The Best Hidden Gem Running Route

19th June, 2026 | 6 min. read

From riverside runs to scenic country routes, a good running route is a runner’s best friend.

We’ve asked some of our favourite runners to share their “hidden gem” routes to inspire you and give that motivation to lace up your running shoes and step outside.

Run With Rachel – The River Ouse, York

“If you ask me for my favourite running route, I’ll always say the same thing, the River Ouse in York. Slightly biased maybe, since I'm a local, but I think it’s one of the best places in the UK to run. For me, it ticks every box. You’ve got flexible distances, beautiful scenery and it is the perfect place to just switch off. In the summer especially, there’s nowhere I’d rather be. I love how easy it is. You don’t have to overthink anything. Feeling good? Keep going. Not feeling it? Cut across one of the bridges and head back. The route just works itself out. Because it’s flat, you can properly switch off, no hills, no tricky terrain (unless you count a few cobbles), just you, the river and your thoughts. I usually start at Millennium Bridge and follow the river north towards Scarborough Bridge - a stunning railway bridge that makes for the perfect photo stop. The paths are well maintained with cycle lanes too and it feels safe, which makes a big difference, especially if you run solo. There’s something about having the river next to you that just clears your mind. This route has carried me through many marathon training blocks, especially on those days when motivation is low. Just watch out for the ducks and there can be duck poo in places which is surprisingly slippery. On the way back, I usually loop through Rowntree Park - a beautiful public park that was gifted to the people of York by the famous Rowntree chocolate family. I like to end the run at the ice cream boat. Yes, an actual ice cream boat and we are lucky enough to have two! One near Millennium Bridge and one near Dame Judi Dench Walk (she's a proud Yorkie too). Finishing a summer run with an ice cream looking out over the river is one of life's simple joys. I'd highly recommended it. Running along the Ouse just makes you feel connected to York in a different way. It's a little more serene as its not as rammed with tourists like The Shambles. The bridges, the parks, the history, it’s all right there alongside everyday life. So, whether you’re visiting or you live here and haven’t properly explored it yet, start at Millennium Bridge and just see where you end up. Just make sure you save room for that ice cream.”

Run With Rachel is a women’s running blog that offers key advice to runners, regardless of their ability. Check their Instagram page here.

The 5K Runner – Richmond

“This is a beautiful route to run if you like river views and the odd historic building. The route starts and finishes at St. Mary’s University, which is very well-respected for its sports-related studies & research, its running club, and for the Sir Mo Farah Athletic Track. If, like Mo Farah, you’ve run the famous ‘Cabbage Patch 10 miler’ or the beautiful Richmond Marathon, you’ll recognise this route. It also uses a part of the Kingston parkrun 5K course. If you are coming to the UK from overseas and want a tourist run to keep you busy, then this is a pretty cool run in a pretty cool part of London. There are only a handful of legally ‘protected views’ in the UK and the Richmond Hill end of this route is on one of those protected views.”

The 5K Runner regularly puts this route to the test, sometimes taking their dog with them, making it perfect for your furry friends.

Trina Runs – Epping Forest

“My favourite route is one that is in Epping Forest 25 km (approx. 15.5 miles) point-to-point route starting near Epping and finishing at Wanstead Flats in East London. The run cuts through Epping Forest in a way that gradually shifts from deep woodland into open urban edges. That transition alone is a big part of why it sticks with me.

Here’s why I love it:

1. It removes you from “city noise” without leaving London

Epping Forest is one of the few places where I can run for long stretches under tree cover, with uneven trails, changing light, and fewer artificial sounds. That sensory reset, less traffic, more birds, wind, and footfall let my brain drop out of constant alert mode.

2. The terrain forces presence

Because it’s hilly, technical, and mixed (single-track + wider paths), I can’t zone out completely. I am constantly adjusting stride, footing, and effort. That creates a kind of moving mindfulness you’re in your body, not just ticking off distance.

3. Variation keeps my brain engaged

Dense woods, open glades, elevation changes, and shifting path widths prevent monotony. My brain loves novelty, especially in natural settings. It’s why the same distance on roads often feels longer and more draining.

4. It taps into something evolutionary

As humans we are wired to respond positively to environments like forests. This is studied in things like “forest bathing”. Being surrounded by trees, natural smells, and irregular landscapes lowers stress hormones and improves mood. So, I am basically triggering an ancient comfort system.

Think of the run as a north → south spine through the forest, loosely following sections of the Essex Way and connected forest trails. The route loosely links sections of the Essex Way and forest trails, passing through key areas like Theydon Bois and Debden. The northern half is dominated by dense woodland, rolling hills, and technical terrain that demands constant attention. This creates an immersive, almost trail-running experience from typical London streets.

Further south, the route climbs around High Beach before opening out near Chingford Plain and descending toward Hollow Ponds. The environment gradually shifts from enclosed forest to open grassland, marking a clear transition back toward the city. That movement from deep woodland through Chingford and into Wanstead gives the run a strong sense of progression, making it feel like a journey across distinct landscapes rather than a single continuous effort.”

Trina Runs is an ultramarathoner and running coach from London. They also host the Quiet Miles podcast and share their running adventures on their Instagram page.

Black Girls Do Run – North London

“London is a city, and a very green one at that, with over 3,000 parks across the capital. That makes choosing a favourite running route no easy task. But one that I keep coming back to, time and time again, is the Parkland Walk.

This 4km linear nature reserve follows an old railway line, stretching from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace. It is completely off-road and car-free which, in a city like London, feels like a bit of a hidden luxury. You can run it in either direction, from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace or the other way round, take it as an out-and-back, or extend it by looping through Highgate Wood. On a Saturday morning, you can even start with Finsbury Park parkrun before heading onto the trail.

What makes this route special for me is the contrast. I often arrive via Finsbury Park station, stepping out into the usual busy, bustling London energy. Within minutes, you turn into the wide-open green space of Finsbury Park, and shortly after that, you slip onto the Parkland Walk itself, tucked away in a quiet corner. It feels like stepping into another world.

The trail is lined with trees, wildlife, and the kind of stillness you don’t always expect in a city. Depending on the time of year, you might be running under a canopy of deep green leaves, past golden tones in autumn, or alongside frosty edges in winter. There’s also street art dotted along the route, and something about that mix of urban creativity and natural beauty means every run feels slightly different, even though the route itself stays the same.

It is also a route that holds meaning. I have run it solo, using the time to think, reset, and just move in green space, and I have run it with my Black Girls Do Run UK community, where the energy, conversation, and shared experience bring a completely different feel to the same path. That balance between solitude and community is part of what makes it so special.

As you come off the trail into the Highgate area, you get a brief reminder that you are still in London before dipping back into greenery again if you choose to extend your run. Eventually, the route opens out into the grounds of Alexandra Palace, where you are greeted by sweeping views across the city and the presence of the historic palace itself. It is also where the BBC first broadcast television in 1936, adding a quiet sense of history to the finish.

It is not the most challenging route in terms of elevation, although there are gentle inclines that keep your legs working, especially if you extend the route. But what it offers goes beyond physical challenge. It gives you space. Space to think, to breathe, to connect, and to simply be in the moment.

For me, that is what makes a run memorable. And that is why the Parkland Walk will always be one of my favourite hidden gems.”

Tasha Thompson spearheads the Black Girls Do Run UK movement, empowering Black women around the UK to run. London born-and-bred, she shares her running adventures on her own Instagram, as well as the Black Girls Do Run UK page.

Running Sucks – River Roding

“My hidden gem running route is one that does so much for me. It’s the one that makes me feel the most at home, and it’s the one that takes me so effortlessly out of my own head whenever I need it.

It’s a six-mile route along the River Roding. Where? Yeah, it’s not really one to put in your diary to travel to. It’s not one that I expect to resonate with anyone else because it’s so personal to me, but I love that run.

I lived in Redbridge in northeast London for my whole life until I moved to Los Angeles at 31. Whenever I’m back in town visiting my parents, I make sure I pull on my shoes and hit that towpath for an hour or so, as often as I can.

Due to being along a river, the route itself is as flat as a pancake, but that’s one of the reasons that it’s so fun. I can just let it rip as fast or not fast as I’m feeling that day. The biggest reason why I run isn’t for performance, you see. I first started running along the river when I needed some time away from my desk. In my 20s, I was a music journalist, and I was listening to music every waking moment. I was either at a concert, or I was listening to records at home because I had to review them. Running was my time away from that.

Life as a music writer didn’t lead to the kind of affluence where I could afford the latest gadgets, so buying the best portable music system was beyond my grasp, so I didn’t listen to anything while I ran. I still don’t. Back then, though, that forced me to listen to everything around me. That included my own breath and the blood pumping through my head, but also the water, the birds, the cars rushing down the M11.

Running along the River Roding taught me to be present in my running. It forced me to take note of what I’m running through. I quickly understood the value of being present. Those are lessons that I’m so glad that I learned so early in my running journey.

So that six-mile route along the River Roding is a deeply personal hidden gem, but I bet you’ve got your own river to run along. One where you can discover the same things about yourself. A place where you can spend some time away from the hubbub and get to know yourself a little more deeply.

All you’ve got to do is look for it and go for a run.”

Raziq Rauf is the brains behind the Running Sucks Substack, and a published author for his book, This Is Running. His posts offer bursts of motivation to get running, and he shares his life on his Instagram.

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If you’re ready to try out these running routes – or even share your own – let us know on our Strava page!