Running
Explore these top 8 running trails in New York
With the Wings for Life World Run happening on May 7th, now is the perfect time to explore the top running trails in New York.
New York’s running routes are hidden treasures woven throughout the city, offering stunning views of nature and the city’s modern marvels alike. And for athletes like Emily Harrington, who use running as a way “to shift [her] perspective,” these views are a part of the inspiring landscape of the great outdoors.
"I'll be in a terrible mood and I'll force myself to get out the door," Harrington shared with Red Bull. "It changes my mood, how I feel about myself and how I feel about my situation. It makes me feel present."
Whether you run to shift your perspective, let off the day’s stress, or challenge your own PRs, New York City’s running trails are nothing short of memorable and even surprising for the concrete jungle. Below are the top running trails in New York whether you’re running for leisure or training for the Wings for Life World Run.
David Kilgore during the Wings for Life World Run - App Run in New York
© Laura Barisonzi for Wings for Life World Run
01
Central Park Reservoir Loop
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, renamed in honor of the former First Lady in 1994, is among the many landmarks of Manhattan’s 843-acre Central Park. This 1.58-mile, two-degree-slope running trail lets you take in scenic views of Manhattan’s East Side and West Side alongside still water and serene plants and wildlife. Its crisp, clear water combined with the striking skyscraper backdrop make for an unforgettable run.
You can take in scenic views and run across diverse terrain in almost any part of Central Park. Other popular trails include the short but challenging Bridle Path loops and the 6.1-mile full park loop. The reservoir loop, though, is the most popular trail.
The Central Park Reservoir Loop is easy to access from the 86th St A/B/C subway station. You can also reach it from the entrance at 90th St and 5th Avenue. There are restrooms and water fountains found throughout the park for easy stops before or after your run.
02
The High Line
When you run the High Line, you run near some of New York’s biggest highlights. This 1.45-mile flat linear park is built atop a former stretch of New York Central Railroad track just west of 10th Avenue. Its elevation above city streets makes it an exciting run in New York — you’ll see the city skyline and Hudson River up close and personal. This quality also makes The High Line a top tourist destination that gets crowded quickly, so early morning and sunset runs may be best.
You can enter the High Line on 10th Avenue at 14th, 23rd, and 30th Streets. Another entrance exists at the park’s northernmost point: 34th St between 11th Street and the Hudson River Greenway. The southernmost point, another entrance, is at Gansevoort Street and Washington Street, next to the Whitney Museum of Art.
03
Hudson River Greenway
This top running trail in New York covers the length of Manhattan’s west side along the Hudson River. It spans approximately 13 miles and extends from the northern tip of Manhattan all the way down to Battery Park, the borough’s southernmost point. You’ll run directly under the George Washington Bridge and through Hudson River Park, Fort Washington Park, and Riverside Park. Along the way, you’ll see the Hudson River and take in gorgeous views of skyscrapers, cliffsides, and waterfront complexes across the river in New Jersey.
To enter the Hudson River Greenway, you can go to the one of the parks it runs through or cross the often-busy West Side Highway. This running trail may thus be best at times when you might expect fewer cars on the road. Plus, with less car noise in the background, you may find yourself more deeply appreciating the nature and architecture all around you.
04
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Located directly south of and under the Brooklyn Bridge, this 85-acre park offers numerous running trails. You can run a 5k starting at Pier 6, looping around Piers 5, 3, and 2, reaching Pier 1, and then reversing. Piers 2, 5, and 6 all have restrooms, with water fountains scattered throughout the park.
As you run in Brooklyn Bridge Park, you’ll feel like you’re just steps from the staggering South Manhattan skyline, which includes the Freedom Tower. This is because, toward the top of the park, the East River is much narrower than the Hudson River, so the city appears closer. You can also take in the South Manhattan skyline face-on if you run across the bridge itself, which spans one mile.
05
Van Cortlandt Park
At 1,146 acres, the Bronx’s Van Cortlandt Park is significantly larger than its better-known southern neighbor, Central Park. You can run its hiking trails to immerse yourself in the local ecology. These include the John Muir Trail, Cross Country Course, and Putnam Trail. You can also run a loop including the Vault Hill, Back Hills of Vanny, the famed Tortoise & Hare Statue along Broadway, and the Van Cortlandt Park House Museum. Either option will expose you to dense patches of forest in a less hectic part of New York.
06
Prospect Park
The 526-acre Prospect Park is sometimes thought of as Brooklyn’s Central Park. Like its larger Manhattan sibling, this park abounds with trails. These trails vary in length from 1.5 to 3.5 miles and are often significantly less crowded than those in Central Park. They run through and alongside forests, lakes, and meadows that you might not otherwise find in urban areas. Running at Prospect Park can be a great way to connect with nature in New York’s most populous borough.
07
Forest Park
At 538 acres, Forest Park in Queens is New York’s 10th-largest park. Among its longer trails, the most popular is the Forest Park Loop from Woodhaven Boulevard. Shorter trails where you might encounter lots of other runners include the Yellow Loop and Inner Loop. Each of these trails takes you through serenely quiet passages of nearly uninterrupted trees.
The park’s Orange Trail will also put you near major points of interest such as the Forest Park Pine Grove and the “My Buddy” statue. It’s a great spot for enjoying some minor tourist attractions as you sprint through nature.
08
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
The 897-acre Flushing Meadows Corona Park is located just northeast of Forest Park within Queens. Among the most popular of its many running trails are the Pat Dolan Trail (1.5 miles). Another popular trail starts at the park’s 111th St & 49th Ave entrance and loops around the Fountain of the Planets and Meadow Lake. This trail will take you past one of the park’s biggest tourist attractions, like the Unisphere, a metallic monument to planet Earth. It’s a great run for building your endurance and exploring some of New York’s densest meadows.
Running in New York before — and beyond — the Wings for Life World Run
With the Wings for Life World Run coming up, now is the perfect time to explore the top running trails in New York. Choose a park to immerse yourself in calming natural environments or a manmade pathway to take in the Big Apple’s dazzling architecture. In these spots, city running isn’t just a sport — a whole new adventure awaits.