Leisurely 10 Miles Around Ashdown Forest

This is a beautiful 10-mile Trail-Run Explorers loop around Ashdown Forest, taking in a mix of open heathland, woodland trails, sandy tracks, rolling climbs and some lovely runnable sections.

The route starts and finishes on the higher ground of Ashdown Forest and quickly settles into classic forest running: wide views, winding paths, natural trail surfaces and that proper “out in the wild” feeling without being too far from civilisation.

From the start, the route heads generally south across the forest, with a steady mix of open trails and undulating ground. The first few miles gradually drop from the higher forest ridge into lower, more sheltered sections, so expect some easier running early on, but don’t be fooled — this loop definitely asks for a bit back later.

Around the middle section, the route swings east and then north, climbing back through the forest on a mixture of tracks and smaller trails. This part gives the route its character: some runnable climbs, changing terrain, and plenty of moments where you will want to look up and enjoy where you are.

The northern section drops again before turning back towards the start. The final few miles include a steady climb back onto the higher ground, so it is

worth keeping something in the legs. It is not brutal, but it is Ashdown Forest, so the hills like to quietly introduce themselves when you least need them.

The route is approximately 9.7 miles / 15.6 km, with around 350–425 metres of elevation gain, depending on how the GPS elevation is smoothed. Highest point is just over 220m, with the lowest point around 75m, so it has a proper rolling feel.

Ashdown Forest itself is a special place: open heathland, woodland, valley streams and wide views across the High Weald, with the wider area recognised for its ecological importance and protected landscapes.