8k Run Dacorum: Scenic Loop Around Tring Canal & Reservoir

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 8.0km out-and-back loop offers a refreshing, flat, and largely paved running experience through the heart of the Dacorum countryside. Starting in the historic town of Tring, you’ll join the towpath of the Grand Union Canal heading towards Bulbourne. The terrain is exceptionally runner-friendly with a negligible 10m ascent, making it an ideal choice for tempo sessions or a breezy recovery run. The highlight of the route is the scenic circumnavigation of Startop’s End Reservoir, where the wide-open skies and waterside views provide a sense of escape just moments from town.

Steeped in industrial heritage, the Grand Union Canal was once a bustling commercial artery connecting London to the Midlands; today, it serves as a serene corridor for local wildlife and the running community. As you circle the reservoir, you are passing through a Site of Special Scientific Interest, part of the Tring Reservoirs complex built in the early 19th century to feed the canal system. Keep an eye out for herons and grebes along the water’s edge, and if you have time post-run, the nearby Natural History Museum at Tring offers a fascinating look into the area's rich Victorian scientific legacy.