Every winter I lead “Rugged Runs” for the Glasgow Triathlon Club (https://www.glasgowtriathlonclub.co.uk/)

A Rugged Run is a social paced 10k on a trail route. Preferably close to Glasgow so that people can get to it easily.

I’ll add the routes to this site so that they are available for anyone to run.

Starting Point: Edenmill Farm Shop (https://goo.gl/maps/tLTqyVNTqekoBhFN9)

Distance: 9.6KM

Elevation: 165m

Description:

In the early 1900’s Dumbarton had ran out of water sources in the Kilpatrick Hills. So it was decided to build one slightly further afield. Burncrooks Reservoir was constructed in 1914. Until that point there was only a minor river there.

Dumbarton’s gain was also a bonus for trail runners. The reservoir makes for a great looped run. You can’t get lost. As long as you have the reservoir to one side of you, you will always get back to the start of the loop.

Park at Edenmill. Run out of the car park towards the depot owned by the gardening company Route1. Head along the main road and then turn to your left up the road marked private.

Stay on this road. It is a steady climb. You come back this way so at least you finish with a downhill run.

Go through the gate next to the Scottish water plant. Keep heading up the hill.

Eventually you will come to a fork in the road. This is the start of the loop. I prefer to go right but either way is fine. If you do go left look out for the right turn that will take you to the reservoir.

If you go right follow the path until you come to the dam. There’s a stile to jump the fence here. Cross the boggy ground for 50m to join a path. FOllow the path all round the reservoir.

Rating: 9/10

The loop of Burncrook Reservoir loop is a popular route. I normally meet at least one other runner on the way round. There’s lots of options to extend or increase the difficulty of the route but I like this simple version of it.

You can find out more here https://www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk/2016/10/a-walk-around-burncrooks-reservoir-john-muir-way.html