It’s a treat to run on the University of Georgia campus. This major university, with 40,000 students, is located just south of downtown, and features a sprawling campus, with impressive buildings featuring a mix of Federal, Classical, and Antebellum architecture, and an impressive network of pedestrian paths, making it a delight to explore. There’s a running track, and, at the far southeastern end of campus, ~3 miles of trails at Oconee Forest Park. There are other nearby trails & running routes for good add-ons.
We’ve mapped a route through campus to use as a guideline. The campus orientation is north-south, with the heart between S Lumpkin St. & S Jackson St. This campus map is an excellent resource, showing the main buildings and paths/sidewalks. A great place to start is the UGA Arch, which is just off Broad St. downtown. The first 0.4 miles passes through the historic heart of the campus, and includes the main quad anchored by the Library and some of the most important buildings. South of Baldwin St., follow the path alongside S. Lumkin St., for up to 1 mile, passing numerous buildings, residence halls, & fields. At Carlton St., head west on Spring St. for 0.2 miles to access the Spec Towns Track.
Oconee Forest Park. Google Street View
Oconee Forest Park. Run this separately or as part of your UGA campus run. It’s another ~0.5 miles south, & directly behind the intramural fields (use either the path alongside Architecture Rd. or Campus Dr., or the the paths near the Georgia Museum of Art & the Visitors Center). The 60-acre university-owned park is lovely for running, with generally wide gravel trails, 100-year-old oak-hickory forest and a lake. A loop is ~3 miles, including ~0.75 miles along Lake Herrick. NOTE: We suggest avoiding the designated mountain bike trail.
Add-Ons: The North Oconee River Greenway passes just east of campus. Can also combine with our Downtown Athens ‘Runseeing’ Tour.
It’s a treat to run on the University of Georgia campus. This major university, with 40,000 students, is located just south of downtown, and features a sprawling campus, with impressive buildings featuring a mix of Federal, Classical, and Antebellum architecture, and an impressive network of pedestrian paths, making it a delight to explore. There’s a running track, and, at the far southeastern end of campus, ~3 miles of trails at Oconee Forest Park. There are other nearby trails & running routes for good add-ons.
We’ve mapped a route through campus to use as a guideline. The campus orientation is north-south, with the heart between S Lumpkin St. & S Jackson St. This campus map is an excellent resource, showing the main buildings and paths/sidewalks. A great place to start is the UGA Arch, which is just off Broad St. downtown. The first 0.4 miles passes through the historic heart of the campus, and includes the main quad anchored by the Library and some of the most important buildings. South of Baldwin St., follow the path alongside S. Lumkin St., for up to 1 mile, passing numerous buildings, residence halls, & fields. At Carlton St., head west on Spring St. for 0.2 miles to access the Spec Towns Track.
Oconee Forest Park. Google Street View
Oconee Forest Park. Run this separately or as part of your UGA campus run. It’s another ~0.5 miles south, & directly behind the intramural fields (use either the path alongside Architecture Rd. or Campus Dr., or the the paths near the Georgia Museum of Art & the Visitors Center). The 60-acre university-owned park is lovely for running, with generally wide gravel trails, 100-year-old oak-hickory forest and a lake. A loop is ~3 miles, including ~0.75 miles along Lake Herrick. NOTE: We suggest avoiding the designated mountain bike trail.
Add-Ons: The North Oconee River Greenway passes just east of campus. Can also combine with our Downtown Athens ‘Runseeing’ Tour.
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Essentials
It's ~2 miles through the heart of campus, and ~2 miles from the north end to Oconee Forest Park. Park loop is ~2.2 miles
Rolling hill terrain
UGA Arch @ Broad St. Or other spots on campus
Good access from downtown. See the campus map for access & parking info
A great anchor for running in Athens. The 6-mile paved multi-use path follows the North Oconee River, passing just east of downtown & the UGA campus. Mix of open & wooded terrain, and occasional water views.
Lovely residential neighborhood running in the Cobbman & Boulevard historic districts near downtown. Enjoy tree-shaded streets and historic homes in the Antebellum, Federal, Greek Revival, Queen Anne and American Craftsman styles.
A major botanical garden that's also a good running spot. There are themed gardens and 5 miles of trails, weaving past gardens and through woodland and some open prairie.
The 782-acre Sandy Creek Park, located 5 miles north of downtown Athens, is a great trail running spot. Over 14 miles of mainly forested trails, including a 7.5 mile loop around Chapman Lake.
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Essentials
It's ~2 miles through the heart of campus, and ~2 miles from the north end to Oconee Forest Park. Park loop is ~2.2 miles
Rolling hill terrain
UGA Arch @ Broad St. Or other spots on campus
Good access from downtown. See the campus map for access & parking info
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!