New York City may be famous for skyscrapers and traffic, but it’s also a runner’s paradise. Between sprawling park loops, waterfront paths, and bridge crossings with postcard-worthy views, the five boroughs are full of routes to keep every run interesting.
Whether you’re logging miles for the NYC Marathon or just exploring on foot, these trails deliver a mix of nature escapes and iconic cityscapes. Here are 20 running spots that show off the city at its best.
Central Park main loop
The 6.1-mile Central Park loop is the go-to route for locals and visiting runners alike. You’ll pass the reservoir, cruise through rolling hills, and take in a surprising range of landscapes.
The southern section is mostly flat, while the northern end near Harlem serves up tougher climbs. During busy hours, stick to the marked running lane to avoid dodging cyclists and tourists.
Hudson River Greenway
Running 12.9 miles from Battery Park to the George Washington Bridge, this path is a gem for distance training. Pedestrian sections offer uninterrupted Hudson River views, especially magical at sunset when New Jersey’s skyline glows.
With numerous entry points, you can tailor your run from a short loop to a full half-marathon without hitting traffic lights.
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Central Park reservoir
The 1.58-mile track around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir pairs flat, even footing with sweeping skyline views. Ideal for intervals or recovery jogs, it’s a space just for runners and walkers, keeping you away from bikes.
While it can be crowded at peak times, dawn offers calm, mirror-like water and plenty of breathing room.
Prospect Park loop
Brooklyn’s 3.35-mile loop rivals Central Park but feels more relaxed. The route takes you past open meadows, shaded forest paths, and the glimmering Prospect Park Lake.
A designated lane keeps runners safe from bike traffic, and the rolling terrain offers variety without being punishing. It’s the perfect mix of challenge and charm.
Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO waterfront
Covering about 2 miles, this route begins with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge crossing and ends along DUMBO’s revitalized piers. Expect unbeatable views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the Manhattan Bridge.
The pedestrian walkway can get tourist-heavy, so go early for a steadier pace and clearer shots of the skyline.
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Roosevelt Island perimeter
This 4.2-mile loop feels like a hidden refuge despite being in the middle of the East River. Reachable via tram or subway, it offers uninterrupted waterfront views of both Manhattan and Queens.
You’ll pass under the Queensboro Bridge and enjoy a peaceful, car-free run that feels far removed from city chaos.
East River Greenway
Spanning 9.4 miles along Manhattan’s eastern shoreline, the East River Greenway treats you to bridge views and breezes off the water. It connects Battery Park to East Harlem, with a few street-level detours in Midtown.
Stuyvesant Cove Park makes a scenic pause point with greenery and wildlife in an otherwise urban setting.
Central Park bridle path
For a softer running surface, the 2.5-mile bridle path offers crushed gravel and a quieter atmosphere. It circles the reservoir and stretches north through wooded trails that feel worlds away from the bustle.
Keep an eye out for horses — they have the right of way on these historic paths.
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Randall’s Island perimeter
Five miles of uninterrupted running circle Randall’s Island, with panoramic views of Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. Accessible from all three boroughs by pedestrian bridges, the loop passes fields, gardens, and even an urban farm.
The wide, quiet paths make it a favorite for peaceful long runs.
Van Cortlandt Park trails
The Bronx’s largest park has a real-deal trail running across 1,146 acres. Options range from the John Kieran Trail through wetlands to the legendary cross-country course that’s tested high school athletes for decades.
With wooded hills and varied terrain, it’s the best place in the city to forget you’re still in the city.
Governors Island loop
Just a short ferry ride from Manhattan or Brooklyn, Governors Island offers 2.1 miles of waterfront paths with sweeping harbor views. You’ll pass historic Fort Jay and grassy hills perfect for cooldowns.
Summer weekends bring more foot traffic, but the island’s no-car rule keeps the roads blissfully quiet.
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Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens’ signature park gives runners multiple loops, including a 3-mile circuit around the famous Unisphere and a 2.4-mile path circling Meadow Lake. The Pat Dolan Trail adds a nature-filled detour through Willow Lake Preserve.
It’s a green, open space with something for every pace and distance.
Fort Tryon Park
Perched on a ridge in Upper Manhattan, Fort Tryon offers steep climbs and spectacular Hudson River vistas. The 67-acre park’s winding paths pass gardens, wooded areas, and stairs that double as a workout.
The views of the George Washington Bridge and Palisades alone are worth the effort.
Astoria Park
This 3.2-mile loop in Queens runs alongside the East River with views of the RFK Bridge and Midtown skyline. The park also features the city’s largest public pool and connects easily to Randall’s Island for a longer route.
Flat, wide paths make it great for speed sessions or easy runs.
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High Line
The High Line’s 1.5-mile elevated path offers a different kind of run — weaving through gardens, art installations, and city views 30 feet above the streets. It’s narrow and tourist-heavy later in the day, so aim for early mornings.
Some sections discourage running, making it better for light jogs than hard training.
Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront
Just 1.3 miles long, this route is all about scenery. Starting near the Brooklyn Bridge, it winds through landscaped piers with unmatched Lower Manhattan views.
Runners often join group runs here, like the NYRR Tuesday night meetups, for a social and photogenic workout.
Williamsburg Bridge crossing
The Williamsburg Bridge’s 1.45-mile span links the Lower East Side with Brooklyn’s Williamsburg. The steady climb is perfect for hill training, and the center’s vantage point gives views of both skylines.
Compared to the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, it’s far less congested.
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Riverside Park
Stretching north from West 72nd Street along the Hudson, Riverside Park feels like a leafy escape. The cherry blossoms in spring are a highlight, and connections to the Hudson River Greenway make it easy to extend your mileage.
Frequent benches and gardens make it a pleasant spot to slow down post-run.
Red Hook waterfront
This stretch of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway runs past industrial relics, renovated piers, and open harbor views. Linking Brooklyn Bridge Park to the Red Hook recreation area, it’s a route steeped in maritime history and local character.
The path is flat and uncrowded, ideal for a steady-paced run.
Pelham Bay Park
At over 2,700 acres, Pelham Bay is the city’s largest park, with 13 miles of trails through forests, marshland, and beachfront. Loops can be short and scenic or long and challenging, offering a rare sense of wilderness.
It’s the ultimate Bronx destination for trail lovers.
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More than concrete and crowds
These routes prove that New York’s running scene is as varied as the city itself. From bucket-list bridges to quiet, hidden paths, there’s always another stretch of pavement — or trail — to discover.
Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just looking for fresh air, NYC has a run for every mood and mile.
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