Full Boundary, Half Boundary & Minibeat Options
Date: Saturday 4th July 2026 (the first Saturday in July, as is tradition).
Start / Finish: Patterdale School, Ullswater, CA11 0NL
Donate if you can't join in – the event raises funds for Patterdale School
In the footsteps of the boys of Patterdale Parish, who traditionally 'Beat The Bounds': A glorious journey along the Patterdale Parish Boundary, with up to 20 summits – run, hike or jog 28 miles (full boundary), 16 miles (first half), 12 miles (second half), or 6 miles (mini-beat). It's fun, quirky and a magnificent route in all weathers. Participants have some points to hit along the way on the Parish Boundary itself (see route below).
Join a 45-year-old tradition in the Ullswater Valley, along with locals and regular visitors to 'Beat the Bounds' of the Patterdale Parish Boundary, following the Parish Bounds as closely as possible.
​The Full Parish Boundary, (including the Ullswater lake crossing – which is not part of this event!) is almost 30 miles long, with approximately 10,200 feet of ascent, taking in many famous Lakeland fells and landmarks including Raise, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Dollywaggon Pike, Grisedale Tarn, Fairfield, Red Screes, Kirkstone Pass, High Street, Angle Tarn and Place Fell. On a good day there are stupendous views throughout the length of the walk. Think of it as a high-level companion to the Ullswater Way! There is, of course, a little twist in the route to follow the ‘actual’ parish boundary on the OS map… so your navigation skills will be put to good use!
Bespoke waterproof maps are be available to purchase and be posted out to you in advance of the event on request.
The record time to complete the full route is: 5 hours 56 minutes.
Event options & routes
Full Boundary Event:
28 miles and 10,200ft ascent [route & gpx]
Start times for 2025: 5:30am-9am rolling start
Checkpoint: Kirkstone Pass (cut off: 3pm) snacks (sweet and savoury), VOOM Nutrition (bars and hydration), hot and cold drinks. Our community are kindly organising and staffing the checkpoint. Other goodies for participants (free) and spectators (to purchase) will be in abundance!
1st (toughest!) Half-Boundary Event (Patterdale School to Kirkstone Top):
16 miles and 6,500 ft ascent - the tougher of the two halves [route & gpx]
Start: Patterdale School 5:30am-9am. Course closes at Kirkstone Pass at 3pm
Public transport from Kirkstone Pass back to Patterdale School runs hourly (subject to change in 2025 timetable). Or you may of course walk back downhill to the valley.
2nd Half-Boundary Event (top of Kirkstone Pass to Patterdale):
12 miles and 3,700 ft ascent [route & gpx]
Start: Kirkstone Pass Summit 11am-3pm
Public transport is available from Patterdale School to the top of Kirkstone Pass for your start
Family Mini-beat (Walk / Downhill Run):
6 miles via Hartsop Hall, downhill! [route & gpx]
Start: Kirkstone Pass Summit 12-3pm
Public transport is available from Patterdale School to the top of Kirkstone Pass for your start
A rolling start means you will be able to start between the suggested start times above, at your leisure
More details
The fastest known times to complete the full route (from 2024) are: Male: Bobby Gard-Storry 5 hours, 53 minutes, 31 seconds. Female: Karen Nash 8 hours, 28 minutes, 50 seconds.
The fastest known times to complete the 2nd half are: Male: Adam Knodwell 3 hours, 6 minutes, 35 seconds. Female: Angela Wilson 3 hours, 6 minutes, 41 seconds.
You will be provided with a tracker, which not only gives us reassurance of your location and safety, but also enables the organisers to ensure you have ticked off a few strategic points along the route – even more reason to make sure your navigation skills are spot on. The strategic points will not necessarily be mountain summits – we will be watching, which is half the fun of this event! After all it's the Parish Boundary, not a route only following the trails.
Family and friends are welcome to Kirkstone Top to cheer you on. Why not suggest they take part in the mini-beat? This is a downhill, 6-mile treasure hunt for families / friends: £10 per family, individuals £5 (local families walk for free). Please enter online to help us gauge numbers, or you can still enter on the day (the mini-beat only). This route starts from Kirkstone Pass to finish at Patterdale School.
You will be sent participant information, plus a detailed route description, by email during lead-up to the event. The GPX routes are also available, see below.
Traditionally the event has been a walking event and has been conducted to raise funds for Patterdale Church of England School (the second most remote school in England), which could not survive financially without generous donations from fundraising events. (They need to raise £17,000 per annum in order to stay open.) The event also raises funds for the ministry and work of St Patrick's Church, Patterdale. It has become a local tradition to 'Beat the Bounds', since it was established 45 years ago by Stephen Gorton – a resident of Hartsop, a long-standing member of the church congregation and a founder member of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team.
This event has historically been a free event where folk raised money in the form of a sponsored walk independently, and can obviously still continue to do so. Confirmation of how to donate your fundraising will be given to all those partaking in the event, and there is an option to donate additional funds when you enter via Si-Entries.
Your entry fee will include: warm welcome before you start; tracker fitted to your pack; bespoke race number; Kirkstone checkpoint food & drinks; finishers' soup & cake.
Cut-off times will be applied at Kirkstone Pass and Boredale Hause (on the 2nd half) to ensure the safe return of all participants to the valley.
To make sure this all happens safely and smoothly, Nicky will organise the event with her experienced event team, first aiders and event volunteers for many years to come. We hope that the volunteers from the valley and community will also remain highly involved. It is for these reasons that there is now a charge for this event.
There will 100% discount for residents of the Patterdale Parish. The discount code will be circulated around the parish and is available by emailing nicola@hikinghighs.co.uk.
We would like to thank VOOM Nutrition for supporting this event with a supply of hydration and energy along the way for hikers and runners at Kirkstone Top.
Please be advised there is a no refund policy for this event. If you cannot participate and have already entered, please let us know as we pay for each tracker ordered. Your entry fee will be considered a donation to Patterdale C of E Primary School and St Patrick's Church, Patterdale – equally split.
Route
View and download GPX from plotaroute site (tip: download as track)
- Full – Patterdale Parish Boundary event
- 1st Half – Patterdale Parish Boundary
- 2nd Half – Patterdale Parish Boundary
- 6 miler – Mini-beat Route
Book your place (via Si-entries) by Saturday 28th June 2025
Full Boundary: £38
1st Half or 2nd Half Boundary: £28
Mini-beat 6-miler: £10 per family, £5 for individuals
FREE for Locals
(contact nicola@hikinghighs.co.uk for discount code)
10% discount codes available for local running and hiking clubs by arrangement: contact nicola@hikinghighs.co.uk for codes already set up, or if you wish to have your group included for a code.
Stephen Gorton – founder of the event
The route follows the Patterdale Parish Boundary – taking in some classic summits with wonderful views throughout