Scenic Runs Routes

If you are visiting Cumbria and the surrounding area and would like some ideas for scenic runs, we offer the following routes which you may find of interest.  The first group of runs were compiled for use during the Morgans at Windermere weekend and were accurate at the time of writing but have not subsequently been checked or updated. The second section comprises a collection of runs that highlight some of the best roads and destinations in north Lancashire, south Cumbria and west Yorkshire.

These runs are all offered in good faith but without any form of warranty and are used at your own risk.

Morgans at Windermere 2024

Note! All four of the 2024 runs start and finish at the Crooklands Hotel, Crooklands, LA7 7NW

Run 2024/1. Austwick. A 45 mile circular run to the village of Austwick taking in a number of other Lancashire and Yorkshire villages using country lanes with views over the local countryside.

Run 2024/2. The old North Road. A circular 55 mile run to the north via Kendal using the A6, the old north road to Scotland,  to reach Shap before returning via Crosby Ravensworth, Maulds Meaburn, Orton and Tebay and on to the Crooklands Hotel.

Run 2024/3. The Iconic Lake District. A 116 mile circular run taking in the iconic parts parts of the Lake District. The run passes through such places as Bowness, Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick alongside Windermere, Rydal Water, Thirlmere, Derwentwater, Buttermere, Crummock Water and over the Honister and Whinlatter passes.

Run 2024/4. North to County Durham. A 131 mile run north into County Durham passing through Sedburgh, Kirkby Stephen, Brough and over the open fell roads to Middleton -in-Teesdale and returning via Alston, the highest market town in England, and the spectacular open road across Alston Moor.

Morgans at Windermere 2023

Note! All three of the 2023 runs start and finish at the Crooklands Hotel, Crooklands, LA7 7NW

Route 2023/1. Dent. A 46 mile run past the towns of Kirkby Lonsdale and Ingleton to drive open Fell and Dale roads in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The route passes under the famous Settle/Carlisle railway with the opportunity to experience spectacular views of the Ribblehead and Dale Head viaducts before continuing through the villages of Dent and Barbon.

Run 2023/2. The South Lakes. A 70 mile run via Grizedale, Langdale, Coniston, Cartmel and Grange-over-Sands, before returning to the Crooklands Hotel with numerous places to visit on the route including the Ruskin Museum and the home of the “best” Sticky Toffee Pudding in Grange-over-Sands.

Run 2023/3,  Valleys, Lakes, Fells and Passes.116 mile circular run through some of the most scenic parts of the north western area of the Lake District, driving along valleys, past lakes and over mountain passes, including stretches of narrow and challenging fell roads and picturesque lanes as well as main roads. The route goes via the village of Sedgwick, along the Lyth Valley, through Bowness, Ambleside, and Grasmere towards Keswick; past Windermere, Rydal Water, Thirlmere and Derwent Water; along the scenic Borrowdale road over Honister Pass; alongside Buttermere and Crummock Water, before turning east over Whinlatter Pass and bypassing Keswick again on the A66; then south to the shores of Ullswater and Brothers Water, over Kirkstone Pass to Windermere and back to Kendal and Crooklands.

Morgans at Windermere 2022

Note! All three of the 2022 runs start and finish at the Crooklands Hotel, Crooklands, LA7 7NW

Run 2022/1. Clapham. A 42 mile gentle drive through various Lancashire and Yorkshire villages to reach the village of Clapham, an ancient village predating the Norman conquest nestling beneath Ingleborough, the second highest peak in Yorkshire.

Run 2022/2. Cumbria and the west Yorkshire Dales. A 60 mile circular run via Sedbergh, Hawes, Dent and Kirkby Lonsdale before returning to the Crooklands Hotel.

Run 2022/3. Valleys, Fells, Lakes & Mountain Passes. 116 mile circular run through some of the most scenic parts of the north western area of the Lake District, driving along valleys, past lakes and over mountain passes, including stretches of narrow and challenging fell roads and picturesque lanes as well as main roads.

Morgans at Windermere 2021

Note! All three of the 2021 runs start and finish at the Crooklands Hotel, Crooklands, LA7 7NW

Run 2021/01. Ullswater and Thirlmere. A 92 mile round trip through the Lyth Valley and over the Kirkstone Pass to travel along the shores of Ullswater before returning past Thirlmere and Grasmere. Places of interest on route include the steamboat museum at Windermere Jetty, the Lakeland Horticultural Society gardens at Holehird and the National Trust farmhouse at Townend.

Run 2021/02. The Trough of Bowland. A 67 mile circular run through the Forest of Bowland passing by Kirkby Lonsdale before joining open fell roads through the Forest of Bowland to pass through the Trough of Bowland. The route then returns along country lanes and through a number of Lancashire villages before returning to the Crooklands Hotel.

Run 2021/03. Grange-over-Sands and Cartmel. A 38 mile run to Grange over Sands using country lanes with a return via the village of Cartmel with its 2 Michelin starred restaurant. The route passes Levens Hall with its historic formal garden and Sizergh Castle, a National Trust house that has been occupied by the same family for over 800 years.

Morgans at Windermere 2019:

Note! All three of the 2019 runs start and finish at the Crooklands Hotel, Crooklands, LA7 7NW

Run 2019/01. Lowther Castle. A 100 mile round trip on delightful roads and the shores of two of the longest lakes in the National Park with the opportunity to visit Brantwood, the home of John Ruskin, and Lowther Castle to learn about the eccentricities of the 'yellow' Earl.

Run 2019/02. Wrynose and Hardknott Passes. A deceptive 85 mile run over the iconic Wrynose and Hardknott Passes taking in Bowness, Ambleside, Great and Little Langdale, Eskdale and Birker Fell. A classic drive to be savoured at your leisure but perhaps not for the feint hearted.

Run 2019/03. Crooklands to Dent. A 45 mile circular scenic route to the village of Dent via Sedbergh and returning via Kirkby Lonsdale.

Morgans at Windermere 2018:

Note! All three of the 2018 runs start and finish at the Crooklands Hotel, Crooklands, LA7 7NW

Run 2018/01. The Ten Tea Shops Run. A 63 mile round trip taking in ten of the best tea shops in north Lancashire and south Cumbria. The route follows minor rural lanes for the majority of the way.

Run 2018/02. Nine Lakes and a Pass. A 120 mile run through the Lyth Valley and then past the southern end of Windermere and on to Coniston Water, Rydal Water, Thirlmere, Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake and then returning via Ullswater, Brothers Water and finally over the Kirkstone Pass to return to the Crooklands Hotel.

Run 2018/03. The Three Counties Tour. A 116 mile run which skirts Kendal and then heads north via Appleby-in-Westmorland to County Durham and the historic town of Barnard Castle with its 12th century fortress. The return journey is over predominately open fell roads into west Yorkshire and through Hawes and past the Ribblehead viaduct to reach the Crooklands Hotel once again.

Morgans at Windermere 2017:

Note! All three of the runs start and finish at the Crooklands Hotel, Crooklands, LA7 7NW

Run 2017/01. The Furness Peninsula. A 74.4 mile run around the Furness Peninsular embracing the Lakeland Motor Museum at Backbarrow, Furness Abbey and the Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre at Conishead Priory.

Run 2017/02. An Alternative Dales Run. An 83.4 mile run through the lesser known Yorkshire dales of Barbondale, Dentdale, Widdale, Sleddale and Langstrothdale and the villages and towns of Kirkby Lonsdale, Dent, Barbon, Hawes and Kettlewell. The return route is on open fell roads across the Malham Tarn Estate.

Run 2017/03. Lowther Castle via Ullswater. A 76.6 mile round trip north on the old A6 roads to Lowther Castle near Penrith and return through the centre of the Lake District along the shores of Ullswater and over the Kirkstone Pass. There is an optional extension from Lowther north to visit the Solway Aviation Museum near Carlisle.

Miscellaneous runs:

Compiled by and reproduced with the permission of Pete Clarke, a member of Fellmog.

Run pc/01 - A 41 mile run through Sedbergh to Appleby-in-Westmorland with a return via the village of Orton.

Run pc/02 - A 99 mile round trip to Grassington via Hawes and Kettlewell with a return via Malham and Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

Run pc/03 - A 64 mile round trip to Williamson Park, Lancaster with a return via the Abbeystead Estate.

Run pc/04 - A 49 mile circular run to the village of Wray with a return via the attractive town of Kirkby Lonsdale.

Run pc/05 - A 99 mile run with a 76 mile alternative shorter version through the Forest of Bowland.

Run pc/06 - A 53 mile run around the southern edge of Morecambe Bay to visit the old port of Sunderland Point.

Run pc/07 - A 78 mile run to over the Bowland fells to Malham (for access on foot to Malham Cove and Malham Tarn).

Run pc/08 - A 73 mile round trip south to the port of Glasson Dock with a return via Kirkby Lonsdale.

Run pc/09 - A 60 mile run following the A6, the original 'Old North Road', over Shap Fell to Lowther Castle and returning via Orton.

Run pc/10 - A 126 mile run to Teesdale and the Pennines AONB via Kirkby Stephen and Brough returning through the Eden Valley via Alston. 

Run 9/3/3035 9th March - Crooklands to Gilpin Bridge