7k Run St Leonards: Scenic Journey through Ludwell Valley Park

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 7.1km loop through Exeter offers a refreshing mix of riverside serenity and suburban charm, making it a favorite for local runners seeking variety without extreme elevation. Starting from St Lukes, you'll enjoy a gentle descent through the leafy residential streets of St Leonards before reaching the flat, fast paths along the River Exe. The mid-section through Ducke’s Marsh and Ludwell Valley Park provides a high-quality paved surface perfect for maintaining a steady tempo, while the final stretch features the route's only real challenge—a steady climb up Dryland Road—to test your legs before finishing strong near Victoria Park Road.

Runners on this route traverse some of Exeter's most historic and greenest corridors. St Leonards is well-known for its elegant Victorian architecture and "village" feel within the city, while the Ludwell Valley Park section acts as a vital "green lung" for the community, offering a sense of countryside escape just minutes from the city center. This area was once dominated by agriculture and mills; today, it serves as a peaceful wildlife haven where you’re just as likely to spot a kingfisher along the river as you are a fellow harrier training for the Great South Run.