![](http://www.sacredsteps.co.uk/cooltext.jpg)
"Each step forward has a sacred meaning of its own" Sri Chinmoy
Cheddar & Axbridge Trail Run - August 2021
![](01_2021/chedresbest.jpg)
I hadn't run at all since the Iron-distance triathlon in July, so when Kokila told me she was looking for somewhere different to run her 8 mile training run (stepping stone to a half marathon) the discussion turned to Rockland Lake. That's the course where we have both run a marathon made up of 3-mile loops on a traffic-free road around a lake in New York state, and for years we've wanted to try and recreate that in the UK. Chew Valley and Blagdon lakes don't have a flat or continuous circuit, but I had a feeling that Cheddar Reservoir did so after a bit of googling we headed down there to run a lap of the "lake", and out-and-back to mediaeval Axbridge and then a second lap in reverse.
The reservoir itself is a vaguely circular sheet of water with lovely views over the levels one way and the Mendips the other. The surface is gravel in places and tarmac in others - not fast, but definitely flat! We headed off slowly and soon got soaked through by a summer shower, but the skies were clearing as we completed the loop and took a dirt track into the woods to find the Strawberry Line.
The old railway wound through woodland for a mile or more before we came out on the roads leading into Axbridge.
![](01_2021/chedresaxapproach.jpg)
![](01_2021/chedresaxbridge.jpg)
After Axbridge the trail opened out more and we were treated to some glorious Big Skies over Somerset.
![](01_2021/chedrestrailwet.jpg)
![](01_2021/chedrestrailview.jpg)
As it was a training run we took it easy and were able to soak up the views and pause for the odd picture. Once the GPS told us we had 4 miles in the bank we turned and ran the route in reverse, with a different set of views down towards Wedmore and Glastonbury.
I
![](01_2021/chedresend.jpg)
A very tranquil and beautiful experience.
Sacred Steps Home
|