Thirlmere loop from Swirls — Lake District National Park

Running trails & routes

St John'S Castlerigg And Wythburn

Thirlmere loop from Swirls — Lake District National Park

Hard

5.0

(2)

116

runners

Thirlmere loop from Swirls — Lake District National Park

01:52

16.6km

260m

Running

Thirlmere reservoir fills the long valley west of the Helvellyn massif in the central Lake District. Typically viewed from the A591 as you drive north or south, it’s an impressive lake that surprisingly doesn’t get a lot of footfall. A full loop of the reservoir is 10.3 miles (16.6 km),…

Last updated: June 7, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.90 km

Thirlmere Reservoir Dam

Highlight (Segment) • Structure

The reservoir was created in the 1800s to provide water for the rapidly growing Manchester. This dam was built which flooded the valley and joined the two smaller lakes that …

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6.86 km

Launchy Gill Waterfall and Thirlmere Western Shore

Highlight • Viewpoint

Launchy Gill tumbles down off Armboth Fell to reach Thirlmere at a small beach on the quiet western shore. If you’re running around the reservoir, it's a nice place to …

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11.7 km

Thirlmere Eastern Shore Gravel Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

This wide gravel trail follows the eastern shore of Thirlmere reservoir above the busy A591. It's not technical but fun to run with great views. If you're in a group …

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16.6 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.4 km

2.26 km

1.91 km

1.00 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

8.17 km

3.95 km

2.92 km

914 m

573 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (290 m)

Lowest point (180 m)

Weather

Monday 5 October

13°C

7°C

62 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 27, 2023

Thirlmere reservoir fills the long valley west of the Helvellyn massif in the central Lake District. Typically viewed from the A591 as you drive north or south, it’s an impressive lake that surprisingly doesn’t get a lot of footfall. A full loop of the reservoir is 10.3 miles (16.6 km), but with only