The Route
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• + START - Keswick to Barrow

  · Support Vehicle Drop Off (No Parking)
  · Toilets

  Rough How Bridge on the A591, three miles south of Keswick. From here you proceed from the Start situated in the field adjacent to the main road through the tunnel under the A591 over the field to the forest track which leads you down to the minor road ahead. Turn right onto this road and continue for several miles along the picturesque west side of Thirlmere until the road rejoins the A591. Turn right and proceed uphill towards the summit of Dunmail Raise (keep right, facing oncoming traffic)

  · Toilets – Armboth (Along Thirlmere – 2.5 Miles)
  · Toilets – Dob Gill (Along Thirlmere – 5 Miles)
  · No support vehicle access along west Thirlmere

  SUPPORT – Dunmail Raise (7.5 Miles)

  · Support Vehicle Parking
  · Toilets (Townhead Farm) located by the farm once leaving Dunmail Raise main road.

  This is where you have your first opportunity of meeting your support vehicles. From here continue south along the A591 down Dunmail Raise, turning right at the first opportunity. Continue via Gill Foot and Goody Bridge to the quaint village of Grasmere. Turn right into the village square (Toilets) where Marshals will guide you to the village car park.

• + Checkpoint 1 - Grasmere Village (K2B 10 Miles)

  · Toilets – Village Square (Note this is before the Checkpoint)
  · Refreshments provided – at Checkpoint
  · First Aid – at Checkpoint
  · Support Vehicle Access / Parking

  This world-famous village is a classic tourist attraction; here is Dove Cottage - the home of the English Poet William Wordsworth. It is also the home of Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread shop, which is tucked away at the corner of the churchyard of St. Oswald’s Church.

  From Grasmere continue in the direction of Elterwater where you will come across the notorious Red Bank, this is a rather steep hill so take it easy. From the top of Red Bank continue to follow route signs which direct you down to Elterwater Common (enjoy the view) to Elterwater village.

• + Checkpoint 2 - Elterwater Village (K2B 13 Miles)

  · Toilets – Adjacent to Checkpoint
  · Refreshments provided – at Checkpoint
  · First Aid – at Checkpoint

  The checkpoint here is positioned outside the Britannia Inn; a third of the walk distance is complete at this point. Elterwater is closed to support vehicles, and this will be enforced by police.

  Leave Elterwater along the lanes in the direction of Coniston, eventually turning right onto the A593. The next two miles are along a busy road, and walkers should stay on the right of the road to face on-coming traffic.

  Continue along the side of Yew Tree Tarn until you come to Tom Gill. Here turn left off the road and head up a short steep bridle track, taking you over to the head of Coniston Water where you will find Monk Coniston Car Park.

• + START - Coniston to Barrow

  The C2B starts on the edge of Coniston village at:

  Coniston Sports and Social Club,
  Shepherds Bridge Lane,
  Coniston,
  LA21 8AL.

  To reach the start by vehicle, enter Coniston village and drive to the top end of Shepherds Bridge Lane on the A593. Turn into Shepherds Bridge Lane, and drive southwards to the Coniston Sports and Social Club. Please drop-off walkers in the lane outside the sports club entrance.

  ·  Toilets are available in the club building.

  The C2B walk starts at the sports and social club building. Walkers cross a small field and exit via a farm gate onto the public footpath alongside the B5285. The walk proceeds eastwards along the footpath, and across the top end of Coniston Water.

  The C2B walk route joins up with the K2B route just north of K2B Checkpoint 3 at Monk Coniston, and then shares the same route all the way down to the finish at Hawcoat Park Sports Club in Barrow.

• + Checkpoint 3 - Monk Coniston (K2B 18 Miles & C2B 1 Mile)

  · Support Vehicle Parking
  · Refreshments – at Checkpoint
  · Toilets – in the Car Park
  · First Aid – in the Car Park

  Another convenient location for your support crews to assist you before you continue down the east side of Coniston Water. This is also the last point your support crews can meet you before Lowick. (Support vehicles to go via Torver to Lowick)

  Designated official support vehicles will support Monk Coniston to Lowick.

  The Coniston to Barrow (C2B) Walk route joins the Keswick to Barrow (K2B) Walk route at Checkpoint 3. As this checkpoint is only 1 mile into the C2B route, C2B support crews are advised to go straight from the Coniston start to Checkpoint 4 at Lowick.

• + Checkpoint 4 - Water Park (K2B 24 Miles & C2B 7 Miles)

  FOOD & REFRESHMENTS - Machells Coppice (20.5 Miles)

  As you approach Machells Coppice you will pass Brantwood the former home of John Ruskin (1872 to 1900). Machells Coppice represents the halfway stage of the K2B and is an ideal opportunity to rest, take in the scenery and have some well-deserved lunch. Note that lunch is not provided for C2B walkers. Machells Coppice is 20.5 miles from the K2B start, and 3.5 miles from the C2B start.

  · Toilets at Machells Coppice
  · Food provided at Machells Coppice for K2B walkers only
  · Refreshments at Machells Coppice
  · First Aid at Machells Coppice

  Continue along the lake, where you will pass by Piel Island where the film Swallows and Amazons was set, and also the location of Donald Campbell's fatally missed last fuelling point before commencing his final 300 mph run up the lake.

  FIRST AID - Rigg Wood (22.5 Miles)

  First Aid and walker support is provided at Rigg Wood.

  CHECKPOINT 4 - Water Park (24 Miles)

  The checkpoint is by the roadside at Water Park, 24.0 miles from the K2B start. Refreshments are provided at the checkpoint.

  From here you proceed along the east side of Coniston Water for several miles through the edges of Grizedale Forest and the beautiful village of Nibthwaite to Lowick.

• + Checkpoint 5 - Red Lion Inn (K2B 26.4 Miles & C2B 9.4 Miles)

  CHECKPOINT 5 – Red Lion (26.4 Miles)

  · Support Vehicle Parking – Field behind the Pub
  · Toilets – at the Pub

  Upon arrival at Lowick you will first come to a busy cross road which is the first opportunity since Monk Coniston to meet up with your support crew (Please note support vehicles to use the temporary car park set up behind the farm). Walkers be wary of the Red Lion Pub, which is responsible for around 40% of all walk casualties.

  SUPPORT - Lowick Church (26.7 Miles)

  Support is provided at Lowick Church, a third of a mile further up the route from the Red Lion.

  · Toilets
  · Refreshments provided
  · First Aid – at Checkpoint

  Having already completed marathon distance, the challenge now starts to get interesting as you face a four-mile steady up hill climb to the route’s highest point on Kirkby Moor. Support vehicles are not permitted along this stretch of the route.

• + Checkpoint 6 - Rake Cross Roads (K2B 30.5 Miles & C2B 13.5 Miles)

  The emergence of the wind turbines on the top of the moor indicates you are approaching the summit and Rake Cross Roads Checkpoint gives you an opportunity to rest prior to attempting the final half mile of ascent.

  · Toilets – at Checkpoint (Portaloo)
  · Refreshments provided – at Checkpoint
  · First Aid – at Checkpoint

  As you approach the top of the moor the views can be fantastic. Behind you are the peaks of the Lake District, many some 30 miles into the distance where you started your trek.

  SUPPORT PICK-UP ONLY – Horrace Cross Roads (31.5 Miles)

  At this point you are now on top of the Moor and is the first opportunity to provide support to your team since Lowick. There is very limited parking for support vehicles, so this point should only be used by support crews to pick up tired or injured walkers who are dropping out of the walk.

  · First Aid located at Pack Horse Bridge (further ½ mile)

  As you proceed along the moor, Morecambe Bay can be viewed to the left with Blackpool and the Pennines which can be seen beyond. To the right is the Duddon Estuary, the Irish Sea and the Isle of Man (Ireland and Wales can also be seen on a clear day). Ahead is the Furness peninsula and the islands surrounding the port of Barrow – your destination.

• + Checkpoint 7 - Marton Village (K2B 34 Miles & C2B 17 Miles)

  As you start your descent into the Lower Furness area you will reach the rural village of Marton, where you will find the checkpoint.

  · Toilets
  · Refreshments provided
  · First Aid
  · Support Vehicle parking on Tarn Flatt, about a mile after the Checkpoint

  Carry on along the route south towards Barrow.

  Black Dog junction (35.5 Miles)

  · First Aid

• + Checkpoint 8 - Dalton Fire Station ( K2B 36.75 Miles & C2B 19.75 Miles)

  The ancient capital of Furness makes for the last – and much appreciated stop. The checkpoint is opposite the Fire Station on the edge of the town. There is plenty of space for car parking in this area.

  · Toilets – 200m further along the route at Tudor Square
  · Refreshments provided – at Checkpoint
  · First Aid – at Checkpoint.

  Proceed on through the town passing Tudor Square and the Castle, turning left at the White Horse Inn as you leave the town. The last three miles along Abbey Road can be the toughest of them all. No stopping now though.

  · Refreshments - Stone Trough, Abbey Road, to assist you in that final last mile to the Finish.

• + FINISH - Hawcoat Park Sports & Social Club (K2B 40 Miles & C2B 23 Miles)

  The finish is on the outskirts of Barrow at the sports club on Hawcoat lane. This can be accessed by turning right off Abbey Road at the Glenn Garth Hotel. Proceed up Dane Avenue for 50 metres turning left along Wheatclose Road until it meets Hawcoat Lane. Turn right and the club gates are located 50 metres on the left. As you arrive you will be applauded by well-wishers and many other participants with mutual respect for what you have accomplished. Settle down in the club, enjoy your free drinks and soak in the tremendous atmosphere.

  · Toilets, Changing Facilities, Showers
  · Refreshments and food provided to all participants
  · First Aid
  · Parking is available at St Pauls Hall (across from the sports club gates) and also the Hoops car park accessed via Thorncliffe Road (signposted).