Tintern Wood and River Run

This anticlockwise loop is a run of two distinct halves: a tough climb and descent, followed by a flat riverside return. You’ll gain almost all of the 192m of elevation in the first section, which takes you on a sustained climb up through Caswell Wood. The ground here is mainly uneven woodland track, which is shaded but can be slick with mud and roots after rain. It’s a testing start that defines the run as a proper trail challenge, not a casual jog.

The payback for the climb is the descent from the top of Madget Hill down towards Brockweir. This section is technical and requires your full attention. The footing can be loose, with rocks and stones underfoot, so you’ll need to control your speed and watch your ankles. The terrain here confirms why trail shoes with good grip are the only sensible choice; road shoes would be a liability on this part of the route.

From Brockweir, the character of the run changes completely. The final third of the loop is a flat, fast section along the bank of the River Wye, taking you back to Tintern. This part is on grassy and earth paths that can get boggy, but it’s a welcome chance to get into a rhythm after the demanding hills. Running the loop in this direction gets the hard work done first, leaving you with a straightforward finish.