The Bob Graham Round: a Photographic Tour

An Overview of the Round

Fell runner heading away from Scafell Pike on (in my opinion) the toughest section of the BGR (June, 2022).

Map of the full first leg of the BGR, with the recommended line of attack.

So it got you! After years of running you somehow stumbled across the

Leg One - Section One

Moot Hall (Keswick) to Hawell Monument (base of Skiddaw)

Summits Gained: None

Overview: On this seb-section, we’re starting at the Moot Hall in Keswick (which is also your finish point for the full BGR) and heading out north to the Hawell Monument that marks the start of the proper climb up to the summit of Skiddaw. What fun!

This is a rather gentle section of the whole round which might feel a little odd given that you’re starting on roads, with people milling around, but this soon gives way to nice trails and gentle paths, that bring you up out of the town, around the foot of Latrigg with your first summit (Skiddaw) looming over you in the distance.

From the Moot Hall the line of attack I generally take is Station Road, that cuts through Upper Fitz Park and Lower Fitz Park, out past the large leisure centre (currently run by Better), then onto Brundholme Road, and then turning northwards onto Spooneygreen Lane.

From here on in it’s a simple pull up along the easy trail that cuts over the A66, and around the foot of Latrigg (368m). Avoid the temptation to head up this modest fell as it isn’t part of the BGR and you’ll likely lose time if you head up in this direction.

This route is actually part of the Cumbria Way so expect to find plenty of hikers here, but it is also the standard hiking path that brings you up to the Hawell Monument which marks the steep path up to the summit of Skiddaw.

There is, a small road (Gale Road) and car park that you’ll have to navigate towards the end of this section, which comes out of nowhere. But once this is gained you’re pretty much a minute or two from the endpoint of sub-section one of this leg of the BGR. With no technical ground covered and no problems that might impede navigation, there is little on this section of the BGR that should stop you from reaching the Hawell Monument in good order.

Image Gallery

1. Moot Hall (Copy)

Your starting point and end point on the BGR located in the heart of Kewswick (June, 2023).

2. Station Road Sign (Copy)

The least interesting image (ever), but this is your first important marker after you leave the Moot Hall (June, 2023).

3. Upper Fitz Park (Copy)

A pretty tranquil spot, but not for you! Keep on running along Station Road and maybe come back here the following day (June, 2023).

4. Keswick Leisure Centre (Copy)

At the end of Station Road, you’ll pass through the grounds of the gym on the way to gain access to Brundholme Road just behind it. In early summer of 2023 the place did look a little rundown and possibly about to shut down. Hence it might look a little different when you pass by (June, 2023).

5. Brundholme Roundabout (Copy)

Again, super dull but go left here as you emerge from the leisure centre car park (June, 2023).

6. Brundholme Road (Copy)

Carry on up along Brundholme Road (June, 2023).

7. Horses! (Copy)

Still on Brundholme Road here but this is your first proper view of your first summit as Skiddaw (931m) and Skiddaw Little Man (865m) loom into view, allowing you to get a fix on the first peak of 42. Just be sure to head to Skiddaw and not Skiddaw Little Man (June, 2023).

8. On to Spoony Green Lane (Copy)

The turning point to Spoony Green Lane and the start of some light trail running. It’s nice to get off the road and away from the traffic. Again, you can see the fells properly at this point (June, 2023).

9. Heading North (Copy)

As you head up Spoony Green Lane, you’ll likely find fell runners and hikers heading in both directions. This should serve to reassure you that you’re heading in the right direction…that and the fact that the landscape goes up too (June, 2023).

10 Over the Bridge (Copy)

Heading over the A66 here as you work your way north (June, 2023).

11. Go Left (Copy)

There are a number of points where the path forks left and right: stay left at each one and you’ll be just fine. It keeps you heading up towards Skiddaw and not to Latrigg (386m) which is the fell you’re skirting around while on this path.

12. Go Right (Copy)

The only exception is here. This point sometimes throws runners and hikers off a little. Not important if you’re slowly hiking, but on the BGR every second counts, so go right here and ignore the gate. You’re getting close to the car park a little further up now too (June, 2023).

13. Gentle Trail Running (Copy)

The path up toward Skiddaw is a largely gentle affair with little to worry about in terms of incline or difficulty. It’s also largely dry most of the year round too and rarely gets muddy (June, 2023).

14. End of the Path (Copy)

The path comes to an abrupt end here as you reach a small car park (June, 2023).

15. Under Skiddaw Car Park (Copy)

As you approach the end of Leg 1, Section 1 of the BGR you’ll quickly pass through the small car park at the base of Skiddaw. Just head along through past the cars and to a large gate at the end. This is pretty much the last sign of any cars you’ll see until the descent from Blencathra in a few hours’ time (June, 2023).

16. After the Car Park (Copy)

Once through the large gate, head along this track, through two more gates until you see the Hawell Monument up ahead, to the left (June, 2023).

17. The Last Gate (Copy)

Pretty much at the end of Section One now, head through the gate and go left towards the stone cross (June 2023).

18. At the Hawell Monument (Copy)

The Hawell Monument at the base of Skiddaw. This point marks the end of the more gentle trail paths as the route transitions into proper fell running terrain and a pretty steep incline on the way up to the first summit of the BGR. The monument is to three local shepards who bred Herwicks up on these small hills

19. Unnecessarily Dramatic (Copy)

An unnecessarily dramatic view of the Hawell Monument which serves no purpose at all here. But I like the image so here it is (taken on a previous run out on Skiddaw in June, 2022).

End of Leg One, Section One | Summits Gained = 0/42 (but at least you’re on the way)

Leg One - Section Two

Hawell Monument to Skiddaw Summit

Summits Gained: Skiddaw

Overview: Once you’ve found the Hawell Monument you’re away from Keswick, the road, the car park(s), but not necessarily people. Hikers and fell runners are likely to be with you on most of this second section of leg one, unless you’re setting off in the evening as is often the case on the Bob Graham Round (although I tend to favour a 7am start from Keswick…maybe I’m just odd).

From the Hawell Monument the path suddenly gets a good deal steeper as you begin the proper assent up to your first summit - that of Skiddaw. At 931m it is a considerable pull up from your location but one that is without any difficulty in terms of technical ground or navigation. It is merely a long-ish slog up good trail running ground.

Perhaps the only point at which you need to pay a good deal of attention is the approach to the fork in the road which (left) leads up to Skiddaw Little Man, or (right) around the base of the fell which avoids this summit. This fork comes at about the halfway point on this section but be sure to avoid the Skiddaw Little Man path and make a beeline for Skiddaw per se. Go right and through the gate, rather than left. See the images below for this. Other than this, you should cruise up this section without any trouble.

Skiddaw itself is the sixth highest peak in England and is exceptionally popular with fell walkers the year round, so be prepared to dodge the crowds here as you head up. That said, given the easy nature of the fell few will stop you to ask for directions or the like.

As you make your way up the long path you’ll begin to catch sight of your second and third peaks too - Great Calva and Blencathra. This should spur you on as seeing the fell tops come into view is often uplifting, but it will also become apparent that there is a good deal of descent and ascent to come given just how isolated and separate each fell of the first leg is relative to one another. Still you’re on the way to your first peak now!

1. Starting the Climb (Copy)

The path starts to become a bit steeper after leaving the Hawell Monument, it’s also a popular spot to see paragliders soaring above (June 2023).

2. First Gate (Copy)

On this section you’ll have a few gates in your way. As a rule, go through these and they will guide you to the summit (June 2023).

End of Leg One, Section Two | Summits Gained = 1/42 (first one is in the bag)

Leg One - Section Three

Skiddaw Summit to Great Calva

Summits Gained: Great Calva

Overview: Getting Skiddaw ticked off is a great feeling. It’s a tough slog up the path, especially the early section, but now you’re past the summit and looking eastwards, you can see your next target, Great Calva. A cone shaped modest summit that lies on the other side of the Cumbria Way, a path you’ll cross on the way up to your next target.

Now there’s no easy way to say this, but Great Calva is probably my least favourite fell on the whole BGR. In the summer months it is overgrown with heather which can easily slow your progress and I alway end up coming back home with plenty of insect bites. In the winter the approach is pretty boggy, almost swamp-like, but there’s little else to do other than simply pushing on. Still, it’s a small fell and you should be up and down here in no time at all.

In terms of navigation, and as you’ll in the images below, there’s really no problems at all. The one mishap that might befall you is the crossing point with the Cumbria Way where novice runners might unwittingly end up on this path for some time. To be clear, you simply want to cross the Cumbria Way, not head along it, as the map shows.

The one redeeming feature of Great Calva is its quiet nature. Very few hikers head up here so you’ll be free of the summer crowds and be able to run without any human obstacles to navigate. That lack of popularity however, tells you something about the fell: if I were writing a proper Trip Advisor review of Great Calva it would probably be called, ‘I did this one so you don’t have to.’ Still, it’s pretty nice to get this one out of the way so early on in the round. Enjoy!

End of Leg One, Section Three | Summits Gained = 2/42 (at least Great Calva is out of the way)

Leg One - Section Four

Great Calva to Blencathra

Summits Gained: Blencathra

Overview:

Leg One