Mile Oak and Perching Hill

This is a single 12km loop on the north-western edge of Brighton, taking you up onto the South Downs. It’s a proper trail run, with about 85% of the distance on unpaved surfaces, so you'll want trail shoes for this one. The mix of grass, rocky patches, and chalk path can get slippery, particularly after rain. As it’s a straightforward loop and the start is accessible, you can pick it up at almost any point.

The 170m of climbing is mostly front-loaded. You’ll head up from the edge of town on the paved Mile Oak Road, which soon gives way to trail as you join the South Downs Way. The ascent is steady rather than steep, a sustained effort that takes you up towards Perching Hill. The footing here is variable, switching between hard-packed chalk track and grassy fields, so you will need to watch your step.

Once you are over the top of Perching Hill, the character of the run changes. The descent by way of Summers Deane is smoother and less technical underfoot, following tracks through open fields. It’s a good place to get into a rhythm and let your legs turn over faster as you drop back down towards your starting point. It's a reliable training route that gives a solid taste of South Downs running without needing to go far out of the city.