Lowercroft Reservoirs

This is a single loop of just under 5 km that’s almost entirely off-road, making it a good, accessible trail run close to Bury. You can start anywhere, but a common point is on the dirt track of Bentley Hall Road. The route offers a rural feel without requiring a long drive out of town. With only 61m of total ascent, the effort comes from the varied terrain underfoot rather than any major climbs.

From Bentley Hall Road, the route moves into open fields where the ground can be uneven, so watch your footing. You'll cross a bridge over Top Lowercroft Reservoir before the path continues around towards Middle Lowercroft Reservoir. The loop feels like a run of two halves: the solid dirt track to start, followed by the more challenging grassy and potentially soft sections through the fields on the return leg.

The rolling profile means you’re never grinding up a single hill for long, but the rises are enough to keep it interesting for a tempo effort. Given the high percentage of unpaved ground, including dirt and grass, trail shoes are advisable. After any wet weather, the grassy paths in particular will become soft and muddy, so expect to lose some pace there. Road shoes will likely struggle for grip if it’s been raining.