Delamere Forest is a trail running mecca with miles of mixed terrain to explore, a big hill to get your heart pumping and a string of annual events for the competitive runner looking to test their running credentials!
Delamere Forest is a great trail running location set in the heart of Cheshire. An abundance of trails provides challenges for all levels, whether you are embarking on a Couch to 5k, training for a trail marathon of running just for fun.
Your running track is a network of fire-roads leading to a maze of undulating trails, allowing you to explore the sprawling forest with relative ease. There is also big hill, namely Old Pale Hill which rises to a height of 176 m. The Old Pale viewpoint is the big highlight, rewarding you with panoramic views across seven counties. Perfect for catching your breath while pretending you’re admiring the scenery!
For the uninitiated a number of waymarked trails will guide you around the forest, providing a great introduction to trail running at Delamere. For the more adventurous a 10k Wild Running Trail takes you around the south of the forest and includes an ascent of Old Pale Hill. On that subject there are a number of paths which lead to the summit of Old Pale (See our Delamere MTB page for further info) – making it ideal for hill repeats! For a less structured run grab your trail shoes, a set of headphones and go explore.
Newbies should perhaps stick to the waymarked trails, as venturing deeper into the forest can be somewhat disorientating, potentially turning a short run into a much longer one! If heading deeper into the forest ensure you have a GPS app on your phone.
Waymarked Trails
A number of shared-use waymarked trails provide the perfect introduction to trail running at Delamere Forest. The Whitefield trail is a short 2 km loop starting from Whitefield car park, with the most challenging route being the purple signed and aptly named Running Trail, a 10 km loop which includes a lap or Blakemere Moss – the largest of the forests wetland areas.
Old Pale Trail as the names suggests is a loop to the summit of Old Pale Hill. At 3.2 km its a short run, however to reach the highest point in Cheshire Plain you’ve got to run uphill – and that’s no joke! Start point for the Running Trail and Old Pale Trail is close to the visitor centre.
Trail Map: Delamere Running Trails
Delamere Wild Running Trail
The Wild Running Trail is (or perhaps was – see update below) a great introduction to trail running in Delamere Forest. The route is undulating and on mixed terrain including loose stone trails, narrow muddy paths and wider grassy tracks. You will traverse the less trodden south side of the forest boundary which includes a section of the Sandstone Trail and Delamere Way.
It includes an ascent (and descent) of Old Pale Hill and will undoubtedly get your heart pumping – and perhaps even bring a smile to your face! The trail is way-marked and starts by the visitor centre. Trail shoes are recommended, and waterproof socks would be useful during the wet winter months when you’ll be faced with unavoidable sections of boggy trail!
UPDATE: The signage for the wild running trail has appeared and disappeared over the years, and it seems the case the trail is no longer officially ‘supported’ by the forestry commission. That said, download the GPS file and go explore!
Running Events
If you are a more competitive runner or are looking to challenge yourself a number of annual running events take place within the forest.
Montane Trail 13 & 10 Delamere
The Montane Delamere Forest Trail races comes to Delamere Forest in January, with 10K and half marathon (13 mile) options.
Petzl Night Runner Delamere
Round 1 of the Petzl Night Runner series is hosted each October at Delamere Forest. Halloween costumes are optional and head-torches are a must on this 10k winter spooktacular run!
Delamere Park Run
The Delamere Park Run is now well established, with the course following the permanently signed “Delamere Forest 5km Run” – marked by white arrows on a slate blue background. Underfoot you’ll run on a mixture of gravel and trail paths – which get muddy in the winter months!
Running Clubs
Delamere Spartans trail running club run primarily at delamere forest, they bill themselves as an alternative running club – with a focus on fun and testing the limits of your comfort zone!
