We’re thrilled to announce that we are revamping the courses for the 2023 Great Lakeland 3Day. This will include an exciting new ‘Adventure‘ course, which will allow participants to choose their own route visiting any of the checkpoints. This brilliant new development to the classic Great Lakeland 3Day event means participants will have even more flexibility to choose the course that suits them. Plus, as with previous editions, you can swap between courses on different days depending on how you feel.

Here is a run down of the courses on offer in 2023:

Café

Daily average: ~17km / ~650m

3-day total: ~50km / max. ~2000m

This is similar to the ‘Café’ course you know and love from previous years, now with slightly shorter days to make it even more achievable. Enjoy exploring the stunning Lake District at your own pace, and visit some top cafés and pubs along the way.

*Go an a great adventure and stop at some great cafés along the way ©Steve Ashworth*

Herdwick

Daily average: ~22km / ~1100m

3-day total: ~65km / [~3000-3500m]

Named after the iconic sheep that roam the Lake District Fells, this brand new course is longer than the Café course, but not as challenging physically or navigationally as the Wainwright. It’s perfect if you’re looking to step up to a longer running challenge through some beautiful landscapes.

*The Herdwick course is an excellent stepping stone to more challenging courses ©Steve Ashworth*

Wainwright

Daily average: ~27km / ~1800m

3-day total: ~80km / [~5000-5500m]

This course covers a similar distance to the former ‘Wainwright Short’ course, but it’s been renamed because it’s certainly not short. Designed to take you to the best Wainwright summits in the area, it’s a fantastic weekend out for anyone looking for an adventure.

*How many Wainwrights will you summit? ©Steve Ashworth*

Fellrunner

Daily average: ~33km / ~2400m

3-day total: ~100km / [~7000-7500m]

Approximately equivalent to the former ‘Wainwright Long’ course, the ‘Fellrunner’ course is a great challenge for those looking to explore some remote parts of the Lake District. The distance and height gain make this a tough course, but the views will be ample reward.

*The ‘Fellrunner’ course is an awesome challenge ©Steve Ashworth*

Extreme

Daily average: ~40km / ~2900m

3-day total: ~120km / [~8000-9000m]

Similar in distance and height gain to the former ‘Expert’ course, the ‘Extreme’ course is for those looking for a real challenge. Not for novices, the ‘Extreme’ course is perfect for those wanting to push themselves to their limits, while taking them to the most beautiful parts of the Lake District.

Adventure

Daily average: You choose!

Perhaps the most exciting addition this year, on this course, you really can choose your own adventure. Visit whichever checkpoints you want each day, and see how many different ones you can visit in total over the weekend. Walk/run for as long as you want and make up your own route!