Want an off-road run close to Camborne and Redruth with plenty to look at along the way? The Great Flat Lode Trail is a 7.5-mile (12km) circular route around Carn Brea, passing through farmland, heathland and Cornwall’s former mining landscape. It is mostly off-road, but it is not a flat, traffic-free loop: expect some steep sections and take care wherever the route meets a road.
The full circuit makes a satisfying longer outing. If 7.5 miles is more than you want today, you can use a section of the trail for an out-and-back instead. Here is what to know before setting off.
Find the route before you run
Start with Cornwall Council’s downloadable Mining Trails guide and map. It shows the Great Flat Lode as part of a wider network, so it is worth keeping the map handy at junctions rather than assuming every connecting path stays on the circuit. The council’s Mineral Tramways page gives an overview of the trail and its links to other routes.
You can join the loop at more than one point. The council guide lists parking at South Wheal Frances, Dolcoath Mine and King Edward Mine. Choose an access point that suits your journey, then locate it on the map before you leave. Treat the guide as a route-planning aid, not a promise that a particular parking space or facility will be available when you arrive.
Because it is a circuit, you can run it in either direction. There is no need to hunt for an official ‘start line’: what matters is recognising your entry point so you can find your way back.
What does the full loop feel like?
The name can be misleading if you are choosing a run by how gentle it sounds. ‘Flat Lode’ refers to the angle of the tin deposit beneath this area, not the gradient under your trainers. Cornwall Council describes the route as having some steep sections, with most of the trail away from roads.
The variety is part of the appeal. You move between open ground and old mining sites, with engine houses giving the run a character you will not find on an ordinary pavement loop. The trail follows part of the former Basset Mine Tramroad. For a glimpse of why those buildings are here, it is worth slowing down occasionally rather than treating every mile as a race effort.
Surfaces include unsurfaced paths, and conditions can change after rain. Choose footwear you are comfortable using on uneven ground, allow more time than you would for the same distance on roads, and take care at crossings. This is a shared-use trail, so leave space for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Prefer fewer miles? Run a section and turn back
You do not have to complete the whole circuit to enjoy it. Pick one of the mapped access points, follow the waymarked trail for a distance that suits you, then retrace your steps. An out-and-back keeps the navigation simple and lets you decide how far you go. Note your starting point and turn around with enough time to get back comfortably; a side path into another part of the mining trails network may take you much farther than intended.
If you would rather follow a club-planned shorter route, our Run Schedule includes a separate 5-mile Pengegon/Beacon route on Plotaroute. That is a road-based club route in the local area, not a shortened map of the Great Flat Lode Trail. Use the council guide for the trail itself, and check the schedule for whichever club route is coming up next.
Enjoy the mining landscape responsibly
The remains of old mines are fascinating, but they are not shortcuts or places to explore mid-run. Stay on the waymarked paths and keep clear of structures and land beyond them. Visit Cornwall’s trail overview notes that some mining remains are on private land and may be unstable. Cornwall Council’s guidance also asks trail users to take extra care at road crossings and be considerate of other people using the paths.
Carn Runners know this landscape well: part of our 35-mile anniversary relay followed the Great Flat Lode. Your own visit need not be an epic, though. A steady section with time to take in the views is just as good a way to discover what is on our doorstep.
Come for a run with us
If exploring a new route sounds better with company, have a look at the upcoming club runs. Our main Wednesday club night normally meets at Camborne Cricket Club at 6.30pm, ready to run at 6.45pm; check the schedule because some sessions take place elsewhere.
New to Carn Runners? You can find details of four free trial nights on our Membership Application page. If you are unsure which session to try, get in touch or email hello@carnrunners.co.uk. We would be glad to help you find a good place to start.
