ONE of the UK’s fastest-growing fitness activities is proving to be a hot ticket for one of the Lake District’s favourite trail run events.

Nordic Walking, where walkers use two poles to tone the upper and lower body at the same time, has seen entries sky-rocket at the Grasmere Gallop sports event.

Since 2012, entries to the 10km Nordic Walk trail have risen by 300 per cent, from 33 in 2012 to 110 in 2015.

Dave Almond, National Trust manager for Grasmere and Allan Bank, said: “Every year we get more people signing up for the regular 10km & 17km Grasmere Gallop trails, but Nordic Walking is striding ahead.

“It’s a sport that’s been growing in the UK since the 1980s, but as more people take it up, it looks like they really want to enjoy it here in the heart of the Lakes.”

Nordic Walking was originally developed by Finnish skiers in the 1930s, as an out-of-season training tool.

The Grasmere Gallop event, which features two trail runs, a Fun Run, Nordic Walking, as well as a Teddy Run for under-fives, has been run by the National Trust since 2011. Previously run by the local community, entry fees are reinvested into local conservation projects.

This year’s event takes place on June 6. Find out more, or register to take part at: http://www.grasmeregallop.co.uk/