Grasmere and Rydal Water loop — Lake District National Park

Grasmere and Rydal Water are stunningly beautiful quintessential Lake District lakes. This is an area rich in wildlife, cultural and historical interest as well as boasting outstanding running trails suitable for every level. Unlike some of the harder-to-reach parts of the Lakes that involve negotiating winding, precipitous hairpin bends, access is easy and the local food and drink outlets are generally excellent quality and welcoming to thirsty runners. If you fancy a dip along the way, both lakes are clean and safe for swimmers, with no motorboats allowed. If you fancy something more challenging, Grasmere is a perfect place to base yourself.
A wonderful introduction to Lake District running, this Tour traces an anticlockwise loop around the southern shore of Grasmere and along the River Rothay trail to Rydal Water, returning along the historic Coffin Trail – a distance of 5.8-miles (9.4 km) with 492 ft (150 m) of ascent. Along the way you’ll pass the shingle beach at the southern tip of Grasmere, a perfect place for a cooling paddle or even a swim if it’s a warm day.
The run then passes close to the entrance to Rydal Caves, a water-filled former slate quarry with stepping-stones to explore. The Badger Bar at the Glen Rothay Hotel is the next stop, popular with runners and used as a checkpoint on record-breaking Wainwright Rounds. The final miles follow the medieval Coffin Trail which, despite the gory name, is a stunning route with scenic views over Rydal Water and up towards Loughrigg Fell. The finish, heading back into Grasmere, passes the churchyard where William Wordsworth is buried.
Navigation is straightforward, and the trails are popular and well-maintained, however we’d suggest wearing trail shoes as some sections are rocky and can be muddy. Most runners take a bit over an hour to complete the Tour. There are several refreshment opportunities along the route but it’s well worth carrying some food and spare jacket, just in case you end up exploring the caves or the infamous Cumbrian weather takes a turn for the worse.
Grasmere has several car parks and is also easy to reach by bus. The 555 service stops in Grasmere, running all year between Lancaster and Keswick via Kendal, Windermere and Ambleside. In summer the 599 open-topped tour bus runs regularly from Bowness to Grasmere.
Grasmere has shops and a great selection of cafes and pubs – we’d recommend the Grasmere Gingerbread shop and Tweedies Bar. YHA Grasmere and YHA Langdale are both within running distance of this Tour and the excellent National Trust Great Langdale campsite isn’t too far either. For outdoor shops and a wider selection of accommodation head to nearby Keswick and Ambleside.