Trail runs

The hills, forests and fields of Britain are covered in an intricate web of trails, allowing you to explore the great outdoors while steering clear of towns and belching traffic. 

Any off-road path or bridleway falls under the umbrella of trail running, which means you don't need to travel to northernmost Scotland to experience this popular type of running (though you very much can, of course). The beauty of trail running is that it's all about getting off the beaten path and exploring, whether you're in the remote fells or are following a canal in the West Midlands.

One of the most attractive parts of trail running is that the surfaces you run on are not flat and smooth - you need to watch your feet, keeping an eye out for tree roots, stones and quick changes in ascent/descent. This means a couple of things: if you're hunting a 10K PB, then trail running is not going to help too much; but if you're more interested in immersing yourself in the great outdoors, this kind of running is unbeatable.

Trail running events follow the same rough format as regular runs, offering 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, marathons and ultra marathons. These range from the Richmond Runfest Sunday Family Mile to the 100K Thames Path Challenge, with a everything in between.

If you're interested in getting into trail running, we'd recommend leaving your fitness tracker at home and just enjoy being in the great outdoors - the sensory experience is much richer than running on roads, so immerse yourself in it!

FAQs

Do you need trail running shoes?

Running off-road is all about getting into the great outdoors and exploring wild places, so the ground underfoot will very quickly become uneven and slippery, especially in winter - so yes, you do need trail running shoes! If you need some advice, check out our complete guide to trail running shoes.

How do I find trails near me?

To discover local trails, it's usually a good idea to head to a clear geographical feature, like a river or forest. There are plenty of apps and maps to use, too, including our own interactive map that you can find across the site - as well as listing local events and clubs, these feature popular trails. If you want to explore somewhere epic, take a look at our top picks.

What are the best trail events in the UK?

There is a huge range of trail runs across the UK, including both multi-day ultra runs like the Montane Dragon's Back Race - traversing the length of Wales across its highest peaks - to calmer but invigorating 10K races, like Run Sandringham in Norfolk. You can use our advanced search to find trail races near you and in specific times of the year!

Is trail running for beginners?

Absolutely! At its heart, trail running is not about achieving PBs or setting records - it's about experiencing wild places in an authentic, grounded way, where you can see, hear, smell and feel nature around you. Whether you want to explore local trails or head into the great outdoors for a multi-day trip, trail running is for you. If you want some more inspiration to getting out there, check out our beginner's guide to running off-road.