Chevin Country Park

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 4.1km loop through Chevin Country Park is a quintessential Yorkshire trail run, offering a punchy mix of woodland tracks and open grassy paths. With 67m of ascent, you’ll encounter a three-star hilly profile that keeps your heart rate elevated, specifically through a series of steady climbs and technical downhill sections. The terrain is entirely off-road, consisting of compacted dirt that transforms into a muddy playground after a typical Otley rain shower. Runners can expect breathtaking panoramic views over the Wharfe Valley as they navigate the clockwise circuit, making the effort of the climbs well worth the reward.

Local runners affectionately refer to this area as "The Chevin," a towering ridge that has overlooked the market town of Otley for millennia. The park is steeped in history, with geological features dating back to the Carboniferous period and evidence of Roman roads cutting through the landscape. As you traverse the trails, you’re running through a designated Local Nature Reserve that served as a vital source of stone for the Houses of Parliament in London. Today, it stands as a hub for the vibrant Otley running community, offering a rugged escape that feels miles away from the nearby bustle of Leeds.