Eight great running routes around Torbay

We all know Torbay is a wonderful place to live, blessed with natural elevations that provide us with stunning scenery and views to blow the mind.

There is, however, a sporting setback to our hilly haven. For the local running enthusiast, all the peaks and troughs around our Naturally Inspiring Bay can make it a tough terrain to pursue their hobby.

Despite the challenges, here is a selection of eight great running routes around Torbay.

The Hopes Nose Horror

This seven-mile loop involves over 900ft of elevation but the views are hopefully worth it. The run starts and finishes at the Beacon Quay car park, with an early view of the London Bridge rock formation.

After some steady climbing, you will get to the magical Thatcher’s Point and then Hopes Nose, just under three miles from the start. The run then weaves down to Anstey’s Cove, one of the favourite little beaches in Torbay.

You complete the run with a trek back through Wellswood and then return on the road past Meadfoot Beach, finishing at the Beacon Quay car park.

The Livermead Loop

This run of just over eight miles will be familiar to those who have taken part in the Torbay Half-Marathon, as it follows the well-worn route from Torquay to Paignton.

The run starts at Paignton Train Station and takes you along the seafronts of Paignton and Preston, pretty forgiving in terms of elevation. It is then down toward Livermead Beach and a quick loop around Corbyn Head before heading back to Paignton.

You then head back on the same route to finish at Paignton Train Station.

The Goodies of Goodrington

A run that measures slightly under nine miles and includes 600ft of elevation, you start and finish at Goodrington Sands, heading along the coast toward Brixham.

Beautiful Broadsands is one of the early highlights and you then run through the quaint village of Churston, loop around Battery Gardens in Brixham and back inland a little through Churston before returning to the coast road back toward Goodrington.

The Brixham Battle

A relatively gentle run of less than five miles, the Brixham Battle is a celebration of Fish Town.

You start and finish at Alma Road Bus Station, running through Furzeham and follow the coast around to Brixham Marina and along the Breakwater. Keep on going toward Berry Head, loop around by Ashhole Cavern and back along the Brixham coast to your finishing point.

The Cockington Cracker

It is all about the wonderful woodlands of Cockington for this run of 7.29 miles, starting and finishing in Cockington Village.

The route takes you out towards Totnes Road and then around in a loop adjacent to Duchy Avenue. You then come back to Cockington, run around Lady Park and head toward Nut Bush Land before returning to the start.

Remarkable Rea Hill

The longest and toughest route in our selection, this run is a daunting 15.7 miles and involves almost 2,500ft of elevation. It is definitely not the choice for novice runners but one to savour for those with plenty of experience.

You start at Lands Road Bus Station and run through the Berry Head Nature Reserve, following the South West Coast Path and enjoying superb views from the Inner Froward Point Battery and Lookout Station.

Beautiful Babbacombe

Another run blessed with spectacular scenery, this route starts in St Marychurch Precinct and takes you along Babbacombe Downs, loop around Walls Hill and return to the Precinct.

Given some of the tougher challenges in this selection, this is a gentle run but still plenty of ups and downs to get the juices flowing.

The Seafront Spectacular

Begin at Torquay Harbour and run past Princess Theatre, all along the Seafront to the Grand Hotel, and back again.

This is another fairly gentle route and, if you’re feeling fit, one that can be done twice to make it more of a challenge. There is limited elevation and it is a fabulous run for taking in the atmosphere of Torquay Seafront.

Pictures from Wikimedia and there are a load more superb local running routes on www.komoot.com