Hebden, Grassington, Yarnbury Loop

This 8.7 km loop is a run of two halves: a sustained road climb followed by a technical trail descent. Starting from Hebden and running clockwise, you are on paved lanes from the outset. The route picks up a section of Lady Anne's Way for the main ascent towards Yarnbury, where you’ll gain the majority of the 160 metres of elevation. It’s a steady, consistent grind on a predictable surface, allowing you to find a rhythm without having to watch your foot placement.

At the top of the loop near Yarnbury, you’ll pass some disused lead mine workings before the character of the run changes entirely. The descent follows a path alongside Hebden Beck, taking you back towards the village. The surface here switches to grassy and rocky trail which is often uneven underfoot. This section requires more concentration, especially in wet conditions when the ground can become slick. It’s a good test of downhill control after the straightforward climb.

As the route is a complete circuit, you can begin at any point, though starting in Hebden gets the road climb out of the way first. It works well as a training run if you want to combine a solid hill effort with some practice on rougher ground. Due to the uneven, potentially slippery trail on the descent, trail shoes are the best choice. Road shoes will feel fine on the climb but will be a clear disadvantage on the second half.