Where to go running in the Peak District?

From Park Runs to trails

As I was training for the #VLM London Marathon in early 2018, this meant that I had plenty of opportunity to explore the scenic running routes around the Peak District. You have to vary the routes with so much training and I had plenty of opportunity to explore the local area and am now starting to become a bit of a local route expert. Running along the Cromford Canal was always one of my top routes. Drive a bit further to run along the new running trail from Matlock to Rowsley, taking you past Whitworth park in Daley Dale; try running to beat the train and as the route is alongside the steam railway. On my longest training run, I extended the route running through Chatsworth park.

Fancy a 5K then why not become a park run tourist? – the locals are very welcoming and as the regular Saturday morning runs set out from Hassop café along the Bakewell section of the same trail. Or try the regular Whitworth park 5K thread.

Save the environment and be a green tourist as there is no need to even get the car out

There are some great running routes directly from Agricola House.

• There are some great trails around Black rocks – a stony outcrop accessible easily along footpaths from Wirksworth. Around Black rocks there are plenty of climbs to test your running skills or maybe as part of your own race training program?
• Find the High Peak trail, and then join the trail route to Middleton top linking up to the Tissington Trail. If you time it right, why not stay at Agricola to run the annual Tissington half marathon? Relax those tired muscles and recuperate in Agricola’s on-site sauna afterwards.
• Carsington water – a good 8-mile circular route around the water with plenty of small gradients and spectacular views. There are toilets around the route, a visitor centre to have a drink and detours to watch the birdlife in the hides scattered around the route-one of my favourites. Try it early in the morning when it’s quieter and to watch the sunrise over the water.

Fancy a running tour with a Peak District guide?

Join the regular Saturday social run based in Matlock with the local Peak District Our Running Revolution or contact them for your own bespoke guided route—they come highly recommended.
There is also a great running shop in Matlock- Run Forest to visit. Always gets 5 * reviews from their customers from far and wide and with good reason. Have a coffee, read the local race blackboard and chat to the very friendly and helpful staff.

Bring your running buddies as Agricola House would be a great base for a group of running friends to stay

1. Try a post-run sauna onsite at Agricola to relax any achy muscles
2. Great running routes either within a short drive or directly from the house
3. Real ale houses, wine bars, restaurants and an independent cinema to spend the evening in all within 5 minutes’ walk in Wirksworth—what’s not to like?
4. Plenty of half marathons, full marathons, 5k or 10 k throughout the year to enter in the Peak District with a great base to go back to debrief with those running buddies over a glass of wine or beer in our sociable living space.
5. One of the best running shops in the area is in Matlock- Run Forest and with a blackboard filed with local runs. Have coffee, cake and running chats in their friendly shop stocked with the very best running gear.
6. Try a guided running tour with Our Running Revolution
7. Some of the most scenic Park Runs in the country to run alongside friendly Derbyshire locals.
8. Share your running escapades with the Agricola Twitter or Facebook page with #RunAgricolaRun