El Yunque National Forest, located 25 miles east of San Juan, is a good spot for those interested in experiencing some of Puerto Rico’s lush foliage. It’s the only tropical rainforest in the National Forest system. There are options for running on some of the roads designated for ‘scenic driving’, or trail running in the forest’s 24 miles of hiking trails. Most of the trailheads come off Road 191, with the El Portal Visitor Center as a good anchor. Notes: The forest is very hilly; the roads have no shoulder; most of the trail running is quite rugged. A few recommendations:
Hiking Trails. Most of the trails are rugged and hilly, offering more challenging trail running. And most are quite short. Some options:One of the best trails is the 2.4 mile El Yunque Trail to El Yunque Peak, which travels over a combination of asphalt, gravel, and crushed stone, but gains lots of elevation. The astonishing views from the top of this green rainforest peak are absolutely worth the effort.
El Yunque Trail. Challenging 2.6 mile trail run to El Yunque Peak. Travels over a combination of asphalt, gravel, and crushed stone, but gains lots of elevation. The astonishing views from the top of this green rainforest peak are absolutely worth the effort.
El Yunque National Forest, located 25 miles east of San Juan, is a good spot for those interested in experiencing some of Puerto Rico’s lush foliage. It’s the only tropical rainforest in the National Forest system. There are options for running on some of the roads designated for ‘scenic driving’, or trail running in the forest’s 24 miles of hiking trails. Most of the trailheads come off Road 191, with the El Portal Visitor Center as a good anchor. Notes: The forest is very hilly; the roads have no shoulder; most of the trail running is quite rugged. A few recommendations:
Hiking Trails. Most of the trails are rugged and hilly, offering more challenging trail running. And most are quite short. Some options:One of the best trails is the 2.4 mile El Yunque Trail to El Yunque Peak, which travels over a combination of asphalt, gravel, and crushed stone, but gains lots of elevation. The astonishing views from the top of this green rainforest peak are absolutely worth the effort.
El Yunque Trail. Challenging 2.6 mile trail run to El Yunque Peak. Travels over a combination of asphalt, gravel, and crushed stone, but gains lots of elevation. The astonishing views from the top of this green rainforest peak are absolutely worth the effort.
Highlights of San Juan running include two beaches, a tour of lovely Old San Juan, historic Paseo del Morro out to the Fort, and a linear path around Isla Verde. See our separate guide for all the best runs in San Juan.
A wonderful coastal run in Cataño, at the south end of San Juan Bay. Combination boardwalk and asphalt paths make up the 1 mile long malecón along Ocean Drive. Can be extended on nearby sidewalks. A great 5k out and back.
A long multi-use asphalt pathway along the river Bayamón, ending at the Ensenada de Boca Vieja (bay). Very pretty, as most of the path is through a beautifully manicured linear park. Up to 5.5 miles one-way, though options for shorter distances.
This national park in Bayamón features a good variety for running. There are easygoing, wide dirt paths that make for a good ~2 mile loop, and some additional technical singletrack trails that are more challenging.
In the Cerro Gordo National Park area near Dorado, there's great running on the paths of the Cerro Gordo Mountain Bike Trail and on the firm sands of Cerro Gordo Beach.
The cement walkway/boardwalk along Avenida Victor Rojas in Arecibo on Puerto Rico's northern coast offers stunning ocean views. It's nearly 2 miles between the bridge over the Río Grande to the point of Obrero. A great spot for a sunset run.
Great water views in this run between Jobos Beach and Punta Sardina, along Isabela's beaches. Combination of good shoulder on Route 466, bike lane, and Paseo Tablado de Isabela (boardwalk). Up to 8.4 miles out and back.
A low-key trail running spot stretches from the Villa Montana resorts to the gorgeous sands of Survival Beach. This area is in the northwest corner of the island, not far from Isabela.
There are some nice running options in Mayagüez, on Puerto Rico's west coast. The Paseo del Litoral along the coast, the University of Puerto Rico campus, the Parque Lineal, and Parque de Los Próceres.
Cool long distance running in the mountains of inland Cayey can be found in the village of Jájome, a popular local training spot. We've mapped 8.3 miles between Guayama and Cayey, along the scenic PR-15 road. Hilly!
Some decent running options in Ponce, Puerto Rico's second largest city. A short run in the La Guancha waterfront boardwalk area, and longer options on paths along the the Portugués & Bucaná rivers.
Varied running options on the destination island of Vieques. The best places include Route 200, Sun Bay, Esperanza, the Puerto Ferro Lighthouse, and Punta Arenas. Nice combination of beach, trails, quiet roads.
These rural roads surrounding a former military base on Puerto Rico's east coast are mostly out-of-use, making this a great spot for a longer run on paved, untrafficked roads. Can easily put together 8+ miles. Recommended to run in groups.
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The Forest is generally very hilly!
Forest is 25 miles east of San Juan. El Portal Visitor Center is a good anchor
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