Where Is the Most Picturesque Place to Run

[runningnotwalking]

Pictures welcome but must be somewhere you have either run or plan to.

[sofaqueen Graduate]

Draycote Water, a reservoir 5 miles in diameter just outside Dunchurch that was completed the year I was born. It is the place I go to run in the evenings and pictures don't do it justice - to go and see the beautiful countryside surrounding it, feel the breeze, watch the birds in the trees and in the water, take in the smell of the fresh air, watch the fishermen and see the sun as it sets over the water makes me feel so lucky I have somewhere so beautiful to run. A pity I ruin the peace and tranquility by huffing and puffing around it!

[Pat184 Graduate in reply to sofaqueen]

Thanks for the reminder of Draycote Water, have not been for years , must have a ride out soon. Pat

[sofaqueen Graduate in reply to Pat184]

Pat, they have a lovely visitor's centre there now so you can stop for a drink/bite to eat once you've done your cycle ride. I have nothing against dogs but the fact that people can't take dogs there means it stays lovely and clean too. Hope you do manage to get back to there.

[Hidden in reply to sofaqueen]

Coming from Rugby, I know it well ~although now living in Devon I have never run round Draycote.

Next time we are up visiting my dear old mum, I may just pop over and give it a shot.

[runningnotwalking Graduate]

That sounds a great place to run SQ and I can understand why you enjoy running there. It must be tempting to stop sometimes just to take in the view.

I guess running near water helps in the heat too ?

We were travelling through some great scenery in the north of Scotland last February and as someone who runs around a sports pitch, remembering that is what prompted my post.

Enjoy Draycote

[sofaqueen Graduate in reply to runningnotwalking]

I walk round it too and that's the chance to take in the beauty of it - when I'm running it takes all my concentration to keep one foot going in front of the other. You do get a nice breeze there which was lovely in that roasting weather a few weeks ago but inhaling midges can be a bit of a problem in May/June time. I know I'm really so lucky to have a place like that on the doorstep and it's great for my boys who love cycling too - a safe place with no cars where they can really race round in the style that teenagers do, trying to beat each other's PB. Sadly as the nights draw in I won't be going there but will run on the local pavements instead but hoping that I'll still be running next Spring and I'll be back there again.

I haven't been to Scotland for years but remember going as a child and the beauty of the place has stayed with me. Perhaps you could use your powers of imagination to transport you back to that scenery when you're running

[runningnotwalking Graduate in reply to sofaqueen]

The small track road up and the beach at Mellon Udrigle would probably make this somewhere I would like to go running but there are so many to choose from in Scotland.

aultbea-woodcraft.homecall....

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Check out Swanscot's post today with plenty of stunning pictures of Scotland.

[swanscot Graduate]

I'm really lucky and live in the north of Scotland, so I'd say ANY of my runs. My regular short runs are along pretty wee single track roads or country estate tracks. I've shared some of these on the 5x50 set on Flickr: flickr.com/photos/swan-scot...

I've had some wonderful longer off-road runs including:

* Loch an Eilean in the Cairngorms National Park: swanscot.wordpress.com/2013...

* Loch Ness: swanscot.wordpress.com/2013...

*Along the Caledonian Canal: swanscot.wordpress.com/2013...

* Mallaig (opposite Skye): swanscot.wordpress.com/2013...

*On the Isle of Skye: swanscot.wordpress.com/2013...

* The other end of the Caledonain Canal: swanscot.wordpress.com/2013...

* The hills above Loch Ness: swanscot.wordpress.com/2013...

* Along the Moray coast: flickr.com/photos/swan-scot...

* Near Carrbridge in the Cairngorms National Park: flickr.com/photos/swan-scot...

[runningnotwalking Graduate in reply to swanscot]

Wow ! You are indeed. Some very beautiful places to run or walk. I like the snow and mist in some of the 50 images. Surprised you could see where you were going..

[crox Graduate]

Loved running around Saxon in Switzerland and Kamnik in Slovenia a couple of weeks ago, mountains in the background both places

Particularly enjoyed running through a thunderstorm in Saxon. (not sure what that says about me...)

[runningnotwalking Graduate in reply to crox]

Sounds exciting. I've yet to visit Switzerland but I imagine running in the thunderstorm would probably improve my speed. Thanks for posting.

[pinkhat Graduate]

Shell Bay, nr Elie in Fife, over the hill, round the point then back through the woods - but much better when no holidaymakers about! Would post pic but don't seem to have the option ...

[runningnotwalking Graduate in reply to pinkhat]

Looking at pictures online it seems a great place for running. Wide open space and scenery. Maybe changing the road signs to face the wrong way once in a while will reduce the volume of tourists.

[pinkhat Graduate in reply to runningnotwalking]

Nice idea

[Hidden]

That's a difficult one. Not because there are no great places to run, but simply because there are so many.

I love running by water, so I nominate the run from Shipley bridge car park to Avon Dam on the southern edge if Dartmoor. It's quiet, shady in parts, open moor in others and you can run on the South West Water road, or along it on the grass. The river Avon gently burbles along side, and the ponies and sheep keep you company.

My other absolute favorite is along the coast by Bedruthan Steps in North Cornwall. On a clear morning with the gulls circling and crying; the waves crashing on the rock below, there is finer place to be.

Where ever you run, just remember to enjoy it and soak up the feeling of peace that running brings.

[runningnotwalking Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Bedruthan Steps is a great place although I've only run there once to escape the incoming tide... I can see why you like that area of Cornwall though.

[Fletchasketch Graduate]

I live in San Francisco and I run a route around the Crissy Field lagoon. You get a lovely sea breeze although there are some associated risks from it being a popular route for people to cycle the Golden Gate bridge, many of who have rented bikes and aren't too steady on them! But leaping out of the way of the cyclists is definitely worth it for the view: esassoc.com/projects/crissy...

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I want my first Marathon to be the Paris one...now that would be amazing to see all the sights...and also take your mind off your achy braky legs by looking at the sights and watching all the French people ...alternatively the run I did in Cornwall every other day by the river was amazing. I am hoping the half marathon I'm signed up for at the eden project will be amazing....edenproject.com/visit-us/wh...

[runningnotwalking Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Paris would be great. Good luck at Eden.