A 12.5 mile hilly trail loop that begins by following the North Downs Way and then leads through footpaths and fields before rejoining the North Downs Way.
Starting Point
This loop starts and finishes in Titsey Hill. There is a car park at the start of the route but it is very small so will fill up quickly.
Details for this route can be found here and you can download the GPX file to follow the route directly from your watch.
Warning - this route has some very steep inclines! If you're training for a hilly race this would be a great training route but if you're looking for an easy run then another route might be more appropriate. Trail shoes are definitely advised for this run.
Miles 1 - 3
The route starts by heading downhill from Titsey Hill Car Park for around half a mile. Then take a right turn to join the North Downs Way, following this for another half mile.
Soon after you've complete the first mile you will come to a junction of trails. There is a steep climb to your right and I'm afraid this is where the route goes! At its peak this incline has a 34% gradient and it is a dirt path so trail shoes will really help.
At the very top of the hill cross the road and enjoy an easier section of the run as you follow a quiet country lane downhill.
Miles 4 & 5
The fourth mile is unfortunately the worst part of the route as this is the road section! The route joins onto Slines Oak Road for one mile. It's a nice area to run but it can be a little busy with cars at certain times of the day so be careful along this section.
The road heads towards Woldingham Golf Course which will be on your right hand side. When you reach the edge of the golf course you can turn right off of the road to join a path that leads along the edge of the course. The start of this path is quite discreet so make sure not to miss it!
Miles 6 - 8
After the golf course the route joins a very quiet road surrounded by fields. Enjoy this easy stretch as the route then joins a footpath on the right. Prepare for another steep incline - the gradient reaches 29%. This steep footpath is between two fields and leads up to a woodland area before opening out onto a big open green space.
From here follow the route along some well marked paths through the fields and woodland.
Miles 9 - 12
The final part of the route links back up with the North Downs Way which means you can follow the signs all the way back to where you started. This part of the run is made up of trails and small paths running along the fields in the area. Again, there are a few steep sections.
This is a challenging route with lots of ups and downs. The course has a total elevation of 2017ft over 12.5 miles and most of the ascents are short but steep. It's an interesting route with scenery that quickly changes - fields, golf courses, trails, woodland, road and more.
Always run safely - let somebody know where you are and choose a safe time of day to run. For more route inspiration follow me on Strava and on instagram. Happy running! #happylegshappymind