Route finding and advice

Thought I’d start a thread where we can ask for advice on routes whether domestic or abroad. Whether you’re in the area for work or holiday or whatever, it’s nice to get a bit of local knowledge which can be missed when just using the usual plotting websites!

4 Likes

So … first entry from me.

I’m in Tonbridge next week. Going to have time to get out for a short run either the evening that I arrive or the morning before the meeting. Looks like there are some trails along the River Medway. I can pretty much head either East or West. Will probs just do an out and back, so I minimise the risk of getting lost on paths that barely exist/being stuff on boring back lanes for half the run etc.

Does anyone know the area? Looks like I can take the Medway Valley Walk east or the Eden Valley Walk to the west (both part of the Wealdway). I’m guessing the path will be pretty muddy with all this rain!

2 Likes

Strava premium :man_shrugging:t2:

Garmin connect offers similar but nowhere near as good!

2 Likes

OS maps for route suggestions for me

2 Likes

If I was setting off from Tonbridge I’d head west towards Penshurst and hit the Surrey Hills. Four Elms, Toys Hill, Bough Beech, Chartwell, out towards Dormansland… There’s a square (triangle?) between the M25, A22 and A26/A21 that I’ve cycled, driven and motorcycled endlessly, it’s all pretty good.

2 Likes

Strava heatmap with running selected would be my first port of call

1 Like

Only running, so can’t go that far I’m afraid. Probs should’ve said that in the intro! But thanks :grin:

@tunster @jeffb @Sowler absolutely i always use both of those. But just because a route is popular, doesn’t mean it’s any good! :joy: Stuff like parkrun or being on a commuter path make it look popular on the heat maps, but could be dull AF. Or completely underwater after heavy rain etc hence looking for a local angle.

:+1:

4 Likes

check out alltrails.com. - showing a couple of trails for Tonbridge

2 Likes

Thanks … but see above!!

:roll_eyes:
:rofl:

For clarity - I know how to find routes on popular mapping services! :grin: There are loads of routes in my local area that would come up on said services, but I can tell you, as a local, which ones are shit and which ones are nice at different times of the year.

Might have to delete this thread! :smile:

1 Like

No the thread is a good idea, I asked for similar last week with Bourg d’Oisans - (Doonie coming up trumps there)

No one’s obviously been running around Tonbridge @gingerbongo !

3 Likes

I don’t know Tonbridge well enough to map a run. But there is a Land Rover dealer where Truckasaurus is from. :slightly_smiling_face:

3 Likes

So it would seem! :joy: :joy:

1 Like

Get yourself to gods country and I’ll let you know :grin:

And a few possibilities in the lakes.

2 Likes

Sorry Adam, forgot to post these last week. Hopefully you’ll have access, a couple are just out and back up the Galibier or Croix der Fer.

There’s some weird loop I did going up the Alpe and back down, and the original ADH tri loop but it also includes the run as I’m not sure my Garmin could easily switch activity in those days!

https://www.strava.com/activities/3283587669

https://www.strava.com/activities/3283587588

https://www.strava.com/activities/3283588194

https://www.strava.com/activities/53852918

1 Like

Ah no worries Jeff, thank you.

1 Like

Which may be a recommendation in itself

2 Likes

Yes indeed!! Unfortunately I didn’t choose the location! :grin:

Doing my Feb trip to central London in a single day, so won’t need to seek out routes for that one.

There’s a fantastic half marafun there, but its closed roads and mainly country lanes so not much use outside of that. They have a nice outdoor pool as well … oh yer

1 Like

That’s Paddock Wood half?? Did that a few times - very flat course with the only “hills” being railway bridges.

1 Like

no Ive done that as well, that’s reasonable flat for the area, there’s a tonbridge half that started around 2010 iirc. Very hilly, up and down all the way with maybe half a mile of flatish in the middle. I did first 4 or 5 of them. Goes out to Leigh Village, big loop around Chiddingston, coming back through village and back to Tonbridge. Beautiful course for road.