17k Run South Cambridgeshire: Scenic Loop Through Wicken Fen

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 17.1km loop through South Cambridgeshire offers a rare opportunity to run through England’s most famous wetland landscape. Characterized by a completely flat profile (0m ascent), this "SL" course is a fast yet immersive mix of narrow boardwalks, grassy trails, and quiet paved lanes. Starting from the charming village of Wicken, you'll traverse the heart of the National Trust’s Wicken Fen, loop through the serene countryside toward Upworth, and track the lush banks of the River Cam. With roughly 30% of the route on paved surfaces and the remainder on soft fenland ground, it's a perfect long-distance training run for those seeking a tranquil, nature-filled escape without the technical challenge of hills.

Steeped in natural history, Wicken Fen is the National Trust's oldest nature reserve, purchased in 1899 to protect a fragment of the vast "Sedge Fen" that once covered East Anglia. As you cross Adventurers Fen, you are running through a site of international ecological importance, home to over 9,000 recorded species including Konik ponies and Highland cattle that graze the marshes. The area feels like a step back in time; the expansive skies and horizontal landscapes provide a sense of isolation that is hard to find elsewhere in the UK. Keep an eye out for marsh harriers or short-eared owls often spotted hunting over the reedbeds during the quieter morning or evening hours.