9k Run Leeds: Picturesque Loop Around Eccup Reservoir

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 9.1km loop around Eccup Reservoir offers some of the most scenic trail running in Leeds, blending gently undulating forest paths with quiet country lanes. With a modest ascent of 67m, the route is manageable for most fitness levels while providing enough "hilly" character to keep the legs engaged. Runners can expect a mix of paved sections and soft trails that border the water, offering stunning views across the reservoir which is a haven for local birdlife. The terrain is predominantly firm, but trail shoes are recommended during the wetter Yorkshire months to navigate the natural sections with ease.

Steeped in local character, this route takes you through the heart of Harewood estate territory and famously skirts the edge of the Emmerdale Village TV set, where you might catch a glimpse of the long-running soap’s iconic stone cottages. Eccup Reservoir itself dates back to the mid-19th century and is recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), most notably for its thriving population of Red Kites. As you loop back toward Goodrick Lane, you are running through a landscape that perfectly captures the transition from the urban fringes of North Leeds into the rolling green hills of the Wharfe Valley.