If you’re tired of running along the same route every single day, here’s how you can switch it up.

You love running. Fitness is your passion. But you’re oh-so-tired of cruising along the same downtrodden neighbourhood running route.

Despair no more, because we have eight of the UK’s most stunning running routes that you can hop, skip, and jump to. Or more realistically, take a short train ride to. Britain is in its Running Era (it’s like Hot Girl Summer but for runners) – and Gen Z is firmly in the lead. Who is even surprised, really?

New research reveals that nearly half (48%) of Gen Z are either in training for or planning to run a marathon, compared to a mere 9% of those over 45, sparking a record-breaking surge in race registrations across the UK.

Data from top train app Trainline depicts a nation on the move, with a third (33%) running at least several times a month. However, this running boom isn’t just about strapping on trainers and clocking up miles – it’s about how, where, and why people are running.

The ‘where’ is increasingly becoming an issue. Two out of five runners (40%) confess they’re tired of the same old routes, and a third of Gen Z runners (31%) find it difficult to access quality running spaces in their area – particularly in crowded cities where variety and greenery are scarce.

This is where new routes, fresh scenery, and a change of pace can come into play. Whether it’s catching a train to the seaside or exploring historic trail routes, keeping things interesting by trying new routes further afield is crucial to maintaining consistency and avoiding burnout.

Trainline has teamed up with elite runner Phily Bowden, who is competing in this year’s London Marathon, to share some of her favourite running routes across the UK for both marathoners and casual joggers – and they’re all conveniently accessible by train.

Phily said: “After the marathon, it’s so easy to feel a bit lost – you’ve spent months working towards one goal, and suddenly you’re asking, ‘what now?’ That’s exactly why I’ve partnered with Trainline – to help runners keep the momentum going by turning their next run into an adventure by rail.

“Some of my favourite routes – such as a tour along the Scottish seaside or a scenic trip around Swinley Forest – are all just a short train journey away. Hopping on a train is such an easy way to switch up your routine, explore somewhere new, and fall back in love with running.”

Here are eight scenic running routes easily accessible by train.

Nearest station: Longniddry Station for the start, North Berwick Station for the end

Phily’s insight: “We actually got the train to and from this run from Edinburgh which was super easy to do, so it feels like a great fit! Undulating elevation, paved paths at the start and finish, and grassy trails for the most part. There are beautiful sea views at the finish, so pick a sunny day and you can go for a dip at the end!”

Getting there and back:

Direct train from Edinburgh (Waverly) to Longniddry – average of 20 minutes

Direct train from North Berwick to Edinburgh (Waverly) – average of 34 minutes

2. South East London route (9 miles, London)

Nearest station: West Norwood Station

Phily’s insight: “This has an undulating elevation with some short sharp hills in there. The route is mostly pavements or public footpaths. Sights include lovely Dulwich Park where I did so many workouts in the year we lived here, a short (and rare find) trail section in the trees, and then a tour of Crystal Palace Park – there are some huge Dinosaur statues in there which are pretty fun.”

Getting there:

Direct train from London Victoria to West Norwood – average of 24 minutes

Direct chain from London Bridge to West Norwood – average of 29 minutes

3. Reading Green Park loop (1.7 miles, Reading)

Nearest station: Reading Green Park

Phily’s insight: “This route is really flat! Great for sessions – I did so many marathon sessions and shorter workouts here when we lived in Reading for just over a year. The road is very quiet and only used by the buses on the loop, local residents and business park users, so it’s usually very quiet on the weekends. I also trained here for my first Marathon in Seville so it has a special place in my running memories!”

Getting there:

Direct train from Reading to Reading Green Park – average of seven minutes

Train from London Paddington to Reading, then change for a train to Reading Green Park – average of 42 minutes

4. The Llandaff Fields loop (1.5 miles, Wales)

Nearest station: Waun-Gron Park Station (short 1.1 mile warm-up jog to route)

Phily’s insight: “This is a short grass loop in the heart of Cardiff that could be repeated if people want to get a 3 mile/5km run in. I did this as part of a cross country race a few years ago. Running on grass is a nice way to have a softer surface that’s a little kinder on the legs. There’s only one big hill and the rest of it is pretty flat.”

Getting there:

Direct train from Cardiff Central to Waun-Gron Park – average of eight minutes

From the station, head down Pencisely Road until you reach the entrance to the fields by The Rise.

5. Ladybower Reservoir loop (14 – 20 miles, Derbyshire)

Nearest station: Bamford Station (three mile warm-up jog to route)

Phily’s insight: “This is a beautiful loop in the Upper Derwent Valley in the heart of the Peak District. It’s hilly in parts so a pretty tough route but the views more than make up for it. Footing is a mixture of paved paths and packed gravel/trail. There is also a 14-mile loop that you can do by not doing the final 6 miles and there’s a small cafe and toilets near the start point.”

Getting there:

Direct train from Sheffield to Bamford – average of 22 minutes

Direct train from Manchester Piccadilly to Bamford – average of 52 minutes

As you exit the station, turn right and jog down Station Road, and then take a left at Water Lane, and then a right at Derwent Vly Way and you’ll enter a trail path which will lead you all the way down to the start of Ladybower Reservoir.

6. Swinley Forest loop (11 miles, Surrey)

Nearest station: Martins Heron Station (1.9 mile warm-up jog to route)

Phily’s insight: “This has an undulating elevation, gravel and dirt surface. It’s a beautiful forest and this is where I’d train every Saturday and Sunday as a junior from the age of 14 all the way up until I was 19 and went to uni. It’s also the location they filmed some of the Harry Potter films! There’s toilets and a cafe at the Look Out Discovery Centre near the start too.”

Getting there:

Direct train from Reading to Martins Heron – average of 23 minutes

Direct train from London Waterloo to Martins Heron – average of one hour nine minutes

From Martins Heron Station, head down New Forest Ride and enter the forest at Bog Lane. From here, you can run the path down until you rejoin at New Forest Ride. Follow the road until you hit Nine Mile Ride, after which you can re-enter the forest and head onto Phily’s route.

7. Middlewood Way & Canal (7 miles, Cheshire)

Nearest station: Marple Station (1 mile warm-up jog to route)

Phily’s insight: “This is a nice, mostly flat loop that takes you only slightly uphill at the start, along the locks in Marple and then along the Macclesfield Canal onto a packed dirt canalside path. You’ll see lots of narrowboats and pass by fields of cows and sheep. You then drop down onto the Middlewood Way which is a lovely long packed dirt footpath that used to be a railway years ago – there are even a couple of train stations, one at each end of the Middlewood Way, and one part way down too.”

Getting there:

Direct train from Manchester Piccadilly to Marple – average of 25 minutes

From Marple Station, turn right to head down Station Road, before taking a left at the fork down Lockside. Keep following the road until you hit a footpath on the other side of Junction Bridge, turning right. Follow this and cross over at Church Lane Bridge to hop onto the canal side and follow it down.

8. Windsor Great Park (12 miles, Windsor)

Nearest station: Windsor and Eton Central (one mile warm-up jog to route)

Phily’s insight: “This is a nice and flat route, all paved footpaths and shared roads in the Great Park. You might see horses, lots of cyclists, walkers and other runners. I used to run here a lot when I lived in Bracknell – one run we did through here, we saw Prince Phillip on horse drawn carriage and he said good morning! Key spots for me are Virginia Water lake – there’s a good cafe and toilets here as well and Savill Gardens – beautiful flowers!”

Getting there:

Direct train from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Central – average of one hour four minutes

From Windsor & Eton Central head down St Leonards Road and turn left before Windsor & Eton DFC which will lead you into the park entrance.