Bath is one of the best cities in the UK to run in. Within a few minutes of the city centre you can be on a flat canal towpath, a scenic riverside trail, a challenging hillside loop or a shaded off-road greenway. Whether you’re a complete beginner looking for a gentle first run or a seasoned marathoner after something more demanding, Bath has a route for you.
We’ve put together this guide from our shop on the High Street, right next to Bath Abbey. Most of these routes are easily accessible from the city centre, with a couple of gems just outside the city that are well worth the short journey.
Bath is also home to the Bath Half Marathon, held each March on a famously flat course through the city streets. It’s one of the most popular half marathons in the UK and a fantastic event for runners of all levels. Many of the routes below are perfect for Half Marathon training.
1. Royal Victoria Park Loop
Distance: 1.5 – 3 miles | Terrain: Tarmac paths and grass | Difficulty: Easy | Best for: Beginners, short runs
Royal Victoria Park is the perfect starting point if you’re new to running or want a quick lunchtime loop. Located on the north-western edge of the city centre, the park covers 57 acres of open space with well-maintained paths and minimal traffic. A single loop of the main park is around 1.5 miles – do it twice and you have a comfortable 5K. The Royal Crescent sits right alongside the park, so you get one of Bath’s most iconic views thrown in for free.
Shoe recommendation: Any road running shoe works perfectly here. The HOKA Clifton or Brooks Ghost are ideal for the mix of tarmac paths and occasional grass.
2. River Avon Trail
Distance: 2 – 8 miles | Terrain: Tarmac and compacted path | Difficulty: Easy | Best for: All levels, longer runs
Running along the River Avon is one of Bath’s most rewarding experiences. Head east from Pulteney Bridge and you’ll find a largely flat, well-surfaced path that follows the river through some beautiful scenery. You can run as far as Bathampton (around 3-4 miles from the city centre) where there’s a pub for a post-run stop, or continue further towards Bradford on Avon if you’re after a longer effort. The out-and-back format means you can turn around whenever you like – perfect for controlling your distance.
Shoe recommendation: Road shoes are fine for this route. The surface is generally good underfoot, though it can get muddy in sections after heavy rain – worth having a pair of trail shoes like the HOKA Speedgoat if you’re running in winter.
3. Kennet and Avon Canal Path
Distance: 2 – 10 miles | Terrain: Towpath (can be muddy) | Difficulty: Easy | Best for: Long runs, scenery
The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath heads east out of Bath through Sydney Gardens – Bath’s oldest park, dating back to 1795 – and continues all the way towards Bradford on Avon and beyond. It’s a beautiful, peaceful run away from traffic, with the canal on one side and open countryside on the other as you leave the city behind. The surface can be muddy after rain so trail shoes are worth considering in autumn and winter. An out-and-back run to Bathampton and back gives you a comfortable 8 miles.
Shoe recommendation: Trail shoes recommended in wet conditions – the HOKA Speedgoat handles the towpath surface well in any weather. In dry summer conditions a road shoe is fine.
4. Bath Skyline – National Trust Loop
Distance: 6 miles | Terrain: Mixed trail, grass and woodland | Difficulty: Moderate – challenging | Best for: Trail runners, experienced runners
This is Bath’s showpiece run and one of the best trail routes in the South West. The National Trust Bath Skyline is a circular route that climbs up from the city onto the hills above, taking in sweeping panoramic views over Bath, ancient woodland, open meadows and the Cotswold Way. At around 6 miles with significant elevation gain it’s not for beginners, but if you’re a more experienced runner it’s an absolute must. Access the route from Bath Spa station or Widcombe – both are easy walking distance from the city centre.
The Bath Skyline is also home to Bath Skyline parkrun, held every Saturday morning at Quarry Rock Gardens, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 6EF. It’s one of the most scenic parkruns in the country and a brilliant way to experience the route with other runners for the first time. Free to enter – just register at parkrun.org.uk.
Shoe recommendation: Trail shoes essential. This is exactly the kind of route the HOKA Speedgoat was designed for – the Vibram Megagrip outsole handles the mixed terrain and wet grass sections with confidence.
5. Two Tunnels Greenway
Distance: 2 – 10 miles | Terrain: Paved off-road path | Difficulty: Easy – moderate | Best for: All levels, unique experience
The Two Tunnels Greenway follows the old Somerset and Dorset Railway line out of Bath through two historic tunnels – the shorter Devonshire Tunnel (409m) and the impressive Combe Down Tunnel, which at 1,672m is the longest cycling and running tunnel in the UK. The path is paved and well-maintained, making it suitable for road shoes, and the tunnels are lit with atmospheric floor lighting and even have music playing inside. It’s a genuinely unique running experience. Access from Bath Spa or Oldfield Park station – head south out of the city and follow the signs.
Shoe recommendation: Road shoes work perfectly here – the surface is paved throughout. The Brooks Ghost 17 or HOKA Clifton 10 are ideal.
6. Bristol and Bath Railway Path
Distance: 4 – 15 miles | Terrain: Paved off-road path | Difficulty: Easy | Best for: Long runs, marathoners in training
The Bristol and Bath Railway Path follows the former Midland Railway line for 15 miles between the two cities. Starting from the Bath end near Bath Spa station, the first 4-5 miles run alongside the River Avon before heading through the suburbs and out into open countryside. It’s flat, traffic-free, and well-surfaced – making it a favourite for marathon training runs. You can run as far as you like and turn back, or if you’re feeling ambitious run all the way to Bristol and get the train home.
Shoe recommendation: Road shoes are perfect for this route. If you’re using it for long training runs, a cushioned shoe like the HOKA Bondi or Brooks Glycerin will help protect your legs on the longer efforts.
7. Solsbury Hill
Distance: 4 – 6 miles | Terrain: Trail, grass and footpaths | Difficulty: Challenging | Best for: Experienced runners, hill training
Made famous by Peter Gabriel’s 1977 song, Solsbury Hill sits just north-east of Bath and offers one of the most rewarding runs in the area. The climb is steep and the terrain is rugged, but the views from the Iron Age hill fort at the top are spectacular on a clear day – you can see across Bath, the Avon Valley and far into the Cotswolds. Head out via Batheaston and pick up the footpath to the summit. It’s a tough run but immensely satisfying, and the descent back into the city is a great way to finish.
Shoe recommendation: Trail shoes essential – the terrain is uneven and can be slippery in wet weather. The HOKA Speedgoat or a comparable trail shoe is strongly recommended.
What Shoes Do You Need for Running in Bath?
Bath’s variety of routes means it’s worth having at least two pairs of running shoes if you run regularly:
A road shoe for the city paths, canal towpath in dry conditions, Two Tunnels, and the Railway Path. The Brooks Ghost 17, HOKA Clifton 10 and Brooks Glycerin 23 are all excellent choices depending on how much cushioning you prefer.
A trail shoe for the Skyline, Solsbury Hill, and the canal path in wet weather. The HOKA Speedgoat is our most popular trail shoe and handles everything Bath’s off-road routes can throw at it.
Not sure which shoe is right for you? Book a gait analysis at Running Bath – we’re right in the city centre on the High Street and can help you find the perfect fit for the routes you love.
Running in Bath – FAQs
Royal Victoria Park is the best starting point for beginners – it’s flat, traffic-free, and a single loop is around 1.5 miles. The River Avon path is also excellent for beginners as it’s largely flat and you can turn back at any point.
Yes – the River Avon trail, Kennet and Avon Canal path, Two Tunnels Greenway, and Bristol and Bath Railway Path are all largely flat and great for easy or long runs. Bath does have hills but you can easily avoid them if you prefer flat running.
It depends on the routes you run. For city paths, the canal in dry conditions, and the Railway Path, road shoes are fine. For the Bath Skyline, Solsbury Hill, and the canal in wet weather, trail shoes make a significant difference. If you’re unsure what you need, pop into Running Bath and we’ll advise you based on where you run.
The Bath Half Marathon, held each March, is one of the most popular half marathons in the UK and is a great event for all levels. The course is largely flat and the city atmosphere makes it a memorable race. If you’re training for it, the Railway Path and River Avon routes are ideal for your longer training runs.
Running Bath is Bath’s specialist running store, located on the High Street next to Bath Abbey. We stock the full range of road and trail running shoes from HOKA, Brooks, Asics, On Running, Adidas and more. We offer gait analysis in-store to help you find the right shoe for your running style and the routes you love.
Photo by Toby Osborn on Unsplash