Boston Running Guide
Boston is home to one of the most iconic marathons in the world and fosters a thriving running community. Boston’s runners are some of the toughest out there, braving harsh, icy winters and hot humid summers. The running community truly lives and breathes its motto: #BostonStrong.
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The Charles
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Distance 4.6 mi
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Elevation 99 ft
For a classic Boston running experience, the Charles River is a must. The tree-lined, paved paths on both the Cambridge and Boston sides see heavy running traffic at all times of day, all year round. You will also find dirt paths adjacent to the main paved route in many places along the way. Our route loops around the BU Bridge and the Longfellow Bridge but you can vary the distance by turning around at any of the bridges between Boston and Watertown. Enjoy views of the city skyline and boats on the river as you cruise past BU and MIT.
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Middlesex Fells
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Distance 7.4 mi
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Elevation 1,064 ft
Middlesex Fells Reservation, or "the Fells", offers a true trail running experience just minutes north of downtown. We suggest taking the hilly, technical, single-track Skyline trail but there are many other options including the lower Reservoir Trail. Even if you've run here before it is smart to bring a good trail map on your run as even experienced Fells runners get lost on this complicated trail network.
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Fresh Pond
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Distance 2.4 mi
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Elevation 32 ft
Fresh Pond Reservation offers a natural oasis away from the bustle of the city. The 2.5-mile shaded path hugs the pond and varies between paved and dirt surfaces. This flat loop is a great place for interval workouts and an easy escape from running on the street.
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Jamaica Pond
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Distance 3.3 mi
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Elevation 128 ft
A popular place for an outdoor workout, Jamaica Pond is the jewel of Olmsted's Emerald Necklace. Locals enjoy running the shaded paved path around the pond. The 1.5-mile loop around Jamaica Pond is flat and makes for a perfect speed workout.
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Emerald Necklace
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Distance 11.0 mi
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Elevation 321 ft
The Emerald Necklace is a chain of nine parks that offers runners a chance to run completely through green spaces in the middle of the city. Famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead designed this linear park system, stretching from Boston Common to Franklin Park. The Emerald Necklace is a great place for a run as it offers a variety of terrain and scenery. You can also connect a run here to the Charles Esplanade, the Fens running track, or the hills at the arboretum. Our route starts at the Back Bay Fens; from here you will follow a mix of paved and dirt pathways along the Muddy River all the way to the Arnold Arboretum. Don't miss the big hill in the Arboretum on this otherwise flat route. If you want to extend the run you can continue into Franklin Park. There are several street crossings on this route so proceed with caution.
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Chestnut Hill Reservoir & Heartbreak Hill
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Distance 6.5 mi
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Elevation 276 ft
This route gives you two Boston favorites in one: a lap of the flat, 1.5-mile, dirt path around pretty Chestnut Hill Reservoir and a hilly out and back on Commonwealth Avenue along the Boston Marathon course. This section of Commonwealth is the hilliest part of the marathon featuring the legendary Heartbreak Hill. What better place to do your marathon training? We like to run on the “Carriage Road” which runs right alongside the main Commonwealth Avenue to avoid most of the traffic. The reservoir is a great place for speed work on the soft surface of the dirt path with cooling breezes coming off the water and views of the Boston skyline in the distance. It is especially popular with students from the nearby Boston College.
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The Common
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Distance 3.0 mi
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Elevation 77 ft
For the most historic landmarks in a short run, look no further than the Boston Common. You'll loop around the Common and the Public Garden and then down along the tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue Mall. This route is wonderfully shaded in the hot days of summer, but probably not great for a fast workout due to all the tourists and several street crossings. As you run take in the sights of the oldest city park in the country such as the Frog Pond and the Swan Boats at the Lagoon in the Public Garden. The final stretch of our run brings you up Beacon Street Hill in front of the State House before finishing along the Freedom Trail.
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Blue Hills Reservation
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Distance 5.8 mi
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Elevation 490 ft
Just ten miles outside of Boston, tranquility can be found at the beautiful Blue Hills Reservation. Get your shoes dirty on the trails that traverse both marshlands and 600-foot tall rocky hills. This rolling hilly route follows the white triangle trail or the “Forest Path Loop”, just one loop of the 125 miles of trails at Blue Hills. The trails here are well marked and shared with mountain bikers. Venture on to any of the other countless trails to add more climbing if you like. Take a short detour on the Skyline Trail to crest the top of one of the big hills for sweeping views of the Boston area. If it’s a warm summer day, take a dip in the pond after your run to cool off.
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Battle Road Trail
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Distance 9.4 mi
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Elevation 413 ft
Travel back in time to the Revolutionary War as you run the Battle Road Trail from Lexington to Concord. This packed gravel trail is part of the Minute Man National Historic Park, which preserves the sites that saw the beginning of the Revolutionary War. You will follow the route the British army took as they retreated from the Colonists. Pay attention for historic markers along the way including the spot where Paul Revere was captured, as you wind down the wooded, gently rolling path. Our out and back route starts from the parking lot at the eastern end of the trail, conveniently located just off of I-95.
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Castle Island
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Distance 5.2 mi
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Elevation 60 ft
Enjoy ocean views and sea breezes as you cruise on this car-free, paved route along the South Boston shoreline. Take a lap around Pleasure Bay and Castle Island, where you'll have amazing views of Boston Harbor from the backside of Fort Independence. Then add on an out and back along the Boston HarborWalk waterfront pathway down to Carson Beach.
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