Trehan 8

Route Overview & Local Insights

The Trehan 8 offers a quintessential Cornish running experience, packing a punchy 114m of ascent into a 7.8km paved figure-of-eight loop. Starting from the gateway town of Saltash, runners enjoy a relatively gentle warm-up through Forder, where the towering Brunel-designed railway viaduct provides a dramatic architectural backdrop. The difficulty ramps up as the route transitions into a steady climb toward Trehan. You’ll navigate winding, undulating lanes along Voss Road and Broadmoor, requiring good rhythm and concentration. The second half of the route provides a welcome, gradual descent down Longlands Lane, making it a fantastic session for building local hill strength on entirely paved surfaces.

Tucked away in the hills of South East Cornwall, this area is steeped in maritime and industrial history. Running through these narrow lanes, you'll feel the seclusion of the "forgotten corner" of the county, characterized by ancient high hedgerows that burst with wildflowers in the spring. These hedges are a staple of the Cornish landscape, originally built to protect farmland from Atlantic winds. While they offer peaceful tranquility and wind protection, local runners know to stay alert for agricultural traffic. Completing this loop gives you a genuine taste of the rural terrain that surrounds the Tamar Valley, far removed from the bustling commuter traffic of nearby Plymouth.