Running
Running wild
Whether you’re an experienced long-distance runner or someone who simply loves a steady jog, you’ll relish discovering the astonishing landscapes and nature the National Parks have to offer.
From loch shore to coastline, forest or mountain, there are a multitude of breathtaking landscapes and trails to enjoy while out running. Home to some of the most beautiful running routes in the UK, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding where your next trail will be.
Our Favourites
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs , Discover (opens in a new tab)
From the tranquil lochs to the challenging mountain terrains, there’s a route to challenge all abilities whilst offering stunning views of the landscape. You could even try running a stretch of one of the long distance trails which pass through the area including the West Highland Way, Rob Roy Way or the Three Lochs Way. Click here to discover popular routes.
North York Moors , Discover (opens in a new tab)
Whether you've just bought your first pair of trainers, or have 1000's of miles under foot, Dalby Forest has a wealth of trails for all runners. You can choose from a number of way marked running routes that range from 1km to 10km and explore this stunning forest at your own pace.
Northumberland , Discover (opens in a new tab)
The Park boasts trails which offer spectacular views and a variety of challenges to inspire runners of all levels. Fell running offers a specialised type of long-distance running over rough and rugged terrain. Runners cross moorland, rocky paths and steep hillsides. And there are plenty of areas to explore at a gentler place including Breamish Valley, College Valley and Simonside Hills.
Peak District , Discover (opens in a new tab)
Whether it’s the demanding 21 miles of the ‘Edale Skyline’ (with 4,500ft of climb to boot!) or a gentle jog on level and surfaced trails along the Peak District’s former rail routes, there’s plenty to suit every set of trainers.
New Forest , Discover (opens in a new tab)
The New Forest is fairly flat, with no mountains to slow your stride, and running is a wonderful way to see the New Forest National Park close up. There are many routes taking you into the woods, by the sea, over heath or past rivers and streams. Take a look at some great routes and download the free app for walking (and running).
Yorkshire Dales , Discover (opens in a new tab)
Fell running is one of the Yorkshire Dales oldest sports. There are nearly 50 unique fell running events throughout the year. If you are looking for a race in or near a picturesque village with a great pub, try Cracoe, Dent, Embsay or Kettlewell. For fell races with a bit more happening, such as music, food and fun stuff to do and watch, visit Arncliffe, Buckden, Burnsall, Halton Gill or Hebden.
Did you know?
Top tips
- Taking time to build up your strength and flexibility will help prevent injury.
- Make sure you always warm up and cool down and have water to help re-hydrate.
- If you’re running alone make sure you have some way of communicating in case of emergency.
- If you’re running on footpaths watch out for other walkers, particularly children and animals.
It’s not every day you get to see one of our National Parks in biscuit form on @britishbakeoff!
Last night, The Great British Bake Off contestant @itsdoctoryan created a beautiful biscuit mosaic inspired by the Broads National Park, perfectly capturing the view at St Benet’s Mill, Thurne.
And it wasn’t just a feast for the eyes as the mosaic was made using treacle and ginger, honey and lemon, cocoa and malted milk, and pistachio biscuits.
Two great things combined: a beautiful National Park view and delicious biscuits. What could be better than that? 💚
Photo: Channel 4
#GBBO #BakeOff #NorfolkBroads @broadsnationalpark
You’ve likely heard of one - but what does it actually do?
Our 15 Parks wouldn’t be able to function without the authorities working behind the scenes to keep them running.
And each authority relies on people. People within the community, volunteers, staff and members. People that run businesses, or partner as organisations. People that are skilled and knowledgeable in a variety of areas from wildlife to accessibility.
Our National Parks are full of people and action, and it’s the Authorities that bring them all together.
💚
#NationalParksUK #NationalParkAuthorities
The Yorkshire Dales has one of the highest concentrations of caves and caverns of any of our 15 National Parks - a whole landscape hiding beneath the ground.
Our National Parks don’t just protect and preserve the landscapes we see every day. They also help care for historic and unique places discovered by our ancestors, like Ingleborough Cave and Gaping Gill, both of which were shrouded in myth and legend until they were explored by Victorians in the 1800s.
There’s so much more to our National Parks than meets the eye and sometimes, quite literally beneath the surface 👀
#YorkshireDales #GapingGill #Ingleborough
A week on from National Parks UK’s Big Volunteer Weekend, we’re still celebrating the people who make a difference across our National Parks.
Last weekend, hundreds of people came together across all 15 National Parks to give their time, share their skills and support our landscapes.
But volunteering in our National Parks doesn’t happen just one weekend a year. All year round, volunteers play an incredible variety of roles – from leading guided walks and supporting education, to conservation, planting and caring for our landscapes.
Every volunteer makes a valuable contribution to protecting our natural and cultural heritage. We simply couldn’t do what we do without you. 💚
So, to all our volunteers: thank you for your time, energy, enthusiasm and everything you bring to our National Parks.
If you know someone who volunteers in a National Park, help us spread the thanks by sharing this post. 🌿
#Volunteers #NationalParks #NationalParksUK
Mae’r Bele yn un o famaliaid prinnaf Cymru, ond mae eu niferoedd yn tyfu yn raddol. Mae hynny’n newyddion da i’n coetiroedd ac i’r Parciau Cenedlaethol, sy’n darparu rhai o’r cynefinoedd pwysicaf ar gyfer bywyd gwyllt ledled Cymru a Phrydain.
Ym Mannau Brycheiniog, mae’r prosiect adfer wedi gosod blychau nythu yn y coed, ac mae gwaith monitro wedi nodi presenoldeb y Bele, gan gynnwys grwpiau teuluol. Mae’r ffilm arbennig hon yn dangos un ohonynt ar waith. 🐾
Mae’n atgof hyfryd o’r hyn sy’n bosibl pan ddaw coetiroedd iach a gwaith cadwraeth arbenigol at ei gilydd i roi’r gofod sydd ei angen ar rywogaethau prin i wella.
Pine Martens are one of Wales’ rarest mammals, but they’re slowly making a comeback. That’s good news for our woodlands, and for National Parks, which provide some of the most important habitats for wildlife across Wales and Britain.
In Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons), the recovery project has installed treetop den boxes, with monitoring identifying pine martens, including family groups. This special footage shows one in action. 🐾
It’s a lovely reminder of what can happen when healthy woodlands and specialist conservation work come together to give rare species the space they need to recover.
#BreconBeacons #BannauBrycheiniog #PineMartins #Wales
It’s the Autumn Equinox 🍂
Our National Parks are always changing in time with the rhythm of nature, but this becomes particularly noticeable when autumn arrives.
Deer begin to rut, spiders’ cobwebs glisten in the fresh light, fungi become more prominent, and leaves begin to change colour.
What changes have you noticed so far? 🧡
#Autumn #AutumnEquinox #NationalParks
“You look after the National Park not for yourself, but for people who are coming, the ones who are following you.”
These are the words of Ron Wood, who has been volunteering for the Lake District National Park for over 60 years. His story reflects the vital role volunteering plays across our National Parks: keeping them thriving, communities invested, and people connected to and caring for our landscapes.
Over the decades, Ron’s incredible journey has seen him remain steadfast in his commitment through droughts, hand, foot and mouth disease, and the ever-changing rhythms of nature. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: his dedication to looking after the environment for those who come after him.
You can read Ron`s full story by clicking the link in our bio or learn more about volunteering at nationalparks.uk/volunteering 🔗
📸Photos by @lakedistrictnpa
#LakeDistrict #Volunteering #NationalParks
A quiet autumn transformation is beginning to take place. 🍁
Bracken gradually fades to burnt oranges. Mist sweeps across the horizon. Grasses brown and trees begin their annual shaking of leaves.
Our National Parks are never still. They are constantly changing and transforming with the seasons - a living rhythm of growth, decay, colour and renewal.
These four photographs perfectly capture our Parks on the cusp of autumn 📸
1. Dartmoor @ryanbrowningphotography
2. Lake District @jonny.gios
3. New Forest @acornsandscapes
4. Northumberland @calbrownphoto
#Autumn #NationalParksUK
