Trail running is a great way to get outdoors and switch up the daily routine. Not to mention a change in scenery that’ll give your runs a sense of adventure. Explore these 20 must-do trails that travel along breezy coasts, up rugged mountainsides and through dusty canyons, tranquil forests or grassy pastures. Your eyes and feet will thank you.
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Fountainhead Regional Park; Fairfax Station, VA
A perennial favorite for mountain bikers (there’s a dedicated trail for bikers), it’s also the site of one of the EX2 Adventures Backyard Burn Series trail running races on April 6. And it’s no wonder this race fills up fast: Just 10 miles from downtown Fairfax, the 20-some miles of singletrack dirt trails and wide, flat horse trails transport you into a scene straight out of a fairy tale, especially in the spring with towering trees forming green canopies overhead and whispering streams underfoot. nvrpa.org/park/fountainhead
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Hidden Valley; Moab, UT
Hidden Valley is close to town (just three miles south), yet quite secluded and a nice introduction to red-rock running. The approach requires a several-hundred-foot switchback scramble, but then the scenic trail flattens out, following a shelf to the north and opening up with big sky and canyon views. blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/moab/recreation/hiking_trails/
hidden_valley_trail.html
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Prince William Forest Park; Triangle, VA
Enter Prince William Forest Park and step back in time as you follow the footsteps of the Native Americans who hunted and gathered along the shores of the Potomac River years ago. Or explore the path on which George Washington marched his troops to Yorktown during the Revolutionary War. Whatever route you choose, history speaks to you from every bend of this 15,000-acre park, which boasts nearly 40 miles of trails and another 21 miles of fire roads and pavement, all just about 30 minutes from downtown D.C. nps.gov/prwi
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Muir Woods, CA
With more than 100 years of history, this national monument is something to admire. Although the woods technically only include 6 miles of trails, the myriad of connectors to Mt. Tamalpais State Park let you run for hours. All of the main trails inside Muir Woods are asphalt or boardwalk, which makes them accessible to all those parents pushing strollers, yet plenty of singletrack, unpaved trails lie along the canyon walls as well. nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
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Eagle Rock Loop; Sisters, OR
Head out for a short jaunt around the Eagle Rock Loop, a quiet, 5.6-mile trek with breathtaking views of the Three Sisters mountains—North, South and Middle. The trail can get technical at times, but the panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains are worth hurdling a few rocks. Bridge crossings and the lively Squaw Creek also make for an adventurous run. Running through town to get to the Eagle Rock Loop (via Cascade Avenue, Elm Street and Three Creeks Road) is another viable and enjoyable option for tacking on more miles. trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGW267-047
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Soderberg Trailhead; Fort Collins, CO
Soderberg is an easy, rolling trail leading to a valley along the western shores of Horsetooth Reservoir. The 2,711-acre Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, which includes Culver, Soderberg and Hughey open spaces, brings together 29 miles of scenic trails, also connecting to Blue Sky Trail and Lory State Park just outside Fort Collins. The Soderberg Trail’s lower sections offer big views and wide paths, while the upper reaching parts of the park will challenge experienced trail runners with steep, technical terrain. co.larimer.co.us/parks/openlands/os_soderberg.htm
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Blackwater Heritage State Trail; Milton, FL
Just northeast of Pensacola, in the historic town of Milton, you will find the 8.5-mile Blackwater Heritage Trail. Hydrate, then hoof your way through flat, rural and urban areas, following the route the old Florida and Alabama Railroad once used to ship lumber from Bagdad to Whitley, Ala. The westernmost state rail trail extends 8 miles north before joining up with the U.S. Navy’s 1.5-mile Military Heritage Trail, which concludes at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field. Along the way, expect views of the charming North Florida towns and creek crossings on wooden bridges. floridastateparks.org/blackwater.
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Arcadia Management Reserve; Exeter, RI
When one thinks of Rhode Island, images of beautiful New England beaches come to mind, but the Ocean State has another gem for trail enthusiasts: the Arcadia Management Reserve. Located in the southwest part of Rhode Island, Arcadia offers runners 14,000 acres of pristine forest. riparks.com/Locations/
LocationArcadia.html
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Memorial Park; Houston, TX
What was once the site of Camp Logan, a World War I U.S. Army training camp, the land was deeded to the City of Houston in 1924. Now a 1,503-acre public park featuring some of the most stunning landscapes the area has to offer, it is a natural haven for city dwellers. West of downtown, you can take a 2.88-mile lap around the park to get the lay of the land. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, Memorial Park has 7 miles of multi-use dirt trails for runners, hikers and mountain bikers. Allowing you to mix and match a series of loops, the space is a perfect place to log as many (or as few) miles as you choose. houstontx.gov/parks/ourparks/
memorialpark.html
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Pine Mountain Trail; Pine Mountain, GA
Save a long run for this 23-mile, foot-traffic-only path in F.D. Roosevelt State Park, located in Pine Mountain, Ga. In addition to the main trail, there are seven loops forming connecting trails, which all cross and follow the Pine Mountain ridge in west central Georgia. Pick up a map from the park office and follow the blazes painted on trees as you run through the peaceful woods, with its passing streams, waterfalls, rock outcroppings and scenic vistas. pinemountain.org/attractions/pine-mountain-trail
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Indiana Dunes; Chesterton, IN
Less than an hour from downtown Chicago, the park features more than 70 miles of trails, and yes, lots of them are over giant mounds of sand, which can make for a good hill workout. But many of the trails also incorporate forest paths that make for a very interesting long run—or at least something that’s different from your everyday training routine. There is a $7 fee for out-of-state drivers to enter the park, but the unique running experience is worth it. in.gov/dnr
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Snodgrass Mountain; Crested Butte, CO
This moderate trail features singletrack climbs through twisting aspen groves, a botanical bounty and plenty of views of Mt. Crested Butte and the Elk Mountains. To find the roughly 6-mile out-and-back route, head north of town through Mt. Crested Butte and turn left on Washington Gulch Road and continue two miles to the trailhead. Follow the main trail and stop at the fence-line turnaround, unless you want a wicked climb back midway. friendsofsnodgrass.org
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9 Trails; Santa Barbara, CA
Pick your poison (as they say) and design your own adventure. From the allotted nine trails, there is a myriad of routes to choose from, making your next trail run as short or as long as you’d like. Enjoy the peaks and vistas in all their grandeur, find solace in the many crooks and crannies of the Los Padres National Forest, and soak up the boldly colored wildflowers. These trails will captivate you and keep you coming back for more. santabarbarahikes.com/hikes/frontcountry/9trails2roads
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Skidaway Island State Park Trails; Savannah, GA
SKIDAWAY ISLAND STATE PARK near Savannah offers a variety of loops and routes to keep you entertained. Start with the 1-mile Sandpiper Trail Loop, traveling over salt flats and tidal creeks. Its boardwalks and paths also journey through maritime forests on island hammocks. Tack on the Avian Loop Trail for an extra mile, jogging to the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway. Take a quick stretch break to watch for hunting osprey or swimming dolphins before venturing back among Spanish moss-draped trees and a sandy causeway that crosses the largest tidal creek flowing into the park. gastateparks.org/SkidawayIsland-Hiking
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McKenzie River Trail; McKenzie Highway, OR
LOCATED JUST 50 MILES EAST of Eugene, the McKenzie River Trail tucks tight against the often white-watered McKenzie River for just over 26 miles of luscious landscape. Grab a friend, leave a car at the bottom and shuttle yourselves up to the top (or set up a private shuttle ride via the McKenzie River Mountain Resort). The gradual downhill is never too hard on the knees, and the scenery is perhaps a little too easy on the eyes. mckenzierivertrail.com
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Long Canyon; Sedona, AZ
Sandstone Cliffs, which are brushed with green shrubs and rise sharply to meet the blue sky, are just one of the many beautiful sights in Sedona. Its beauty—and elevation—is one of the reasons the city is a favorite training ground for many athletes. That includes the elite triathlon group of coach Darren Smith, who says one of their favorite places to run is Long Canyon. They often run the Deadman’s Pass route, which is located about a mile from the Long Canyon trailhead and indicated with a sign. callofsedona.com
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Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit; Eagle, WI
The state forest has more than 22,000 acres with 160 miles of trails that attract runners, hikers and mountain bikers to take advantage of the pine plantations, prairie and southern hardwood forests. Runners used to the flat, mostly limestone-covered trails in Illinois are in for a treat—or challenge—with the undulating terrain carved by glaciers thousands of years ago. A wide variety of trails are available though, from easier nature walks to the blue loop of the John Muir system, which features 12 hilly miles of very rocky terrain that will make you forget you’re in the Midwest. dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/kms
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Cross Timbers Trail; Gordonville, TX
Winding along the southern shore of Lake Texoma, the Cross Timbers Trail runs along the state line of Texas and Oklahoma. Touting 14 miles of narrow, hilly trails, along with plenty of rocky ledges that rise far above the lake, this will appeal to adventure-seeking trail runners. Meandering through thick blackjack oak forests, the trail offers a great opportunity to get out in nature. cedarbayou.com/cross-timbers-trail
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Whidbey Island; Island County, WA
THE BUCOLIC AND TRANQUIL Whidbey Island is a favorite getaway for many Seattle residents. It’s only a 30-minute drive north and offers visitors options for sailing, kayaking, dining, wine tasting—and trail running. Trail guru James Varner, who puts on an ultra event at Whidbey Island every year, is particularly fond of the North Beach Trail at Deception Pass State Park, which connects Whidbey Island to the neighboring Fidalgo Island, as well as the Bluff Trail at Whidbey Island’s Fort Ebey State Park. wta.org
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Mass Central Rail Trail; Boston to Northampton, MA
When people think about running in Massachusetts, the narrow, crowd-lined streets that make up the Boston Marathon come to mind. But what might be overlooked are the serene trails that make up the Mass Central Rail Trail. Back in 1938, the railroad line, which stretched from Boston to Northampton was destroyed by a hurricane. Since that time, 24 communities and hundreds of volunteers have worked tirelessly to dig up the line and make it available to runners, hikers and cyclists. masscentralrailtrail.org
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