8k Run Backwell: Scenic Loop from Jubilee Stone

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 8.2km loop through Bourton Combe offers a quintessential Somerset trail running experience, blending technical woodland singletrack with steady sections of paved terrain. Starting from Church Lane in Backwell, runners will tackle approximately 183m of ascent, including a notable climb toward the Jubilee Stone where you can catch your breath while surveying the sprawling Mendip Hills. The route is rated moderately hilly, featuring a diverse mix of underfoot conditions—from firm 5km paved stretches to the loamy, often muddy paths that wind around the impressive limestone quarry and the deep, shaded valleys of the Combe.

Steeped in local history and natural beauty, the area around Bourton Combe is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), known for its rare flora and dramatic karst limestone features. As you loop around the quarry, you are running through a landscape that has been shaped by both ancient geological shifts and Victorian-era stone extraction. The "Jubilee Stone" itself serves as a local landmark, erected to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887, and remains a favorite vantage point for Backwell residents. This route captures the transition from the quiet village atmosphere of Backwell to the rugged, wilder fringes of the North Somerset countryside.