Derbyshire Dales Trail Run.
On its longest course the Derbyshire Dales Trail Run takes you over a little more than 400 metres of climbing in the Peak District, starting and finishing at Bakewell Showground. For ten kilometres the loop stays gentle, then two serious climbs arrive in close succession, and that second half is what your preparation has to target.
Derbyshire Dales Trail Run 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
From the showground it stays almost level for a little over a kilometre, then the course rises steadily for nearly two. At just over four per cent this first climb is comfortably runnable, and it tops out around 200 metres. Beyond it the trail drops quickly, and from kilometre 4.5 to almost kilometre 10 you are down in the valley, with only small rollers to break the rhythm.
The second half is a different job. At kilometre 10.2 the longest climb begins, 2.3 km at close to seven per cent on average, lifting you to about 280 metres. You then give height back slowly until the last ascent into Manners Wood starts at kilometre 15.3. It lasts only a kilometre, yet its steepest stretch reaches almost 13 per cent. From the highest point of the loop the course falls over 2.5 km back to the valley, and the final two kilometres into Bakewell only roll gently.
The whole day sits inside the Peak District National Park, on trails and through open country, over varied terrain on a marked route. Around Bakewell, the Monsal Trail, the River Derwent, Chatsworth House and Edensor shape this part of the park.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.2 | 1.9 km | 4.2 % | 9.4 % | +79 m | — |
| km 6.4 | 0.5 km | 4.3 % | 5.5 % | +22 m | — |
| km 9.5 | 0.4 km | 5.3 % | 7 % | +19 m | — |
| km 10.2 | 2.3 km | 6.8 % | 11.5 % | +156 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 15.3 | 1 km | 7.6 % | 12.9 % | +78 m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Derbyshire Dales Trail Run.
Start under control
Treat this race as two halves with very different briefs. The first ten kilometres hold less than a third of the climbing, and their long valley stretch almost runs itself. Keep to a pace at which you could still talk there, even when more seems available.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 10 and 16.5. The two big climbs account for more than half of all the ascent, and the section between them trends down without being a true rest. Take the long first climb evenly, use the falling ground afterwards to eat and drink, and save your hardest effort for the short, steep final ascent. Walking there costs little if you are back to running the moment it eases.
Spend what is left
The trap is the flat valley from kilometre 5 to 9: try to bank time there and you pay with walking from kilometre 11. The second trap is the descent from kilometre 16.5, because running it flat out after two climbs leaves no quads for the rolling last kilometres.
Training plan for Derbyshire Dales Trail Run: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners should expect roughly 2:15 to 3:30 hours out here. The race starts as a calm aerobic run and turns, in its second half, into sustained hill strength with short spikes above threshold.
Train race pace
That order is the core of your preparation. Put the hills at the end of your long runs: 90 minutes to two hours easy, then two 15-minute efforts uphill at a firm pace. This teaches you what the climb at kilometre 10 asks of legs that are already tired. Give a second weekly session to short, steep repeats of two to four minutes that mirror the ascent into Manners Wood, including the switch from walking back to running.
Rehearse the course
Practise descending under fatigue as well. About 2.5 km of falling ground comes only after the high point, and quad durability there decides whether you are still running the closing kilometres. Long downhills at the end of a hill session and regular leg strength work prepare you best.
Arrive fresh
Because the ground shifts between trails and open country, much of your long running belongs off road, in the shoes you will race in. With the race in mid-September, the key build falls in summer. Use your long runs to test what you will take at the stations too, since the decisive kilometres sit late in the race.
Courses
Download the Derbyshire Dales Trail Run course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Derbyshire Dales Trail Run dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Derbyshire Dales Trail Run.
How long is Derbyshire Dales Trail Run?
Derbyshire Dales Trail Run is 21.5 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Derbyshire Dales Trail Run have?
Derbyshire Dales Trail Run has around 425 m of elevation gain over 21.5 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Derbyshire Dales Trail Run?
Derbyshire Dales Trail Run is classified as Hilly, averaging 19.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 26% of the route is flat, 30% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 7% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Derbyshire Dales Trail Run have?
The hardest climb of Derbyshire Dales Trail Run starts at kilometre 10.2, runs for 2.3 km at an average of 6.8% and gains 156 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 5 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Derbyshire Dales Trail Run a loop course?
Yes, Derbyshire Dales Trail Run is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Derbyshire Dales Trail Run course?
Yes. The Derbyshire Dales Trail Run course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Derbyshire Dales Trail Run?
Preparation for Derbyshire Dales Trail Run should account for 21.5 km, 425 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Derbyshire Dales Trail Run?
The pacing strategy for Derbyshire Dales Trail Run should reflect 21.5 km, 425 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Derbyshire Dales Trail Run take place?
Derbyshire Dales Trail Run takes place on September 12, 2027.
Where does Derbyshire Dales Trail Run take place?
Derbyshire Dales Trail Run takes place in Bakewell, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Derbyshire Dales Trail Run offer?
Derbyshire Dales Trail Run offers 3 distances — 21.5K: 21.5 km; 15K: 15 km; 10.1K: 10.1 km.
How do I register for Derbyshire Dales Trail Run?
Registration runs through the organiser: ukrunningevents.co.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
