Thetford Fir

This 11.4 km loop takes place entirely within Thetford Forest, starting from the Thetford Warren Lodge car park. The route is fully off-road, following a mix of wide, hard-packed forestry tracks and some narrower dirt paths that wind between the trees. The surface is mostly firm, which makes for quick running, but you'll need to watch for sandy patches and loose stones which can affect footing. Trail shoes are the sensible choice here, especially if there has been any rain.

The run follows the marked Fir Trail in an anticlockwise direction, making navigation straightforward. With only 67 metres of total ascent spread across the distance, the course feels gently rolling rather than properly hilly. These minor undulations are enough to add some light work for the legs without interrupting your rhythm, so it’s a good route for a steady, consistent effort. There are no major climbs or technical descents to worry about.

You will spend the entire time under the forest canopy. The route is dominated by tall firs, which occasionally thin out to give views across small areas of open heathland, before closing back in. It’s a classic, non-technical woodland run, ideal for when you just want to get off the tarmac and cover a decent distance without complex navigation or any demanding gradients.