On Global Running Day, lace up your shoes and hit the trails. Here are some of the best running trails in Canada!

Photo by @coldbeer

Ontario

Toronto

In the heart of Toronto, Ontario, runners can find a mix of urban and natural beauty. Here are some of the best spots:

Downtown: Queens Park and the downtown tour provide a cityscape backdrop, while the Martin Goodman Trail offers a waterside run.
Waterfront/South: Along with the Martin Goodman Trail, enjoy waterfront trails and the island, a unique running locale just a 15-minute ferry ride from downtown.
West: Check out the western extension of the Martin Goodman trail, the scenic Humber River trail, Sunnyside Beach, and High Park.
East: Run through The Beaches, along the Lower Don Valley River trails, or in the Distillery District. Trails in the suburb of Scarborough add to the eastern options.
Midtown: The Beltline Trail, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, and the neighbourhoods of Forest Hill and Summerhill/Yorkville/Rosedale offer midtown running routes.
North: The Botanical Gardens, a linear park around the Science Center, and the Ravine Trail between Sunnybrook Park & Muir Gardens are excellent northern routes.

Guelph

Known as the ‘running capital of Canada,’ Guelph offers a variety of running options:

Speed/Eramosa Rivers Trail: This trail is a Guelph signature, offering a scenic run along the rivers.
Speed River Trail: This trail passes through several parks to Guelph Lake, offering a mix of natural and urban scenery.
University of Guelph/Arboretum: The campus is pleasant for running, especially the adjacent 400-acre Arboretum with 12.5 km of trails.
Southwestern Guelph Linear Park 10k Run: This 10k run stitches together several parks in southwestern Guelph, offering a varied and enjoyable route.

Photo by Jaime Reimer

Alberta

Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, is a treat for runners, boasting some of the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway networks in North America:

Bow River & Elbow River Pathways: These are the signature runs in the downtown area, offering scenic river views.
Nose Hill Park: Just north of downtown, these hilly trails are some of the most significant examples of the grassland ecosystem left on the Canadian prairies.
Confluence Park: Near the airport, this park offers nice prairie terrain.
Bowness Park, Bowmont Park, & Twelve Mile Coulee: In northwest Calgary, these three parks form a beautiful running route.
Glenmore Reservoir: Just south of downtown, the reservoir and its surrounding trails offer a refreshing waterside run.
Fish Creek Provincial Park: With 80 km of trails, this park is a running paradise.

Photo by James Wheeler

British Columbia

Vancouver

Vancouver, Canada, is one of North America’s top running cities. Surrounded by oceans and mountains, Vancouver is home to some of the most stunning scenic trails.

Stanley Park: More than 1,000 acres, Stanley Park spoils runners with the waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay.
The Seawall: The world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path with highlights along the path connecting to the Stanley Park Loop, False Creek, and the Seaside area.
False Creek Loop: Run past the Plaza of Nations, Science World, and the Olympic Village, the path continues through Granville Island with fantastic water and skyline views.
Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks Park: Catch a wonderful view of mountains and the water on this sandy path.
Kits Beach: Looking for multi-sport activities? Enjoy the running trails, bike paths, and huge public outdoor pool (heated), volleyball courts, tennis courts, or even rent a kayak!
The Grouse Grind: This famous 1.8-mile run features 2,830 stairs levelling up to 2,800 feet in elevation and is part of Grouse Mountain, a major recreation destination.

Photo by Clément Proust

Québec

Montréal

Montréal, Québec, is great for runners. With a variety of paths and a number of large parks, beautiful neighbourhoods, and multi-use paths, it’s hard to choose.

Mount Royal: An iconic Montréal run, this Olmsted-designed park offers numerous beautiful trails.
Lachine Canal & Aqueduct Paths: Lachine is a historic park that follows a linear path along the canal. A particularly good trail is to start at the Atwater Market to its terminus in Lachine.
Lafontaine Park & Area: Statues, paths, and cafés, what’s not to love? Run miles on this lovely trail and end up at Fairmont Bagels for a well-deserved treat.
West Island: Centennial Park & Bois-De-Liesse Nature Park: Features large parks for a combined 15 km of pure running bliss.
Parc Frédéric-Back: If you want to run with some company, look no further. Home to Parqrun, a free group 5k run every Saturday.
Angrignon Park & Aqueduct Paths: Features scenic trails through woods and around ponds that can also connect to the Aqueduct Canal and the Lachine Rapids path.