Running and triathlon
Derwent Water and the Borrowdale valley are really exciting locations for training and racing. The varied terrain allows for lots of different types of training (and consequently many types of footwear!), and there are events and races almost every weekend. We have only included the most local information here.
Fell running
Just run straight out of the hostel, up the waterfall path! The fells behind the hostel, to the east, are quiet and boggy: perfect for a cushioned run with panoramic views of the Helvellyn, Skiddaw, and Borrowdale ranges. Our staff regularly enjoy the circuit between Ashness Bridge, High Seat, and Bleaberry Fell. Please ask if you want any advice: there are so many route options that we can talk about!
Robert Graham, better known as Bob Graham, ran Barrow House as a guest house from 1943 to 1961. You may well have heard of, attempted, supported, or completed the fell-running challenge that commemorates this remarkable man: the Bob Graham Round (BGR). This challenge takes inspiration from the 42 peak circuit that Bob Graham completed in under 24 hours: starting and finishing in Keswick, the BGR really is the local 'circular' from Barrow House! Derwentwater Independent Hostel is a great place to prepare for the BGR, and we look forward to sharing our fell-running heritage with you.
Trail running
Just run straight down the Derwentwater Independent Hostel driveway, onto the lake-shore path! Apart from the tarmac section through Portinscale and Keswick, the path stays pretty close to the lake-shore all the way round Derwent Water. This flat circuit is about 9 miles. Sometimes parts of the path are flooded - you can either splash through the water or do some extra miles in diversion!
The most local woodland trails are in Great Wood. Turn right at the bottom of our driveway (towards Keswick) and run along the road-side path. In less than a mile you will see the entrance to Great Wood on your right.
There are lots of other trails in the area - please ask if you want some advice.
Click here to find out about the High Terrain Events trail running weekends that are held throughout the year.
Road running
We are lucky to have some great road races which pass by our grounds: the popular Derwentwater 10 in November, and the Keswick Half Marathon in May.
Unless you are in an organised race, we do not recommend trying to run on the Borrowdale Road for long stretches. However, the nearby Newlands Valley, St John's in the Vale, and the west side of Thirlemere have some quieter country lanes.
The nearest Parkruns are Keswick, Workington, Penrith, and Carlisle.
Triathlon and all the other combinations of running, swimming, and cycling!
Several triathlon clubs have stayed with us, taking advantage of direct access to the lake, secure bike storage, healthy home-made meals, a great choice of cycling routes, and a large drying room. Taking care not to get in the way of cars or guests, you can also practice transitions in our grounds.
The town of Keswick (4km from the hostel) has two bike shops and a basic swimming pool.
Derwent Water is a fantastic lake for open-water swimming - you can simply walk out of the hostel in your wetsuit (or non-wetsuit attire for the hardy!) and swim from the bay at the bottom of our driveway. Just be wary of the Keswick Launch, which crosses the bay to Ashness Jetty.
The nearest open-water alternatives are Buttermere and Bassenthwaite Lake. With its easily accessible lake-shore path, Buttermere has plenty of good entry points. In contrast, Bassenthwaite is more tricky. For Bassenthwaite, we recommend taking the footpath down the side of Mirehouse, to Scarness Point.
Keswick Triathlon, Buttermere Triathlon, and Bassenthwaite Triathlon provide the opportunity to race in all three of our local lakes!
High Terrain Events organise several multi-sport events in the area.
Orienteering and adventure racing
Orienteering is very popular in Cumbria. We have a small orienteering course in the hostel grounds (suitable for children), but you can find lots more orienteering opportunities on the Lakes-o website.
Derwentwater Independent Hostel is the perfect location for adventure race training: you can launch kayaks at the bottom of our driveway, cycle on and off road, find lots of mud on the Ashness Fells, do good linear routes into other valleys and get the bus back, wash everything down with our outside tap and washing machine, and take part in numerous challenging local events.
Events
There are so many events! We have not listed them all here, but we have highlighted some of our staff favourites. We also recommend looking at High Terrain Events, Lakeland Trails, and Keswick AC.
Lorton 10km in March: road race, raising money for Lorton Village School. Quiet country lanes around the village of Lorton, between Buttermere and Cockermouth.
Keswick Half Marathon in May: organised by Keswick Rugby Football Club. Route: Portinscale - Swinside - Skelgill - Manesty - Grange - Keswick.
Keswick Mountain Festival in May: lots of races, talks, and have-a-go events.
Round Latrigg in August: a very friendly evening trail race, organised by Keswick AC.
Skiddaw in August: 9 mile trail/fell race organised by Keswick AC. From Fitz Park to the Skiddaw Man summit and back (same route out and back).
Keswick Triathlon in June: swim in Derwent Water and wave to the hostel!
Buttermere Triathlon: one of the High Terrain Events races
Derwentwater 10 in November: popular road race, organised by Keswick AC. Route: Keswick - Borrowdale Road to Grange - Manesty - Portinscale - Keswick.