Brighton is a strong city for running. The seafront gives you miles of flat, uninterrupted tarmac in both directions. The South Downs start less than 20 minutes from the city centre and offer proper trail running with climbs, descents and views across Sussex. And the parkrun scene covers five locations from a flat promenade course to one of the hilliest parkruns in the country. This guide covers the main running routes in Brighton by type, with distances, surfaces, start points and what to expect on each one.
Table of Contents
Quick Reference Table
| Route | Distance | Surface | Terrain | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seafront West (Pier to Hove Lagoon) | 3 miles one way | Tarmac promenade | Flat | Easy road runs, beginners, sunrise runs |
| Undercliff Walk East (Marina to Saltdean) | 3 miles one way | Concrete path | Flat | Scenic coastal running, white cliffs |
| Preston Park Loop | 1.5 miles per loop | Tarmac paths | Flat | Interval training, short sessions |
| Devil’s Dyke | Various (3 to 8+ miles) | Trail, grass, chalk | Hilly | Trail running, hill training, views |
| Stanmer Park | Various (3 to 6+ miles) | Trail, woodland paths | Moderate hills | Off-road running, woodland trails |
The Routes
Seafront West: Palace Pier to Hove Lagoon
Start at the Palace Pier and run west along the seafront promenade towards Hove. The path is flat tarmac the entire way, with the sea on your left and the lawns and hotels on your right. You pass the derelict West Pier, the i360 tower, the Angel of Peace monument, Hove Lawns and then Western Lawns before reaching Hove Lagoon at roughly the 3-mile mark.
This is the most popular running route in Brighton for good reason. It is flat, wide, well lit in the evenings and has no road crossings. You can extend it beyond Hove Lagoon along Basin Road towards Shoreham for up to 5.5 miles one way, or turn it into a there-and-back for 6 to 11 miles depending on where you turn.
It can be busy with pedestrians, cyclists and dog walkers, especially on sunny weekends. Early mornings and weekday evenings are quieter. The sea breeze is constant and often comes from the west, so expect a headwind going out and a tailwind coming back.
Start point: Palace Pier, Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1TW
Undercliff Walk East: Brighton Marina to Saltdean
The Undercliff Walk is a 3-mile concrete path that runs from Brighton Marina east to Saltdean, hugging the coastline beneath the white chalk cliffs. It is flat, traffic-free and unlike any other running route in Brighton. The cliffs tower above you on one side and the sea is right beside you on the other.
Key landmarks along the way include Ovingdean Gap (about 1.2 miles, with a cafe and public toilets), Rottingdean (about 2.8 miles, a village with pubs and cafes) and Saltdean at the end. The path is fully paved and wide enough for runners and walkers to share comfortably.
You can run it as a 6-mile out-and-back, or take a bus back from Saltdean or Rottingdean. Routes 27, 14 and 12 all run along the clifftop road back to central Brighton. Be aware that at high tide or during storms, waves can splash over the sea wall and sections may close temporarily. Check conditions before heading out in winter.
Start point: Brighton Marina, east end of Madeira Drive
Preston Park Loop
Preston Park is Brighton’s largest urban park, about a mile inland from the seafront. The loop around the park is approximately 1.5 miles on tarmac paths, making it one of the best running routes in Brighton for interval training, tempo runs or a quick session when you do not have time for a longer route.
The park is flat with well-maintained paths, open green spaces, a cafe (the Chalet Cafe) and public toilets. It is easy to reach by bus or a short jog from Brighton station (about 15 minutes). Preston Park train station is roughly 5 minutes away on foot.
If you want to extend the run, you can combine the park with a route north towards Withdean or south to the seafront. The park is also home to one of Brighton’s five parkruns (more on those below).
Start point: Preston Park, Preston Road, Brighton BN1 6LA
Devil’s Dyke
Devil’s Dyke is where the flat city running ends and the trail running begins. It sits about 5 miles north of central Brighton on the edge of the South Downs National Park and offers some of the most challenging and rewarding running routes in Brighton.
The terrain is chalk grassland, steep hillsides and exposed ridgeline trails with panoramic views across Sussex to the coast. Routes vary from 3-mile loops around the Dyke itself to longer out-and-back runs along the South Downs Way. The climbs are steep and the descents can be slippery on chalk after rain, so trail shoes are recommended.
There is a car park and a pub (the Devil’s Dyke pub) at the top. By public transport, the number 77 bus runs from Brighton to Devil’s Dyke on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays all year, with weekday services usually added from mid-June to the end of August. Check the latest timetable before planning your run. Alternatively, running up to the Dyke from Brighton is a serious hill session in itself.
Start point: Devil’s Dyke Road car park, Brighton BN1 8YJ
Stanmer Park
Stanmer Park covers roughly 5,000 acres on the eastern edge of Brighton and sits within the South Downs National Park. The running here is woodland trails, open fields and gentle to moderate hills. It is less exposed and less steep than Devil’s Dyke, making it a good introduction to off-road running if you are used to the flat seafront.
A popular loop through the park and surrounding area is roughly 5 to 6 miles, passing through Stanmer Village, Highpark Wood and open downland with views back towards Brighton. The paths can get muddy and slippery after rain, particularly through the woodland sections, so trail shoes help.
Stanmer Park has a car park, public toilets, and One Garden Brighton (a cafe inside a restored walled garden) for post-run coffee. You can reach it by bus on the number 78 from central Brighton, or by train to Falmer station which is on the edge of the park.
Start point: Stanmer Park car park, Lewes Road, Brighton BN1 9SE, or Falmer station
Park runs
Brighton has five parkrun locations. All are free, all happen every Saturday at 9am, and all are 5K. Parkrun is one of the best free things to do in Brighton and a good way to explore different parts of the city. You need to register online at parkrun.org.uk and bring a printed or digital barcode to get a time.
Brighton and Hove parkrun at Hove Park is the original Brighton parkrun. The course is on tarmac paths through the park.
Hove Promenade parkrun at Hove Lawns is a flat, two-lap course along the tarmac seafront promenade between the Peace Statue and King’s Esplanade. Post-parkrun coffee is at The Lawns Cafe directly opposite the course.
Preston Park parkrun is a flat tarmac course in Preston Park with a short sharp hill and a long descent. Post-parkrun coffee is at the Chalet Cafe in the centre of the park. Preston Park station is about 5 minutes away on foot.
Bevendean Down parkrun is one of the hilliest parkruns in the country. It is a trail course on grass and dirt, well hidden behind houses in Bevendean. If you want a challenge and do not mind hills, this is the one. Take the number 49 bus from central Brighton.
East Brighton parkrun at East Brighton Park is a grass course near the racecourse, offering a different feel from the tarmac options.
Practical Tips
Wind. The seafront is almost always breezy. Westerly winds are the most common, so if you are running west you will likely have a headwind on the way out. Plan your route accordingly or use it as resistance training.
Surfaces. The seafront and Preston Park are tarmac. The Undercliff Walk is concrete. Devil’s Dyke and Stanmer Park are trail. Road shoes work for everything except the two trail routes, where trail shoes make a real difference, especially after rain.
Water and toilets. The Undercliff Walk has public toilets at Ovingdean Gap, Rottingdean and Saltdean. Preston Park has the Chalet Cafe and public toilets. Devil’s Dyke has the pub. Stanmer Park has One Garden Brighton. The seafront has public facilities at regular intervals.
Getting there without a car. Every route in this guide is reachable by bus or train. The seafront and Preston Park are within jogging distance of Brighton station. Falmer station serves Stanmer Park. The 77 bus serves Devil’s Dyke on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, with extra weekday services usually added in summer. The 49 bus serves Bevendean Down.
Running clubs. Brighton has several active running clubs and social running groups, including Brighton Outdoor Fitness which runs regular group sessions on the seafront, in Hove Park and at Devil’s Dyke. Check local listings if you want to run with others.
FAQs
What are the best running routes in Brighton?
The seafront west from the Palace Pier to Hove Lagoon is the most popular flat route. The Undercliff Walk east to Saltdean is the most scenic. Devil’s Dyke is the best for trail running and hill training. Preston Park is the best for shorter interval sessions.
Is Brighton good for running?
Yes. The flat seafront promenade gives you over 10 miles of uninterrupted tarmac running in both directions. The South Downs are less than 20 minutes from the centre for trail running. And five parkrun locations run every Saturday morning. The running routes in Brighton cover every type of runner.
Where are the parkruns in Brighton?
Brighton has five parkruns: Brighton and Hove (Hove Park), Hove Promenade (Hove Lawns), Preston Park, Bevendean Down (hilly trail) and East Brighton (grass). All run at 9am on Saturdays and are free.
Can I run the Undercliff Walk?
Yes. The Undercliff Walk is a 3-mile flat concrete path from Brighton Marina to Saltdean. It is popular with runners and is one of the most scenic running routes in Brighton. Check conditions in winter as high tides and storms can cause closures.
Where can I do trail running near Brighton?
Devil’s Dyke and Stanmer Park are the two main trail running areas, both within the South Downs National Park. Devil’s Dyke is steeper and more exposed. Stanmer Park is gentler with more woodland cover. Both are reachable by public transport from central Brighton.
Final Thoughts
The running routes in Brighton split into two clear categories: flat coastal runs along the seafront and Undercliff Walk, and hilly trail runs on the South Downs at Devil’s Dyke and Stanmer Park. Preston Park sits in the middle as a practical urban option for shorter sessions. Add five parkruns on Saturday mornings and there is enough variety to train for anything from a 5K to a marathon without running the same route twice.
