After an initial run along the valley, the route climbs steeply to Wetherlam, then down to Prison Band and up to the summit of Swirl How.
The course then drops to the Three Shire Stone at the top of the Wrynose Pass, the meeting point of the historic counties of Cumberland, Lancashire and Westmorland.
An ascent of Pike of Blisco follows, then the route drops to Blea Tarn before the final climb to Lingmoor Fell and descent to the finish.
[6] The Three Shires has been one of the counting races in the English Fell Running Championships, including the 1993 edition.
[7] In 1997 it was again an English Championships counter as well as a home international with England winning the team race, followed by Scotland and then Wales.