7k Run Fritham: Scenic Amberwood Inclosure Experience

Route Overview & Local Insights

Experience the rugged beauty of the New Forest on this 7.2km loop starting from the quiet hamlet of Fritham. This is a true off-road adventure with 0% pavement, taking runners through a mix of ancient woodlands and open heathland via Howen Bushes and Fritham Bridge. With a total ascent of 64m, the course is delightfully hilly, offering enough undulation to challenge your legs while rewarding you with sweeping views across Alder Hill and Row Hill. Expect varied terrain that can become muddy after rain, so trail shoes are highly recommended for navigating the gravel tracks and forest paths of the Amberwood Inclosure.

Fritham is one of the most idyllic spots in the New Forest National Park, maintaining a timeless atmosphere that feels miles away from the modern world. As you run across Fritham Plain, keep an eye out for the famous New Forest ponies and fallow deer that frequently roam these enclosures. The area is steeped in history, located near the site of former royal hunting grounds and old powder mills. After finishing your loop, the Royal Oak pub in Fritham—a historic 17th-century thatched building—is a legendary local spot for runners to refuel with a ploughman’s lunch and a pint of local ale.