest Dodd and Winter Crag circular

About this trail

Trail running in the Lake District is not only a great challenge but also massively rewarding and this 20km circular in the far Eastern Fells is no exception. Those looking to bag a few of the Wainwrights can tick seven of them off the list on this route.

Wainwrights along this route: Rest Dodd, The Knott, Rampsgill Head, Kidsty Pike, High Raise, Wether Hill and Steel Knotts.

Located just off the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District this route offers a challenging run with some stunning views across the far Eastern Lakeland fells.

Limited parking is available Martindale, either on the roadside or at St Martin’s Church – get there early to avoid disappointment.

We recommend completing this route anti-clockwise as it would be treacherous coming down the Nab. The terrain in this whole area is scarred by peat hags so can be very boggy. It was frozen and icy with the conditions we had. So prepare yourself with the right kit.

Route Description

The Nab

(1) The route takes you up through a farm towards Dale Head, with the route splitting off to the left shortly before.

(2) From here the route takes you up on to The Nab, standing at 576m (1,890ft), this is quite exposed and steep on the way up. We had to scoot around the side as it was too icy to scramble up the rocks but even the side felt exposed. Once up you are treated to absolutely stunning 360 degree views of the far eastern Lakeland fells.

Rest Dodd, Kidsty Pike and High Raise

(3) The next peak is Rest Dodd which stands at 696m (2,283ft), and is much quieter than the footpath between Ullswater and Haweswater. Described by Wainwright as “A fell of little interest although the east flank falls spectacularly in fans of colourfull scree” you won’t need to worry about foot traffic.

(4) Leaving Rest Dodd behind you, your next peak is The Knott 739m (2,425ft) which stands above Hayeswater and is an outlier of Rampsgill Head. Unsurprisingly Ramsgill Head is up next at a height of 792m (2,598ft) before arriving at Kidsty Pike. Although only small Kidsty Pike, 780m (2559ft), has a dramatic summit which can be easily seen from the east.

(5) Heading North from Kidsty Pike you soon reach High Raise (High Street) which stands at 802m (2,631ft). This ridge north takes you to Wether Hill and takes you over the intermediate tops of Raven Howe 715m (2,345ft) and Red Crag 711m (2,332ft).

(6) Reaching Wether Hill with a height of 671m (2,201ft) follow the route over to Steel Knotts 432m (1,417ft). Complete the circular route back to the start of the trail.

What kit we used

Being prepared in the great outdoors is always important but especially so when trail running in the Lake District. It isn’t just a case of wearing the right footwear you need to be prepared in case of injury, you would get really cold if you didn’t have any extra layers/foil blanket in the bag. I’ve been injured myself up on the fells and had to hobble down, it’s easily done with the uneven ground. This is why poles come in handy as well.

Kit List

• Saucony Peregrine 13 ST Women’s Trail Running Shoes – SS23
• Montane Gecko VP12+ (hydration running  pack) body hugging fit and great accessible storage
• Leki Ultratrail FX One Superlite – great for any technical parts
• Innov8 Stormshell Jacket
• Yaktrax run – prevents slips when running on icy and snowy bits
• Extra layers, winter gloves etc.
• Headtorch
• Emergency foil blanket
• Food and water (as this was more of a social day and not a race we just took a sandwich and some water/active root (electrolyte)

Food & Drink

As always in the Lake District you are never short of food and drink options. On this particular trip we stopped at The Sun Inn at Pooley Bridge for a quick drink before heading home. They also offer accommodation.

There is also The Crown Inn and The Pooley Bridge Inn to choose from. All three of these venues offer great food and accommodation and all are approximately a 20-minute drive from the start of the walk.