Outstanding Running Routes

Running is a perfect way to explore the beautiful and varied landscape of the UK, offering the opportunity enjoy stunning scenery and local places of interest while keeping to your training schedule.

So, we've assembled a collection of oustanding running routes across the UK to help you discover great new places to run.

All our recommended routes have been run by us and have detailed Route Guides with large-scale maps and directions, so you can go out and explore with confidence.

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We identify potential running routes through research, local knowledge and recommendations from Members. Each one is then run and checked against our Quality Standards to make sure that it is interesting and suitable for running.

	suitable terrain for running
	attractive or interesting scenery
	reasonably easy to follow
	well described
	accurately mapped with good directions
	not hazardous
	different from other local routes
	circular route if possible

Our Route Guides provide all the information you should need to find and run our routes, including:
Run Guide	General information for running the route including a description of the route, address of the start, local amenities and parking advice, route statistics and things to look out for.
Large-scale Map	Our maps are typically about 1:15,000 in scale, much larger than a 1:25,000 OS Explorer map. They are custom produced with running in mind.
Directions	Written directions for following the route with personalised timings based on distance and hills.
Hill Profile	A chart showing the profile of the hills you can expect along the route.
Fly Through	A 3D video of the route using aerial photograhy.

To produce our Guides we follow a 6 stage process

RESEARCH	Our focus is on finding qood suitable routes that are both interesting and easy to follow.
ROUTE SURVEY	Routes are run at least once to carry out a detailed GPS survey. Notes and photos are taken during the run for use later.
DATA PROCESSING	The GPS recording is compressed to remove redundant points and the Hill Profile is generated from NASA topography data.
MAPPING & DIRECTIONS	Cartography software is used to produce the map, using the GPS recording and notes taken during the run. Directions are also added.
VIDEO RECORDING	The video Fly-Through is generated, recorded and compressed to downloadable size.
EDITING & PUBLISHING	Final details researched, pictures and text are edited and then the Guide is published.

A few tips for a safe and enjoyable run

1	Look through all the information available before setting off.
2	You can get driving directions to the start of the Route from the Route Overview page.
3	Wear running shoes suitable for the terrain and weather. Bear in mind that routes surveyed in the Summer may be more muddy at other times of the year!
4	Read our Running Advice article on Running Safety - if you are exploring somewhere new and remote it may be an idea to run with a friend.
5	Allow plenty of time for running a new route so you can read the map carefully and enjoy the surroundings.
6	Take the Route Directions as well as the map as they may have additional information about key turnings.

In addition to our own Route Guides, we also publish selected Routes recommended by Members and local Running Clubs.

MEMBER ROUTE

This symbol signifies a route recommended by a Good Run Guide Member. It is impractical for us to run and check all these routes but we do review every one before it is published. They all have an on-screen map and sufficient directions that should enable you to follow them. Some also have a Route Buddy (select Route Buddy Scheme for more information).

We sometimes ask Members to help us out with checking these routes. If you would like to become a Route Checker in your local area please get in touch.

CLUB ROUTE

These are usually training routes used by local Running Clubs. Contact details are available on the site if you want to get in touch with the Club. Route Guides are not available for these routes but they do have an on-screen map.

ROUTE BUDDY SCHEME

If you're worried about getting lost or would like some company while trying out a new route, our Route Buddy Scheme is here to help! The Scheme has been set up to put Members in touch with other Members who have kindly offered to acts as guides to show people around routes they have suggested.

Where a Route Buddy is available, this logo will be displayed on the Route Overview page. You can contact the Route Buddy using our Contact Form and arrange a mutually convenient time to do the run. To learn more click now.

NOTE: Route Buddy Scheme is available to Full Members and applies to selected Member Routes only.

ABOUT OUR ROUTE GUIDES

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FEATURED ROUTE OF THE MONTH

Durdle Door Loop