This year Love Trails festival turned 10 years old, and it has really grown up. I’ve been lucky to go to quite a few of the younger versions of the festival. Every year it gets bigger and better. And it’s something you notice as soon as you get there. They restrict the numbers of tickets to 5,000 people, so it always has an incredible vibe, but the number of brands available, and the options of activities and entertainment grows every year.

Read on for our guide to Love Trails running festival…

Love Trails festival guide

What is Love Trails?

It’s a four-day outdoor festival at the beginning of July that combines trail running, camping, adventure, live music, wellness and talks. As a hybrid event, it’s not just a place to run or race in the trails, and not just an outdoor festival with awesome evening entertainment. It combines both into, well, the perfect relationship.

Who is Love Trails for?

Anyone who loves running, trail running, the great outdoors and an active lifestyle. And anyone who wants to combine these with sky-blasting entertainment once the miles have been run. It’s a very friendly festival with runners of all different ages.

When and where is it?

It’s held on the most stunning Gower peninsula, at West Castle Farm in Llanrhidian, right next to Weobley Castle. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect trail running location. The site is vast, and farmer’s fields are transformed into a festival town.

Next year’s event is taking place on 8th-12th July 2027.

What’s the camping like?

There are different areas to camp that surround the main festival area. Each camping sector has its own toilets and hot showers. Expect queues after a big event, but if you can chill in the sun for a while, they quickly die down. Opt for a premium ticket and you get the best camping area, private showers and toilets, plus a recovery lounge.

Small gas stoves are allowed in the camping field if you’d like to cook your own food. There are also lots of great food vendors widely available at the festival.

What activities are on offer?

In the main festival site you’ll find lots of tents and stages with different activities (and brands offering exciting things – more on this below!).

The main entertainment is the music and running, of course. Races and run happen all day every day, and the live music runs pretty constantly too, with bands as well as DJ sets. This year’s music was eclectic and incredible, especially the Saturday night.

There are also several stretch zones where you can slow down for endless yoga and movement classes. The are talks, workshops and discussions available each day, too. There are more than you can ever go to! You can line up activities all day, every day if you’re determined to get the most out of your long weekend.

It’s a good idea to download the app before you set off to the festival, book on to your preferred race, and check out the activities on each day.

What is the running like?

Every ticket gives you entry into one of their chipped timed races. You can choose from a 5K, 10K, 16K, the Salomon Gower Classic 27K or their ultra race. But that’s just the basics.

On top of this you can turn up to unlimited guided trail runs and hikes, from very early for a sunrise shuffle, to sundowner views of the estuary. Many of these are put on by grassroots run crews from around the UK. There is a route, distance and difficulty range for everyone, regardless of their ability. It’s also essential to remember that with trail running, walking is always OK. There is so much less pressure than road races, and conversations and friends will be made on whichever runs you decide to try.

Do you have to be a good trail runner to go?

Not at all! There are fast runners in the races – and they are amazing at what they do. But there are lots of slower, shorter guided runs and hikes that you can opt for if you’re not competitive and your focus is meeting people.

You can also have an incredible weekend without feeling you have to sign up to any race at all, if this is your first foray into trail running. There are family, children, people with dogs, as well as groups and solo adventurers. It’s got something for everyone. And you can go wild swimming and paddleboarding.

What events do you recommend?

The Jubel Beer Relay World Championships is a highlight for us every year – whether watching or participating! It draws huge crowds as teams of four and solo competitors race a chaotic 400m course, drinking a can of beer after each lap. You’ll need to enter this event as soon as possible as it sells out every year. It’s got to be one of the funniest events you can watch, too. Even if you’re chilling in your tent, you will be able to listen to the fun.

There’s an onsite outdoor spa that we’d recommend checking out, too, which takes your relaxation after a race to a whole new level.

Should I buy a ticket?

Only if you really, really love being outside, running, being around other runners, enjoying lots of entertainment after your run, oh and running!

Basically, for us, it’s everything we ever wished for in the most exquisite location possible. You’ll make new friends, try so many things you’ve not done before and have a lot of fun in the process.

Honestly, if you’re thinking about going, we’d recommend signing up as soon as possible as 50% of next year’s tickets sold in the first week after this year’s event.

What should I wear?

This year I was lucky enough to be at the festival with The North Face. It was their first time at Love Trails, but you’d have thought they had always been a part of the magic. At their stand you could swap out your trainers to try their trail shoes, and they had workshops every day where you could customise your own bandana. They also hosted two hiking workshops, where you could take the pace down and spend hours out on the trail without having to run.

They also have some great kit that’s ideal for wearing to a trail running festival, or just out on the trails in general:

TNF Summit Pacesetter Short 3-in-1
£65

These excel in storage, with lots of mesh stash space in the waistband for easy and quick retrieval of fuel. Their internal brief liner means no chafing, rubbing or annoyance from underwear. These are perfect for race weekends, hiking or camping as they’re light for hot days, and dry almost instantly when you wash them.
thenorthface.com

Sunriser Tee
£45

The short, split hem on this tee keeps you cool and the FlashDry fabric keeps you dry, wicking away sweat from your skin’s surface. It’s designed for hot summer trails, with a weightless feel, even in a heatwave. Comfortable enough to wear for any activity.
thenorthface.com

Bettaforca Lightweight Down Hooded Jacket
£280
We’ve had a few heat waves this year, but normally you’ll need to pack at least one down jacket for a race, festival or adventure for the cooler nights. This has to be your top choice as it packs down ridiculously small into its pocket. The warmth it gives compared to its weight is unrivalled. A high zip, cuffs and hood, plus its slender fit, protect from the wind and the internal chest pocket provides the security you expect.
thenorthface.com

Ridgelite FutureFleece Wind Jacket
£108

If you want a jacket to carry in your pack, the Ridgelite FutureFleece Wind Jacket is windproof and ultra-light, but also has a soft, warming fleece lining for when the weather turns. It’s best features are the adjustable hood and hem, that won’t let the cold in. A great lightweight, but warm option. It’s packable and will provide just the right warmth when you’re on the move, whatever your activity.
thenorthface.com

Fastpack Waterproof Shoes
£94.50

If you’re focus in on hiking or fast packing the DREAM foam midsole will cushion every step while their outsole is secure over wet and muddy trails. Their waterproof membrane will keep your feet dry. Compared to traditional hiking books, these are revolutionary. They’re also incredibly lightweight and great value.
thenorthface.com

Summit Vectiv Pro 3
£225

As lightweight as you could wish for, these are the shoes for your trail running adventures. They’ll guide you up the hills and cushion you when you come back down.
thenorthface.com

Summit Run Vest 5L
£130

Clever design provides zips alongside your bottles for easy removal, as well as loops to hold them in place. The fabric is lightweight but stretchy, and easily adjustable for a secure fit to eliminate bounce. There are ample pockets and stash spaces, including a larger rear storage sleeve for poles. A non-bulky, well designed and high quality race vest.
thenorthface.com

Base Camp Duffel 50L
£104

Wearable as a backpack, the ultra-thick waterproof fabric of this bag will protect your kit, wherever your adventure takes you. It’s easy to organise kit using its mesh pocket and internal bag. Compression straps can reduce it down to your required size. Not only can you use this bag as hand luggage for international trips as well as weekend retreats, it will never wear out.
thenorthface.com

And thank you to The North Face for making this year my best experience at Love Trails so far, including a PB in the 27K race!

Love Trails 2026 by numbers

• 100,000+ total kilometres covered (enough to circle the globe 2.5 times)
• 5,000+ attendees gathered on the Gower Peninsula
• 720 wood-fired sauna dips and cold plunges completed
• 521 programmed activities across four days
• 500 runners arrived solo, finding instant community via social mixer runs
• 80+ distinct run and hike experiences led by Love Trails and grassroots crews
• 50+ panels, talks, and wellness workshops
• 27 live music acts and DJs across multiple stages