Thurlestone - Bantham Loop

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 8.5km anticlockwise loop from Thurlestone provides a quintessential South Devon trail running experience, blending technical coastal paths with fast-rolling quiet lanes. With 171m of ascent, you’ll tackle a "hilly" profile that rewards every climb with sweeping views across Bigbury Bay. The terrain is impressively varied; expect a mix of roughly 30% paved surfaces transitioning into grassy headlands and sandy stretches around Bantham Ham. It’s an intermediate-level run where the coastal breeze is a constant factor, making the sheltered inland segments a welcome break before you hit the exposed, more rugged cliffs near Aunemouth.

Steeped in maritime history and natural beauty, this area is a crown jewel of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As you run past the iconic Thurlestone Rock—a massive arched stack of red Triassic sandstone—you’re seeing a landmark that has guided sailors for centuries. The turn at Bantham offers a glance at one of the UK’s premier surfing beaches and the historic Burgh Island in the distance. Running here feels like moving through a living postcard, where the ancient village charm of Thurlestone meets the wild, salt-sprayed energy of the Atlantic coast.