Our research is editorially independent but we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Top 20 Destinations For Inspiring a Runner’s High

If you really want to use running shoes that you’ve somehow managed to stuff into your suitcase, be sure that you’re heading to one of these destinations that are sure to inspire the ultimate runner’s high. From city streets to mountain trails, no matter what your preference, these cities around the world are some of the very best for runners.

Portland, Oregon Portland
Credit: Portland by bigstock.com

Portland, Oregon

Portland ranks among the top cities in America for runners. Thanks to Forest Park, you can go for a distance run and completely forget you’re in a city. The tree-canopied, 5,000-acre park along the Williamette River contains nearly 80 miles of trails, including the popular Leif Erickson Drive. On this urban route, you’ll truly feel buried deep in the woods. You can also cruise long, flat distances along the Columbia River, and right downtown, runners flock to the paths along the riverfront throughout the day. There are plenty of options for trail running too, including Wildwood Trail in Washington Park.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Vancouver
Credit: Vancouver by bigstock.com

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver is well known as a very walkable city, but “runnable” actually might be a better way to describe it, considering all of its beautiful places to hit the pavement. The city’s pristine setting, surrounded by mountains and the glistening waters of the Pacific, as well as forested trails and waterfront routes, makes it one of the best. Adventurous types may even want to try one of the staircase treks that lead to a nude beach, although there are few more scenic places in the world for running than along the Stanley Park seawall, a 5.5-mile concrete path that winds along Burrard Inlet, under Lions Gate Bridge and down to False Creek. Take a diversion off the main path and head down one of many nature trails that run throughout the park, passing totem poles, gorgeous lookout points, and, the Vancouver Aquarium.

Boulder, Colorado Boulder, Colorado
Credit: Boulder, Colorado by wikimedia.org

Boulder, Colorado

This town on the eastern edge of the Rockies is considered a true runner’s dream. There’s a reason so many professional runners have moved to Boulder. Not only does it offer more than 300 days of sunshine and a long list of outdoor activities, but it also boasts mountainous terrain is packed with a practically endless amount of trails. Boulder has over 200 miles of off-road running routes within close proximity to downtown, ranging from flat concrete paths to smooth dirt paths and rocky mountain trails. Just a few of the more popular spots include the 5.5-mile Boulder Creek Path, the 7-mile Mesa Trail, the 10-mile Boulder Valley Ranch trail and the 8-mile Walker Ranch Loop. Plus there are multiple connections between open space trails that allow for variable length runs with just about any type of terrain and elevation gain you could ever want.

San Francisco, California San Fransisco
Credit: San Fransisco by bigstock.com

San Francisco, California

While you probably think San Francisco would be a rather unfriendly running destination with so many steep hills, there are lots of mostly flat paths that run alongside the bay. Going for a run across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito is sure to be one of the most unforgettable treks you’ll ever make. There are also gorgeous trails through a number of scenic parks, trails along the beach with ocean views, and of course, that hilly terrain for those who are looking for a real challenge. San Francisco is so runner-friendly, it even has city tours that you can take while on the run. Plus, there’s almost always a race taking place on the weekend, from the famous Bay to Breakers 12K to the San Francisco marathon.

Seattle, Washington Seattle
Credit: Seattle by bigstock.com

Seattle, Washington

The Emerald City as it’s sometimes called due to its lush, green surroundings, may be one of the best-kept secrets for runners. While there’s usually plenty of rain to keep things looking beautiful, it’s generally more of a mist that won’t slow you down. You’ll find hundreds of surrounding miles of trails throughout the forests, as well as scenic paths throughout the entire area with picturesque views of the city, the water and the islands. The only downside is it may be hard to run without stopping to take pictures.

Some of the more popular spots here include the 27-mile-long Burke-Gilman Trail, connecting many parts of North Seattle and hugging the shoreline for much of its length. Green Lake features a 2.8-mile paved and off-road trails that circle the water, and Discovery Park offers 11.8 miles of trails in open and wooded areas. The options are practically endless.

Sydney, Australia Sydney
Credit: Sydney by bigstock.com

Sydney, Australia

In Sydney, your choices for where to run are pretty much endless. There are hundreds of running trails, from routes along the city’s famous harbor to longer, challenging bush trails in the suburbs and outskirts. The waterfront trek from Bondi to Coogee passes some of Sydney’s most beautiful stretches of sand and is ideal for runners. One that’s also not-to-be-missed is the paths in Royal Botanic Gardens which overlook the Sydney Opera house and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Yet another great trail is the Bay Run in the western suburbs which loops around scenic Iron Cove – it was recently widened to allow more room for cyclists and runners with flat, separated footpaths over a 4.3-mile circuit starting from King George Park.

Boston, Massachusetts Boston
Credit: Boston by bigstock.com

Boston, Massachusetts

As the home of one of the most prestigious marathons in the world, Boston is renowned for its many running options, set among numerous historic landmarks. Here you can check out the Old North Church, the spot where the famous signal warned residents that the British were approaching by the sea with two of Paul Revere’s lanterns, visit Revere’s house along the Freedom Trail, the USS Constitution and the Granary Burial Ground with the graves of famous figures like John Hancock, Paul Revere, Sam Adams and Ben Franklin’s parents.

Follow the red-bricked Freedom Trail for a historic run through downtown, or run from the Chestnut Hill Reservoir up Beacon Street before heading to the path along the Charles River which offers especially outstanding views of the city. “The Rivah,” as locals call it, is one of the most easily accessible routes in the city, it passes through parts of Boston, Watertown, Waltham and Cambridge. A full loop from the Museum of Science in Boston to Watertown Square is about 18 miles.

Chattanooga, Tennessee Walnut Street Bridge, Chattanooga
Credit: Walnut Street Bridge, Chattanooga by © Kevin Ruck | Dreamstime.com

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, recently named “Best Outdoor City” by Outside magazine, is home to the nearly 12.5-mile Tennessee Riverwalk, a linear park that starts at Ross’s Landing in Chattanooga and finishes in the city center. Plus, the rolling hills and high plateaus that surround the city offer miles and miles of running routes too, from greenways to rugged trails. Chattanooga also plays host to more than 100 5K running events as well as marathons and world-class trail races each year.

Berlin, Germany Berlin, Germany
Credit: Berlin, Germany by bigstock.com

Berlin, Germany

This sprawling, green city is five times larger than Paris, spread out over a vast expanse with forests in every direction, including a huge tract at its city center. In fact, it seems as if Berlin was made just for running. One of the best places for city running is the 525-acre Tiergarten, once a royal hunting preserve transformed into a sights-filled public “green lung” with 14 miles of paved and packed gravel paths. You can run past lovely lakes, ponds, the renowned Berlin Zoo, Brandenburg Gate, remnants of the Berlin Wall and more. Outside the city limits, there are far too many forests and parks to list, but Spandauer Forest is one of the best for running. You’ll have the chance to spot all types of wildlife as you run on the color-coded loops, including beavers, fox, deer and occasionally, wild boar.

Tokyo, Japan Romantic night scenery of illuminated cherry blossom trees Sakura namiki in Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi
Credit: Romantic night scenery of illuminated cherry blossom trees Sakura namiki in Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi by © Minchun Chen | Dreamstime.com

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo may be one of the world’s most densely populated cities, but it still offers a wide variety of fantastic trails and routes to cater to the city’s passionate runners. One of its largest green spaces, Yoyogi Park, a wonderful woodsy escape, is an incredibly popular destination for running. Ideally situated in the heart of urban Tokyo, it showcases a lush sprawl of trees and greenery on its north side. Paths inside the park are covered with distance markers for runners to gauge their progress. One of the city’s most famous rivers, the Tama River, offers a trail that seems to extend forever, catering to runners and cyclists.

Chicago, Illinois View of West Loop, Chicago
Credit: View of West Loop, Chicago by © Antwonm | Dreamstime.com

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is renowned as one of the top running cities in the world. It hosts the second-largest marathon in the nation, the largest triathlon, and enough 5K and 10K races to keep you busy for just about every weekend of the year. One of the main reasons for its popularity with runners is its 18-mile paved running path that winds along Lake Michigan, offering a traffic-free route with amazing park scenery and majestic views of the skyline with trail markers placed every half-mile to help track distance. Of course, that’s not the only option for great Windy City running.

The Des Plaines River Trail is one of the longest in the area, with the heart of the trek running through the northwest side of Chicago, connecting several Cook County Forest Preserves along the way. The Palos Trail System just southwest of the city is a trail running mecca, with over 25 miles of mostly unpaved trails through forest preserves.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Credit: "The Alley," Mont Royal Park, Montreal by bigstock.com

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

The beautiful city of Montreal is home to some of the most scenic and functional trails for running. The Lachine Canal, which spans for nine miles has peaceful trails for running and biking, away from the chaos of the city with kilometer markers positioned along the way to easily track your distance. Picturesque Mont Royal Park is crisscrossed with a network of running trails, including Avenue des Pins which leads to the city’s highest point offering spectacular views from the top. While the slope can be challenging, it’s well worth the effort.

If you plan to be in Montreal in September, you might want to sign up for the Montreal Oasis Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, which attracts runners from across the globe. The course will take you on a great tour of the city, including Île Sainte-Hélène, Old Montreal, The Gay Village, Rosemont, Little Italy, and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, and The Plateau-Mont-Royal. The event has races of other distances if you aren’t up for a full marathon, including a half-marathon, 10K, 5K and even a 1K race for kids. It also includes live music performances, an awards show, and, free beer.

San Diego, California San Diego
Credit: San Diego by bigstock.com

San Diego, California

San Diego’s idyllic year-round climate, beautiful beaches and parks, is a runner’s paradise. Run at the edge of the Pacific, through gorgeous Balboa Park with its 65 miles of trails, ornate fountains, museums and spectacular gardens, paved city paths and more. Mission Bay provides miles of flat, waterfront running along paved paths and is extremely popular with runners. If you want to get out of the city, Mission Trails Regional Park is just eight miles from downtown and offers over 40 miles of trails, including a runner’s favorite, the 6.5-mile trail up Fortuna Mountain as well as an easy, mostly flat 1.2-mile Grassland Loop.

New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans
Credit: New Orleans by bigstock.com

New Orleans, Louisiana

If you want to spice things up with a trip to the lively southern city of New Orleans, you’ll find plenty of great trails here too, with paths taking runners and walkers through charming neighborhoods, quiet parks and along scenic waterways. The two-mile path at Audubon Park is one of the most scenic places here for your morning run, traveling underneath centuries-old moss-draped oak trees, passing tranquil lagoons renowned for bird watching. The 22-mile paved path atop the Mississippi River levee known as the Mississippi River Trail, is an ideal option for long-distance runners, while the 1.7-mile-long path alongside Bayou St. John winds around live oak trees and marsh grasses growing along the bayou.

If you want to check out the sights of the city on a run, join one of the organized running tours departing from the Old U.S. Mint building in the French Quarter and finishing near the Garden District along the St. Charles Avenue streetcar tracks, taking in some of the city’s most famous buildings along the way.

Paris, France Paris
Credit: Paris by bigstock.com

Paris, France

While the narrow sidewalks and big cobblestones of Paris don’t seem very runner-friendly at first glance, this city for lovers is actually a wonderful place to run, if you know where to go. Île de la Jatte, a small island with beauty that inspired 19th-century painters like Monet and Georges Seurat, features a running track, and Parc de sceaux, just outside downtown, is a hidden gem, filled with beautiful running paths in a peaceful environment away from the noise of the city. Other options include the Tuileries net to the Louvre and Jardins du Luxembourg on the Left Bank and the course that leads from Hotel de Ville into the heart of Paris and on to the Bois de Vincennes.

London, England London buses crossing Westminster Bridge near Parliament
Credit: London buses crossing Westminster Bridge near Parliament by bigstock.com

London, England

With green space covering nearly half of its landmass, London offers plenty of variety, and beauty to keep runners busy. There’s always the Hampstead Heath, the Royal Parks, the canals and the Thames Path, a 179-mile path that stretches from the Thames Flood Barrier at Woolwich in South East London to Kemble in Gloucestershire. The 8-mile section that winds from Richmond, on the outskirts of the city to Hammersmith, in the city center, is ideal for a run.

There are a number of lesser-known trails too, including Bromley’s Woods with its stunning array of woodlands, Wanstead Flats is, which, as the name suggests, perfectly flat with predominantly open grass fields and soft mown trails, while Ruislip Lido has a lovely looped 1.6-mile path.

Washington D.C. Washington, D.C.
Credit: Washington, D.C. by Bigstock.com

Washington D.C.

The nation’s capital is renowned for its long list of things to do, including a multitude of museums, the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the White House, all easily reachable on foot. There are also a number of excellent running trails here. The C&O Canal Trail runs for 184.5 miles along the Potomac River from D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. This extremely popular trail is very well kept and is made up of a mostly crushed stone surface, offering scenic views of the river and surrounding area. Rock Creek Park is home to more than 30 miles of dirt trails and offers a fabulous, tranquil escape from the bustling roads short jog away. Of course, you can always run the smooth paths that circle the National Mall for an especially American experience, best accomplished in the early morning or evening hours to beat the crowds.

Denver, Colorado City Park, Denver
Credit: City Park, Denver by © | Dreamstime.com

Denver, Colorado

With over 300 sunny days annually, the Mile High City is ideal for runners all year round. This mountain metropolis that’s actually 30 minutes or so west of the Rockies is filled with pristine parks and is surrounded by some 200 miles of paved paths and natural surface trails. Cheesman Park has amazing mountain views along with lots of winding pathways that border Denver Botanical Gardens and a number of magnificent homes. City Park, on the east side of downtown, is home to Denver’s zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science. There are lots of paths and open green spaces to trod across within the park, including the half-mile around Ferril Lake. Oak-shaded Washington Park has a 2.3-mile paved interior that’s closed to traffic and passes several small lakes as well as a dirt surface 2.6-mile perimeter path which passes historic homes.

Copenhagen, Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark
Credit: Copenhagen, Denmark by Bigstock.com

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is a green city, so whether you want to run while checking out the city sights or through the forest, you’ll find the perfect route. The most popular place for running here is arguably at “Soerne,” which literally means “The Lakes,” a formation of lakes that form the end of the Inner City on the west side of the old town. Perfect for urban running, they’re a mix of pavement and dirt/gravel, separated from the bike path to alleviate running into the city’s many avid bikers with reasonable lighting for running after dark too. With the old city feel along with picturesque water views, running in Copenhagen is magical.

Kauai, Hawaii Kauai, Hawaii
Credit: Kauai, Hawaii by IndustryAndTravel/shutterstock.com

Kauai, Hawaii

While there are many spectacular places to run on Kauai, including the Scenic Coastal Kauai Path, nothing can beat the experience of running the Kalalau Trail – the only land access to the breathtaking Na Pali Coast on the northwest side of the island. The 11-mile trail starts at Ha’ena State Park and traverses five lush valleys before reaching its end at Kalalau Beach. Along the way, you’ll take in the soaring sea cliffs, remote waterfalls, picture-perfect white-sand beaches, guava trees and ancient Hawaiian ruins. If the strenuous effort to complete an entire out-and-back run is too much, the shorter version to Hanakapi’ai Beach, two miles out, or Hanakoa Valley at four miles, still offers lots of awe-inspiring grandeur.

Travel Deals

7-Day Irish Pub Tour in Luxe Vehicle w/ Private Driver

$1829+

5-Day Taste of Ireland Tour | BOGO 50% Off Airfare

$1356+

Royal Caribbean | 7-Nt Caribbean Cruise w/ Ship Credit

$682+

6-Day Iceland Guided Tour w/ Whale Watching Cruise

$3369+

Air & 6-Nt Irish B&B Escape | $125 Off

$1274+

Ireland | 8-Day Custom Golf Trip - Play the Best Courses

QUOTE

Up to $400 Off | Air & 15-Day Peru, Argentina & Brazil Tour

$3199+

Create the Ultimate Trip to Anchorage this Year

PLAN

Save $400 | 10-Day Ireland by Train w/ Activities & Tours

$1399+

8-Day Rocky Mountains National Parks Adventure

$3299+

One Hundred Shoreditch London | 4th Night Free

$300+

Up to 20% Off | Air & 14-Day Ireland Wild Atlantic Way Tour

$2239+

9-Day Private Chauffeur Ireland Vacation

$3555+

Air & 7-Nt Rhine River Cruise w/ $500 Ship Credit

$2499+

Non-Stop Business Class Fare Sale | Up To 70% Off

$2125+