8k Run Chorley: Scenic Loop at Anglezarke Reservoir

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 7.7km loop around Anglezarke Reservoir offers a quintessential Lancashire trail running experience. Starting from Knowsley Lane Bridge, the route is classified as a "Short Local" (SL) course, featuring a gentle 85m of elevation gain that provides just enough undulation to keep things interesting without being overly taxing. You can expect a varied mix of terrain; with 40% of the course on paved sections and the remainder consisting of well-trodden woodland paths and waterside trails, it is an ideal choice for runners looking to transition from road to light trail. The paths can become muddy during the winter months, so grippy road-to-trail shoes are recommended to handle the mixed surfaces safely.

Anglezarke is the largest reservoir in the Rivington chain and is steeped in local industrial history. As you navigate the clockwise loop, you are running through a landscape that once hummed with the activity of flagstone quarries and lead mines. Keep an eye out for the "Waterman’s Cottage" and the remains of old farmsteads that were abandoned when the valley was flooded in the 19th century to provide water to Liverpool. Today, the area is a peaceful haven for wildlife, and runners often share the trail with oystercatchers and lapwings. Its proximity to Chorley makes it a favorite weekend escape for local running clubs seeking scenic views of the West Pennine Moors.