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The best of Barefoot Britain — Awesome routes off the beaten track

Routes
Running trails & routes

The best of Barefoot Britain — Awesome routes off the beaten track

The best of Barefoot Britain — Awesome routes off the beaten track
Anna McNuff

The best of Barefoot Britain — Awesome routes off the beaten track

Running Collection by Anna McNuff

8 routes

00:00 h

343 km

3,710 m

In the summer of 2019, I ran my way for 2,532 miles (4,075 km) from the beauty of the Shetland Islands to the bustling streets of London, with no shoes on! But that's besides the point; along the way I got to see some truly stunning and lesser-known corners of Great Britain.

So here's a Collection of what I believe to be the best undiscovered runs across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales. It includes everything from trails through long-forgotten valleys and dense forests, pathways along windswept hilltops, stretches of deserted sandy beaches and visits to the crumbling ruins of castles. Not to mention a few tearooms along the way...

There's plenty of Highlights showing you where to stop and stare, check out the thriving local wildlife or to put your feet up for a while and fill up with some delicious local nosh.

Most runs can be done in a single day, but some are longer Tours that you might want to break down into several sections, or just choose a portion of. Good luck and happy running!

On The Map

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Activities

  1. Puffins, ponies and white sand in Shetland — The best of Barefoot Britain

    00:00

    25.1km

    380m

    390m

    Once a gift to Scotland from a Norwegian king, the Shetland Islands are a world apart from anything you’ll experience on the British mainland. Famed for an abundance of white, sandy beaches and crumbling Viking long houses, the number of exciting places to explore on foot here is endless.

    

    My favourite

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  2. Many people will have heard of Wick, one of the most northerly cities in Scotland, but most will just pass through it on their way to John O’Groats. Just outside Wick are the remains of Wick Castle, perched precariously on a clifftop which is dotted with wild flowers.

    

    From Wick town centre, take a run

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  3. Sign Up To Discover Places Like This

    Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.

  4. The often grass-covered Speyside Way loosely follows the River Spey on the bed of an old railway line, making for flat, easy miles through the Moray countryside in North-East Scotland.

    

    The coolest thing about the Speyside Way is that many of the old platforms and stations are still in place. You can choo

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  5. I couldn't believe that I hadn't visited the Northumberland coastline, despite living in Great Britain my whole life. It is truly stunning! Miles and miles of deserted stretches of golden sandy beaches to plod along, quaint coffee shops, great pubs and a spattering of history with come cracking castles

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  6. Start your run at the small fishing port of Ardglass, home to the oldest golf clubhouse in the world, nothing shy of a haunted mansion.

    

    Following the Lecale Way, the first section of the run is on a road, but don’t be put off by it. It’s a road that sweeps along the shores of the Irish sea with great

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  7. This run is a great one to do on two feet, or even on a bike! It's also buggy-friendly for anyone running with a bubba on too. Loosely following the Wales Coastal Path and National Cycle Route 5, you’ll find yourself in a sandwich between the glassy waters of the Irish Sea to the north and the peaks

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  8. This cheeky half marathon route has all the fine ingredients for a great day out on the trails. Plenty of sloppy mud, hills, stellar views and a dollop of history along the way too.

    

    Begin the run outside Guildford Guildhall, beneath what is reportedly the most photographed clock in Britain. Make your

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  9. Exmoor National Park is one of the best kept secrets in Great Britain. This route goes from the coastal mecca of Minehead to the tiny port town of Lynmouth, from east to west. On what is a full day out, you’ll follow the South West Coastal Path up, up, up and then down again, past wild Exmoor ponies

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Collection Stats

  • Activities
    8
  • Distance
    343 km
  • Duration
    00:00 h
  • Elevation
    3,710 m

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