Explore the Totley Round
Location: Totley, England
This 9.6 km loop is a proper mixed-terrain run, with about 60% of it on unpaved trails and the rest on tarmac. You can start it from any point, but expect a constant change in surface underfoot. It’s the kind of route that keeps you alert, switching from road rhythm to trail concentration and back again. For a sub-10k run, it packs in a good variety of conditions.
With 187m of ascent, the climbing is noticeable but spread out. You'll feel it most on the sustained climb that runs alongside Baslow Road, which takes you up towards the moor. The rest is rolling. The unpaved sections vary from the defined Totley Brook path to grassy tracks and uneven, open moorland. For footwear, trail shoes are the sensible choice, especially after any rain when the grassy sections will be slippery and the moorland path boggy in places.
The route structure takes you from more built-up areas and suburban paths out onto the open ground of Totley Moor. This is the highest and most exposed part of the run, where the footing is most technical. The descent back into Totley is a mix of quiet lanes and tracks, allowing you to pick up the pace a little if your legs feel fresh after the climb and the uneven moorland trails.