13k Run Hartwell: Explore the Big Bear TrailFest in Salcey Forest

Route Overview & Local Insights

Experience the tranquil beauty of Northamptonshire with the Big Bear TrailFest loop in Salcey Forest. This 13.1km route is a trail runner's dream, offering a flat but engaging mixed-terrain experience with a negligible 21m of ascent. Starting from the central forest cafe, you'll immediately dive onto less-traveled paths, trading the main gravel tracks for grassy alleyways and pine-needle-carpeted floor. The course weaves through the Glade and pushes deep into the woodland, taking you through the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near the Horse Box car park. With no major hills to battle, this is an ideal venue for maintaining a steady tempo while navigating the rhythmic twists and turns of the forest interior.

Salcey Forest is a magnificent remnant of a medieval royal hunting forest located just outside the village of Hartwell. As you run, you are traversing land that has been managed for centuries, now famous for its majestic "druid" oaks—some of which are over 600 years old. While the route keeps your feet on the ground, the area is renowned for its Tree Top Way, which rises 15 meters into the canopy. The forest serves as a vital ecological corridor, and early morning runners are frequently treated to sightings of roe deer or the flash of a red kite overhead. It is a local favorite for its deep sense of seclusion despite its proximity to Milton Keynes and Northampton.