Headingley and Kirkstall Three Parks 10km

This corker of a run route is just shy of 10-kilometres; fluctuating between park and road running.

You will run through three of the greenest parks – Woodhouse Moor, Burley Park & Beckett Park – in north-west Leeds. For any city runner this big dose of greenery will break up the gloomy grey of the concrete.

Route by the Hyde Park Harriers

Wanting to find your way to the start of the route? Here is a link for a Google Maps Directions page.

This route has a distance of 9.55km and an elevation gain of 178m.

The largest non-stop incline begins in the final third of of the route, and has a distance of 716m and an elevation gain of 34m. You can see this on the above elevation chart in red.

The largest continual decline is 252m long with an elevation drop of 17m which starts in the final third of the route. This is shown on the chart as green.

Route Highlights

Running through several parks all in the same run can have such a psychological boost for a city runner that usually treads the path of the road. Just 10-minutes in a green space can have a profound affect on your mental health.

Best Time To Run

Any time of the year suits running the Headingley & Kirkstall Three Parks 10km. That's because the route is run mainly on path and road. This reduces the chance of the weather making it difficult to finish.

Start by running up onto the Woodhouse Lane ring road. Veer slightly left north on Headingley Lane and onto Otley Road. Further on take the left on St Chads Drive up to Beckett Park. Run through Becketts Park and join Queenswood Road before dropping down onto Queenswood Drive, and turning left onto St Anne’s Drive.

Turns into St Michaels Lane and then left onto Stanmore Hill, take this road all along the top of Burley Park. If you’ve got the energy now’s the time for a quick detour lap.

Continue on straight across Cardigan Road and onto Brudenell Road up the hill and through Woodhouse Moor Park. At this final stage of the run you’re back onto the inner ring road; with the finish at the Edge around the corner.

If running this one at night you’ll need to bring some form of light as Beckett Park and Woodhouse Moor Park have no pathway lighting.

The route also covers several major roads including Headingley Lane. Keep an eye out when crossing as they can get quite busy during peak times.

Becketts Park

Becketts Park is a decent sized public park in Kirkstall around 3-miles and connects the areas of Headingley, West Park and Kirkstall.

Burley Park

Burley Park runs parallel to Cardigan and Burley Road. A compact park on a hill that provides cut throughs to people walking between Hyde Park and Burley.

Woodhouse Moor Park

Woodhouse Moor is a large green space divided into three distinct sections. It’s a popular spot on the edge of Leeds City Centre that receives millions of visits every year.

If you need a toilet break head to the Edge at the start or finish of your run to use the restrooms. The toilets can be found alongside the changing rooms in the building.

Parking can be a little tricky as it is almost bang in the middle of the city centre. The nearest parking will cost at the University car park, postcode: LS2 3AE (Google Map Directions).

If you are looking for a free place to park the best place may be the residential streets of Hanover Square and surrounding roads. Postcode LS3 1AP (Google Map Directions).

Oranaise is a café in the day and a restaurant at night. This unique little eatery offers the magic of Algeria, Morocco and Old Andalucía. Presenting a menu that will satisfy the runner in need of a little or big bite.