Uphill, Into the Mist: Learning to Fell Run from Kirkbymoorside

Fell running has a reputation problem. Say the words out loud and people picture wiry men in tiny shorts bounding through peat hags in horizontal rain. Around Kirkbymoorside, the reality can be much friendlier. The town sits right at the edge of the North York Moors, which means you can be on field paths, lanes and moorland edges within minutes of the market square. You do not need to be a mountain goat. You need a pair of shoes with some grip, a rough plan and the good sense to turn round when the cloud comes down.

This is not a training manual. It is an invitation to try something between a walk and a proper run: a jog-walk up a hill, a shuffle across a field, an excuse to get muddy before lunch. If you already walk the moors, fell running is simply a different gear.

Start small, stay low

The best first fell run is short, close to town and easy to bail out of. Leave the big moor crossings for later. Pick a route you could walk comfortably in an hour, then alternate running and walking. Run the flat bits and the gentle downs. Walk the climbs. Nobody is marking you. The point is time on your feet, not a Strava trophy.

It also helps to recce the route on foot first. Footpaths around Kirkbymoorside can be muddy, rutted or faint in places, especially after wet weather. Knowing where the gate is, or which field corner to aim for, makes the run far less faffy.

Three starter routes

The Gillamoor rise. From the town, head west and pick up the field paths and lanes towards Gillamoor. It is a steady climb rather than a savage one, and you can return the same way or make a small loop if you have a map. Roughly three to four miles, depending on where you start. Good for practising run-walk rhythm without committing to open moor.

Fadmoor and back. A rolling circuit out through lanes and field paths towards Fadmoor, with options to extend towards Gillamoor if you are feeling sprightly. Around four to five miles. It is the sort of route where the hills keep coming gently, so you learn to pace yourself rather than sprint off and regret it.

Cockayne and the Bransdale edge. This one needs a short drive, so save it for a day when you have time and the forecast is not doing anything dramatic. Park considerately, then follow tracks and paths towards the Bransdale fringe. Three to four miles out and back is plenty for a first taste of more open country. Check the map before you go; the moor edge can feel bigger than it looks.

Kit that earns its place

You do not need much, but what you carry matters. Grippy fell shoes or aggressive trail shoes are the single best upgrade. Road trainers will survive a dry field path; they will not enjoy wet grass, heather or a muddy descent.

Wear layers you can move in, not cotton. A light waterproof shell should live in your pack even when the sky looks innocent. Add a hat, gloves and a warm layer for the top half of the year when the wind has a bite. Carry a phone, but do not rely on it. A paper map or offline map, a whistle, a foil emergency blanket, water and a snack are sensible basics. Leave the headphones at home for your first few outings. You want to hear traffic on lanes, livestock in fields and other people on the path.

Read the weather twice

Moorland weather changes faster than a town forecast suggests. Check the Met Office before you leave, then look at the sky again from the edge of town. If cloud is sitting low on the tops, stay low. If the wind is strong enough to lean on, pick a sheltered lane route instead. In November, the light goes early, so an afternoon run needs a realistic turnaround time. Take a headtorch if there is any chance you will be out later than planned.

Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. It sounds fussy. It is not. A simple text to a friend is enough.

Gates, sheep and fragile ground

This is the part that matters most. Close every gate you open, unless it is clearly meant to stay open. Give sheep plenty of room, especially in lambing season. Do not run between a ewe and her lambs. Keep dogs on leads around livestock and follow any local signs. If cattle are in a field, give them a wide berth and walk calmly; do not run towards them or try to shoo them.

Stay on the path where the ground is fragile. Peat, heather and wet grassland can be damaged by cut-throughs and wide lines of footprints. Mud is part of the deal. Erosion is not. If a path is badly boggy, accept wet feet or choose another route rather than widening the mess.

The local etiquette bit

Say hello. Give way to walkers, horse riders and anyone who looks less steady on their feet than you. On narrow lanes, keep left and be visible. Park so that farm vehicles and residents can still get past. Take your litter home, including the gel wrappers and the bit of flapjack that falls out of your pocket.

And do not treat the moor as a gym. It is a working landscape and a fragile one. The pleasure of running here comes partly from fitting in quietly.

Where to land afterwards

A muddy run deserves a proper finish. The King's Head in Kirkbymoorside is a solid shout for a pint and a bit of warmth. The Royal Oak is another good town-centre option for food and a sit-down. If you have been out towards Bransdale or Blakey Ridge, the Lion Inn is the classic moorland pub stop, though check its opening times before you build your day around it.

For something softer, the cafés around Kirkbymoorside square will sort you out with coffee and cake. Muddy shoes off, jacket on the back of the chair, and the smug feeling of having done something with the morning.

Final word

Fell running is mostly walking with optimism. Around Kirkbymoorside, you can start on the lanes, graduate to field paths and save the open moor for a clear, calm day. Go short, go slow, close the gates and leave room for the sheep. The hills will still be there next week.