9k Run Cannock Chase: Scenic Loop around Fairoaks Pool

Route Overview & Local Insights

Experience the rugged beauty of Staffordshire on this 8.9km loop through the heart of Cannock Chase. Starting from Rugeley, this trail leads you toward Brindley Heath on a moderately hilly course that rewards every climb with breathtaking woodland views. The terrain is entirely off-road, featuring well-trodden forest paths and gravel tracks that require stable footing. The highlight of the run is the atmospheric anticlockwise loop around Fairoaks Pool, where the water provides a serene backdrop and a cool breeze—perfect for catching your rhythm before the return leg back to Rugeley.

Cannock Chase is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and holds a deep history, having served as a Royal Forest and later as a significant military training ground during both World Wars. Running around Fairoaks Pool, you are traversing an area reclaimed from former coal mining and industrial works, now transformed into a thriving wildlife haven. Keep a keen eye out for the famous fallow deer that roam these woods; they are most active during the early morning hours, offering a truly wild encounter just a stone’s throw from the local towns.