Hartsop & The Beacon

Distance: 6.5 miles (11km)
Start/finish: Hartsop, CA11 0NZ
Terrain: Trail, track, open fell
Toughness: Challenging
Ascent: 632 metres
Navigation: Moderate to challenging (harder in poor visibility)
Good for: Ascents, really wild
Route info: 54.5088, -2.9124 / NY4102112994

This spectacular run starts and finishes
in pretty Hartsop village, near the northern end of the Kirkstone Pass. From the stunning U-shaped valley with Gray Crag to L and Hartsop Dodd to R, the run path lies clearly ahead, climbing into the high fells. The path ascends steeply to Threshthwaite, heading L to the summit plateau of Thornthwaite Beacon with cairn and panoramic views. From here let clear path draw you along the ridge of High Street to summit, before descending along the Straights of Riggindale. A steep, fairly technical descent leads to footbridge at N end of Hayeswater – a wonderful place for a circular run taking in Angle Tarn – before descending a track past waterfalls at Hayeswater Gill and back to Hartsop.

Miles Km Directions
0.0 0.0 From car park head south, crossing and then following Pasture Beck south east up valley between Grey Crag and Hartsop Dodd, climbing steeply to Threshthwaite
2.1 3.4 At path junction turn left and head east, ascending to reach cairn on summit plateau of Thornthwaite Beacon
2.5 4.0 From cairn follow ridge north east to summit plateau of High Street and head north along clear path, continuing over summit and descending the Straights of Riggindale
4.2 6.7 At path junction take left fork and continue north over The Knott
4.8 7.7 At path junction bear left and descend steeply, heading west to the footbridge at the northern end of Hayeswater
5.3 8.5 Cross footbridge and follow path alongside Hayeswater Gill, trending westwards to descend back to Hartsop

Download and print route directions (right click to download)

Download .GPX file (right click to download)

How to use .GPX files

OS Map

 

Open Street Map and interactive elevation profile

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