Amanda LimRunning can be one of the most rewarding ways to see the world. Beyond keeping fit on the road, it lets you trace riverbanks at dawn, discover quiet parks locals love, or climb rugged trails with sweeping views few tourists ever reach.
From famous urban loops to dramatic coastal and mountain tracks, here are 15 beautiful running routes and trails around the world that might just inspire your next journey on foot.
Also read: 10 Best Hikes in Southeast Asia Ranked by Difficulty and Trail Type
City running routes
Central Park Loop, New York City, USA
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No list of running routes is complete without Manhattan’s green heart. The classic 6.1 km loop passes landmarks like Bethesda Fountain and the Reservoir.
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The route offers gentle hills, tree-lined paths and just enough skyline peeking through the branches to remind you where you are. Early mornings feel almost meditative, while evening runs bring the city’s golden hour to life.
Thames Path & Royal Parks, London, UK
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London’s royal parks link together to form a refreshing run right in the city centre. Start in Hyde Park, wind through Kensington Gardens, Green Park and St James’s Park, then extend along the Thames Path past Westminster, the London Eye and even as far as Tower Bridge. This flat and flexible path that’s also rich in history lets you tailor your distance to suit your mood.
Also read: Things to Do in London for First-Time Visitors: What’s Really Worth Seeing and Practical Tips
Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France
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This iconic 7 km seaside run follows the curve of the Baie des Anges. Palm trees sway overhead, pastel villas and grand hotels frame the view inland, and the Mediterranean sparkles beside you.
Go early to enjoy it almost to yourself, or join locals and fellow travellers as the promenade comes alive at sunset. Nice is an understatement!
River Seine Loop, Paris, France
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Run the Seine’s banks for a route where every step brings a new landmark. Starting near the Eiffel Tower, follow the water past the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and Notre-Dame, crossing historic bridges to create a 5–10 km loop. The route is largely flat and paved, making it as practical as it is beautiful.
Stanley Park Seawall, Vancouver, Canada
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This 9 km loop traces the edge of Stanley Park on a dedicated waterside path. The scenery constantly shifts: cedar forests on one side, harbour views and mountain backdrops on the other.
It’s a rare chance to feel immersed in nature while staying right next to a bustling city.
Bund Riverside, Shanghai, China
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Shanghai’s 5 km riverside path runs between two worlds: colonial-era architecture on one bank and the glass-and-steel skyline of Pudong across the water. It’s a flat, paved route that comes alive at night when the city lights reflect on the Huangpu River, but it’s equally striking at sunrise.
Ueno Park Loop, Tokyo, Japan
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A peaceful 3.5 km loop through Tokyo’s historic Ueno Park, where you’ll pass lotus ponds, shrines and tree-lined avenues. While it becomes especially crowded during cherry blossom season, an early-morning run can still offer glimpses of the blooms before the crowds arrive. Short, accessible and easy to combine with a stroll through nearby museums later in the day.
Also read: 21 Cheap and Free Things to Do in Tokyo: A 2025 Budget Travel Guide
The Tan Track, Melbourne, Australia
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Melbourne’s most iconic running route, The Tan, is a roughly 3.8 km gravel loop encircling the Royal Botanic Gardens. Loved by locals for its leafy surroundings and famous Anderson Street hill, it offers a mix of flat stretches and one notable climb that keeps things interesting.
Join the stream of early-morning runners for views of the Yarra River and city skyline, and finish with a cool-down by the gardens’ ornamental lakes. Whether you’re chasing a fast lap or a gentle jog, it’s a slice of Melbourne’s outdoor culture.
Vondelpark Loop, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Amsterdam’s largest park offers a flat, 3 km loop popular with locals and travellers alike. You’ll pass ponds, open lawns and elegant 19th-century landscaping, all just steps from the Museum Quarter. It’s ideal for an early run before the city fully wakes up.
Nature and coastal trails
Lake Bled Loop, Slovenia
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A 6 km paved path circles this picture-book Alpine lake, with every step offering views of Bled Castle perched on a cliff and the iconic church on the island. Flat and gentle, it’s as suitable for a leisurely jog as for a sunrise run when the water turns to glass.
South Downs Way, UK
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Stretching 160 km across southern England, the South Downs Way delivers sweeping chalk hills, fields dotted with wildflowers and distant sea views. Tackle it in sections, whether for a weekend trail run or a longer adventure, and enjoy the feeling of space and sky that defines the English countryside.
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, Sydney, Australia
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A roughly 6 km route over clifftops, past rock pools and beaches. Runners mix with walkers here, especially at sunrise when the light turns the sandstone gold. Short but spectacular, and easy to access from central Sydney.
Cascais–Estoril Promenade, Portugal
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A flat 3 km seaside route west of Lisbon, linking the stylish towns of Cascais and Estoril. It’s lined with palm trees, beach cafés and grand villas, making for an elegant and breezy morning run.
Sea Point Promenade, Cape Town, South Africa
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An 11 km stretch along Cape Town’s Atlantic edge, framed by crashing waves and the towering silhouette of Table Mountain. Wide, paved and mostly flat, it’s popular at any hour, but sunrise and sunset light the ocean and sky with rich colours.
Griffith Park Trails, Los Angeles, USA
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Multiple gravel and dirt paths wind through Griffith Park. Combine a moderate 5–8 km run with views of the Hollywood Sign and the city below. The sunset here is unforgettable.
Also read: The 8 Longest and Most Epic Road Trips in the World
Why run when you travel?
Beyond fitness, running abroad reveals a city waking up, a coastline unfolding in real time or a mountain view earned stride by stride. These beautiful running routes around the world turn a workout into discovery, proving you don’t need to stop exploring just because you’ve picked up the pace.
