One of our favorite runs in Wilmington is the loop around Greenfield Lake. The lake is located just south of the Historic District, and features a 4.5-mile combination of roads and paths around its circumference. The area is quite park-like, with a lovely canopy of pines and Spanish moss. Follow Lake Shore Dr., and some of the paths alongside the lake. There are water views along part of the way.
Longer Run: Greenfield Lake can be accessed from the Historic District. It’s 1.3 miles south of the southern end of the River Walk. The best way to run use 5th St., which is newly paved (as of 2026), has a nice bike lane, and avoids a tricky crossing of HWY 17.
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One of our favorite runs in Wilmington is the loop around Greenfield Lake. The lake is located just south of the Historic District, and features a 4.5-mile combination of roads and paths around its circumference. The area is quite park-like, with a lovely canopy of pines and Spanish moss. Follow Lake Shore Dr., and some of the paths alongside the lake. There are water views along part of the way.
Longer Run: Greenfield Lake can be accessed from the Historic District. It’s 1.3 miles south of the southern end of the River Walk. The best way to run use 5th St., which is newly paved (as of 2026), has a nice bike lane, and avoids a tricky crossing of HWY 17.
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Essentials
4.5 mile (7.2 km) loop
65 feet
Off Lake Shore Dr.
Use Lake Shore Dr. Can be accessed from downtown - use S Front St.
A lovely run and a way to explore Wilmington is to enjoy a jaunt along the Riverwalk and then the residential side streets of the city's Historic District. The wood-planked Riverwalk is 2 miles, and the residential streets have lovely older homes and a nice canopy.
Attractive campus for running, with numerous pedestrian paths and the iconic Chancellor's Walk. Also, 2.5 miles of the Cross City Trail runs through campus. For a longer run, connect to Long Lead Park and enjoy the 1.5 mile perimeter path.
A decent run in the area between historic downtown and the UNC campus, highlighting a section of the Cross City Trail passing through Empie Park and a pleasant residential area off Park Ave.
A great beach for running, located just east of downtown Wilmington. The popular beach is ~4 miles long and and known for its surf. Quite wide, with firm, compact sand, though surf and tidally dependent.
Terrific spot for running only 20 minutes south of Wilmington. 9 miles of trails. with a mix of wooded and open terrain, with views to marshes, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Cape Fear River. Just east is miles of wonderful beach running on Carolina Beach.
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Essentials
4.5 mile (7.2 km) loop
65 feet
Off Lake Shore Dr.
Use Lake Shore Dr. Can be accessed from downtown - use S Front St.
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!