Great Running Routes Around The Plymouth Area
Looking for a New Year’s resolution that will keep you fit and healthy and is virtually free? Then start running!
We are incredibly fortunate in the south west to have a huge variety of running routes at our disposal. Whatever you’re looking for, whether that be a flat, short, road / tarmac route to get you started or a gruelling trail / fell running ultramarathon, we’ve got the lot. It’s a fantastic way to shed those Christmas pounds, explore new areas, and have a good time doing so.
There are numerous Devon and Plymouth running clubs to join, a packed diary of local races to enter, or if you prefer just going out for a solo jog you can rest assured that you’ll be well catered for in Devon.
Check out these suggestions for the best running routes in and around Plymouth, Devon.
Victoria Park
1.2 km big loop or 0.7 km little loop. Flat, smooth tarmac circuit with refreshments available from the Park Pavilion café.
Saltram
3.3 km main loop can be extended to a 4.7 km loop via Stag Lodge if you turn off by the bike track. A combination of tarmac and hard-packed trails with a couple of small hills. Ample parking and refreshments available at the café.
You can also approach from Plymouth along Laira Bridge towards Chelston Meadow along the cycle path. Or, if you’re coming from Plympton/Marsh Mills or the North East of the city you can take the footpath under the Marsh Mills flyover.
Burrator loop
5.8 km loop around the reservoir. 90% tarmac although there are opportunities to increase the ratio of trail to tarmac if you’re feeling adventurous. Ice cream van at the dam.
Burrator Horseshoe
11 km loop, 10% tarmac, the rest is trail / fells. Up and over 2 tors, across open moorland and through a ford. This is not a route for the fainthearted. Start / finish at the Royal Oak pub in Meavy.
SW Coast Path
We’ve got a 1014 km footpath running along the coast from Poole in Dorset, to Minehead in Somerset via Devon and Cornwall. It’s all lovely, just pick a section and run it. The current record for running it all is 10 days, 15 hours, and 18 minutes.
An obvious popular route in Plymouth is the Barbican/Sutton Harbour, along the Hoe seafront to the Royal William Yard, taking in Millbay and Durnford Street.
Feel like a change? Take the ferry to Mount Edgcumbe, and then run through the grounds to Kingsand/Cawsand and get the ferry back. Check the ferry is running before hand though… Or you’ll be running back too.
Central Park
An obvious one, with the biggest park in the city centre perfect for a great running circuit. Park in the free car park outside the Life Centre and mix and match your run to your style. If you take the full circuit you’ll hit plenty of hills, or you can keep a smaller loop around Home Park stadium and back up to the car park.
