8k Run Skelton: Scenic Loop at Margrove Ponds Nature Reserve

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 7.8km loop through Skelton offers a fantastic blend of serene nature and challenging elevation, perfect for runners looking to escape the tarmac. Starting from the junction of The Hills and Main Street, you’ll tackle a mix of terrain with approximately 122m of ascent. The route features a significant segment through the Margrove Ponds Nature Reserve, providing soft trails and scenic water views before climbing toward Airy Hill. While 25% of the course is paved, expect some undulating off-road sections—rated a 3 on the hilly scale—that will test your strength and reward you with sweeping views of the North Yorkshire landscape as you head toward the finish at the Cleveland Way intersection.

Steeped in industrial heritage, the Skelton and Margrove area was once the beating heart of the Cleveland ironstone mining industry. As you run past Margrove Ponds, you are actually traversing a site reclaimed from the old ironstone mine workings, now transformed into a thriving wildlife haven managed by the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust. This route offers a unique connection between the region's gritty Victorian past and its lush, green present. Keep an eye out for local birdlife and the historic stone architecture of Skelton-in-Cleveland, a village that has served as a gateway to the moors for centuries before becoming a key waypoint on the iconic Cleveland Way National Trail.