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The Bowland Dozen                                                  Pennines   

Hazelhurst Fell trig point with Fair Snape Fell and Parlick on the skyline (Michael Graham)
© Copyright Michael Graham and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence )

This circuit links all 12 trig points with a height of 400 metres or more to form a tour of the Bowland massif.  Much of Bowland has been, by tradition, a secret, forbidden land and ironically this has, perhaps, helped to preserve one of England’s last great wilderness areas.  On a clear day there are outstanding panoramas in every direction, not least towards Morecambe Bay, to the west, and the Three Peaks country, to the north.  The other main features are close at hand – mile upon mile of peat, heather, bog, tussock and fence, not to mention the occasional sheep!  As the long traverse from Clougha Pike to Knottend will show, few areas in England can offer such vast tracts of unrelenting, bleak, rugged terrain!  


The route was conceived by Tony Wimbush and inspired by the ‘Dig the Peat’ series of challenges devised by Bowland Fell Runners.  It was first completed in 2008 as a solo, self-supported run in 12 hours 35 minutes.  At some 50 miles with 6500’ of ascent it is one the most demanding outings in the Bowland area..

Route

The start and finish  is the village of Dunsop Bridge (the road bridge at GR 659 501) and it visits the 12 trig points listed below.  The eagle-eyed may spot a 13th trig at Burn Moor (402 m, GR 695 646). This is excluded as it is considered to be an outlier to the main Bowland massif which detracts from the route but there is the option of including it to make a Bowland Baker’s Dozen!  The circuit may be completed in either direction or from an alternative start point.

OS Explorer map: Use OL41 - The Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale

Schedule

Click icon to view/print a 12-35 schedule for the inaugural run in 2008.

Finishers

This is an informal challenge without registrations or time limits. Why not share your experience on facebook to encourage and inspire other runners to have a go!

 

Links and Further Information

Enquiries and reports  -  email Tony Wimbush:  gofar99@gmail.com

 

 

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wland Dozen
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Tan Hill to Kirkstone Pass Inn
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Upper Calder 13 Trigs
Wainwright 7 Summits

Wainwrights 30@30

Wicklow  Round
Yorkshire Round
Yorkshire 2000’s

 

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Links & Articles

Sub-ultras (under 50 km)

COMPLETIONS

Where there is a recorder please contact them to log your completion. In addition, or if there isn't a recorder, you are invited to share your experience on the gofar facebook page to encourage and inspire other runners to have a go!

SAFETY WARNING

 

All the routes on this site require proven mountain running experience. You undertake them entirely at your own risk. Please take full mountain safety precautions at all times.  Always ensure you carry sufficient clothing, food and equipment to cope with dramatic changes in the weather conditions!  Appropriate insurance cover is recommended.

HAVE A GO!

The object of this website is to provide a single, ready source of information on the ultra-distance mountain challenges which have been developed over the past four or more decades. It now offers a diverse range of long and "short", old and recent, formal and informal routes from around the UK to encourage runners of all ages and abilities to have a go, subject to proven mountain experience in all conditions.

FRA LONG DISTANCE

RECORDS and NEWS

 

Please send details of any record-breaking runs and the like to Martin Stone who maintains records on behalf of the Fell Runners Association. Email:  martin.stone@sportident.co.uk

Please also refer to the guidelines and definitions in the FRA Handbook.

HELP WANTED

If you can improve on the accuracy of this resource, spot any errors in grid references, names, heights, spelling or punctuation, or find a link which does not work please email Tony Wimbush.: gofar99@gmail.com

Similarly, if you wish to submit any new (or old) routes for inclusion see the contact page for the information and format that is required:. 

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