Our 10k ‘runseeing’ tour of Albany takes in a nice variety, while capturing some of Albany’s important and historical highlights. Our loop includes the Capitol, Empire State Plaza, two parks, and a section of the waterfront. The route can be modified for longer or shorter. PRO TIP: Tulip festival in May — 100,000 tulips!
Washington Park Playhouse. Wikimedia
Start near the Capitol at The Egg, and head west through East and West Capitol Parks, with nice views of the Capitol and other historic state buildings. There’s a kiosk with a map of the area/ The next section is a ~ 1 mile loop of Washington Park, which features paths around a lake, sports fields, playgrounds, gardens & statues. Exiting the park, use Elm St. to head south to Lincoln Park, which has some fields and a public pool. Take Museum Rd. to head back to the Empire Plaza area, which is a must-see for what works and what doesn’t in urban planning. It was built over a period of 10 years for a cost of $2 billion. The next section is an optional ~1 mile waterfront jaunt. Take the the Hudson River Way pedestrian path off of Broadway to get to the water, with views to the D & H Building, a 6-section Gothic & Dutch-style former railway company building with a 13-story tower. At Jennings Landing, enjoy a waterfront path around the Corning City Preserve, then make your way back to the start.
Shorter Options: Can eliminate the Lincoln Park or the waterfront loop (each saves ~ 1 mile).
Longer Option: At Jennings Landing, can continue on paved Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail north for up to 5 miles.
Our 10k ‘runseeing’ tour of Albany takes in a nice variety, while capturing some of Albany’s important and historical highlights. Our loop includes the Capitol, Empire State Plaza, two parks, and a section of the waterfront. The route can be modified for longer or shorter. PRO TIP: Tulip festival in May — 100,000 tulips!
Washington Park Playhouse. Wikimedia
Start near the Capitol at The Egg, and head west through East and West Capitol Parks, with nice views of the Capitol and other historic state buildings. There’s a kiosk with a map of the area/ The next section is a ~ 1 mile loop of Washington Park, which features paths around a lake, sports fields, playgrounds, gardens & statues. Exiting the park, use Elm St. to head south to Lincoln Park, which has some fields and a public pool. Take Museum Rd. to head back to the Empire Plaza area, which is a must-see for what works and what doesn’t in urban planning. It was built over a period of 10 years for a cost of $2 billion. The next section is an optional ~1 mile waterfront jaunt. Take the the Hudson River Way pedestrian path off of Broadway to get to the water, with views to the D & H Building, a 6-section Gothic & Dutch-style former railway company building with a 13-story tower. At Jennings Landing, enjoy a waterfront path around the Corning City Preserve, then make your way back to the start.
Shorter Options: Can eliminate the Lincoln Park or the waterfront loop (each saves ~ 1 mile).
Longer Option: At Jennings Landing, can continue on paved Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail north for up to 5 miles.
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Essentials
6 miles (10 km) loop, with options for longer or shorter
The best bet for some running along the Hudson River in the Albany area is the Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail. The paved, multi-use path starts steps from downtown and heads north for 5 miles. Good water and bridge views, and some nice parks.
A pleasant park with paved trails passing through fields, meadows, woodlands, an an arboretum. A perimeter route of the park is ~3 miles. Adjacent to the park is an indoor rec center with a running track, pool, and other fitness facilities.
One of our favorite places to run in the Albany area. A loop of the park is ~2 miles, featuring views of the Hudson River and Mohawk River. Extend with a path to the historic Erie Canal Lock. Great water views!
Running is permitted in this 467-acre historic cemetery located six miles north of downtown Albany. It's a pastoral spot, and many runners head here for the quiet paths and hill training opportunities.
For some scenic and gentle trail running, this area of pine barrens features 20 miles of rolling hill trails, from wide open sandy trails to narrow grassy woodland paths. The trails are color-coded and well marked. Located 8 miles west of Albany.
Schodack Island State Park, located 10 miles south of Albany, is a good spot for some gentle path and trail running. The park borders the Hudson River, and has 3-4 miles of mainly wooded trails.
A good option for a longer off-road run. This 9-mile paved multi-use trail goes from Coon’s Crossing in Halfmoon (near Mechanicsville) to Ballston Spa. Mainly wooded. Sights along the way include Round Lake and Shenantaha Creek Park.
A good opportunity for a longer off-road run in the Albany area. The multi-use path follows the bed of a former railroad for nearly 9 miles west to Voorheesville. The landscape is a mix of residential suburbs, fields and farms, and some woods.
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Essentials
6 miles (10 km) loop, with options for longer or shorter
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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!