Best Places to Run

 

Whether you’re looking for pavement that stretches for miles or rolling singletrack shaded by long-leaf pines, there are plenty of great places to run in Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Durham.

The area is known for warm summers and mild winters, making it ideal for year-round running. And when you’re not running, you can explore downtown Durham to sample dishes from its flourishing food scene or catch a game from (one of) the Triangle’s championship-winning teams.

Looking for people to run with? Get plugged in with a running group or training program in Carrboro or at one of our Durham locations. We'll show you all the best places to run around town!

 

Duke Track (Durham)

Great for speed workouts!

Our very own PR Project’s favorite speed training spot! Perfect for everything from short sprints to long interval training sessions, you can do it all here. The track is open most mornings (5am-8:30am) and most evenings (6-11pm). Check this website for the Hours of Open Recreation. Pay close attention to parking fees posted at each parking lot!

Park Here

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UNC Warm Up Loop (Chapel Hill)

Great for speed work and tempo runs!

Run the 1K (0.62 mile) loop of crushed gravel for your workout and access UNC's old cross country course on the backside of the loop for your warm up or cool down. You can easily connect this to running and walking paths around Meadowmont, or head over to Laurel Hill if you're looking for something less repetitive than a 1K loop!

Park Here

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Occoneechee Speedway (Hillsborough)

Ideal for tempo runs!

This is an old NASCAR race track, repurposed into a running and walking trail. It is just about 1K around and made of packed dirt, making it an excellent spot for speedwork or an easy run or walk. There are trails surrounding the Speedway as well, and you can get all the way to downtown Hillsborough on the riverwalk!

Park Here

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Laurel Hill (Chapel Hill)

Great for hill repeats or workouts!

For the ultimate challenge, run the infamous Mile 8.5 of the Tar Heel 10 Miler. With almost 200 feet of elevation gain in just under one mile, many runner’s goals are simply to make it to the top without taking a walking break. Start from the UNC disc golf parking lot and take bike path from back of parking lot to S Christopher St. Turn right and run parallel to Fordham Blvd, keeping St. Thomas Moore on your right. At the light, stay to the right on Fern Ln, take your next right on Laurel Hill Rd. Don't forget to enjoy the scenery on the way up!

Park Here

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Al Buehler Trail (Durham)

Great for hilly long runs!

The main loop of this trail is a hilly, crushed gravel 2.91 mile loop maintained by Duke Forest. 

Park Here

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Umstead (Durham / Raleigh)

Great for long runs and trails!

With over 5000 acres, every runner and walker can find a trail that fits into your training schedule. There are a variety of trails that range from your single-track technical option to wider multi-use trails. Also known for being one of the hillier options in the area, make sure you bring plenty of water!

Check out the trail map

Park here or here

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Carolina North Forest (Chapel Hill)

Great for long runs and trails!

Enjoy 750 acres of woodlands conveniently located between Carrboro and Chapel Hill. This is a very popular trail running spot in the area, with many different parking areas!  One of the most popular trails is the Pumpkin Loop, which is a wide trail, great for an easy trail run or introduction to trail running. Off the beaten path, there are tons of single track opportunities for those looking for a challenge!

Check out the trail map

Park here or here

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Duke Forest (Durham)

Great for any run!

Duke Forest is made up of 7,000 acres of woodlands, and is a wonderful place to visit for walking, running, hiking, or even mountain biking. Walking and running trails are marked by blue blazes, and parking is found mostly on the roadside near trail entries.

There are multiple divisions of the Duke Forest throughout the area so check out the overview map to find the closest location to you.

Check out the overview map

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American Tobacco Trail (Durham)

Great for any run!

A great greenway of 22+ miles of relatively flat paved and crushed gravel surfaces. There are multiple bathrooms and water fountains along the route, making this a great route for long runs! 

Check out the overview map

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Neuse River Trail (Durham)

Great for any run!

Enjoy 27.5 scenic miles complete with a vast array of wildlife and instagrammable scenery. With its wide 10” paved pathway, the Neuse River Trail is another popular spot for long runs and cycling days!

Check out the overview map