6k Run Cannock: Picturesque Loop from Castle Ring

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 5.5km loop at Cannock Chase offers a quintessential off-road experience, starting at the high point of Castle Ring and plunging into the verdant heart of the forest. With 126m of ascent, runners should prepare for a moderately hilly challenge that tests both endurance and footwork on natural, unpaved trails. The route follows a scenic stretch of the Heart of England Way toward the camping grounds before looping back via the serene Horsepasture Pools. Expect a mix of dense woodland canopy and open heathland, providing a diverse terrain that feels more remote than its central location suggests.

Beyond the trails, the route is steeped in ancient British history. Your starting point, Castle Ring, is the highest point on Cannock Chase and home to an Iron Age hillfort dating back to approximately 50s AD. Standing at 240 meters above sea level, it offers sweeping views across the Trent Valley and toward the Peak District on clear days. As you run past Horsepasture Pools, you are traversing an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" that has evolved from a medieval royal hunting forest into a haven for wild fallow deer and rare bird species, making it one of the most beloved trail running destinations in the Midlands.