Running in Essex is one of the best ways to explore more of this region. To help you discover the most beautiful places to run, we’ve reviewed our full collection …

Last updated: September 24, 2025

runners

1. Hadleigh Castle Country Park loop

12.7km

01:21

80m

Intermediate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

3.0

(1)

runners

2. Hockley Woods loop

4.40km

00:28

50m

Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

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4.0

(1)

runners

3. The River Chelmer & Little Baddow loop from Chelmsford

15.2km

01:42

110m

Expert run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

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Expert

4.5

(2)

runners

4. Marsh Farm Country Park loop

10.1km

01:08

20m

Intermediate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

2.7

(3)

runners

5. Thorndon Country Park loop from Brentwood

14.3km

01:40

140m

Intermediate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

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6. Canvey Island loop

23.1km

02:42

20m

Expert run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Expert

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7. Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park loop

10.3km

01:12

80m

Intermediate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

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Intermediate

4.0

(1)

runners

8. Hanningfield Reservoir South loop

4.89km

00:30

20m

Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

runners

9. Bradwell Cockel Spit & Sales Point loop — Dengie Peninsula

10.2km

01:03

20m

Intermediate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(1)

runners

10. Magnolia Nature Reserve loop

4.48km

00:30

30m

Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Other adventures in Essex

Countryside to coast – through rural Essex on the Saffron Trail

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Following Roman roads across England — hiking the Greater Ridgeway

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Step into a Romantic painting on a picturesque rural hike — Essex Way

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A riverside ramble from source to Thames — Lea Valley Walk

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English Channel to North Sea — cycle the Greater Ridgeway Trail

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Ancient bridleways of Central England — Icknield Way Trail

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The North Sea Coast Cycle Route — England

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Most popular routes in Essex

Hiking in Essex

Road Cycling Routes in Essex

MTB Trails in Essex

Cycling in Essex

Easy hikes in Essex

Gravel biking in Essex

Waterfall hikes in Essex

Most popular attractions in Essex

Places to see

Lakes

Castles

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Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Check out more Running Trails & Routes throughout Essex below and find the perfect route in your destination.

Tendring Colchester Rochford Chelmsford Epping Forest Uttlesford Maldon Braintree Basildon Brentwood Castle Point Harlow

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Browse the best Running Trails & Routes in other regions.

Cambridgeshire Suffolk Hertfordshire Norfolk Central Bedfordshire Southend-on-Sea Peterborough Bedford Leigh-On-Sea Thurrock Orton Waterville St Martin'S Without Biddenham Wyboston, Chawston And Colesden Barnack Orton Longueville Roxton Cardington Willington Cople Hampton Hargate Colmworth Luton Wothorpe Renhold Great Denham Stevington Thorney Little Barford Milton Ernest Oakley Bretton Cotton End Alwalton (Hunts)Upton Sutton Bainton Marholm Carlton And Chellington Ufford Southorpe Bromham Pavenham Peakirk Ravensden Thurleigh Newborough Deeping Gate Staploe Bolnhurst And Keysoe Stagsden Dean And Shelton Turvey Wilshamstead Sharnbrook Swineshead Harrold Felmersham Wansford Castor Pertenhall Thornhaugh Borough Fen Clapham Stewartby Elstow Riseley Helpston Ailsworth Knotting And Souldrop Odell Brickhill Wymington Kempston Little Staughton Podington Northborough Melchbourne And Yielden Wittering Glinton Etton Bletsoe Kempston Rural Maxey Eye Wilden Wootton Wixams Great Barford

The best running trails in Essex

1. Hadleigh Castle Country Park loop

2. Hockley Woods loop

3. The River Chelmer & Little Baddow loop from Chelmsford

4. Marsh Farm Country Park loop

5. Thorndon Country Park loop from Brentwood

6. Canvey Island loop

7. Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park loop

8. Hanningfield Reservoir South loop

9. Bradwell Cockel Spit & Sales Point loop — Dengie Peninsula

10. Magnolia Nature Reserve loop

Other adventures in Essex

Most popular routes in Essex

Most popular attractions in Essex

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