Best Runs Along the Great Lakes

Kingston Waterfront Pathway

Kingston, Ontario

The signature run in Kingston, with some 11 km of scenic pathway along the St. Lawrence River. Great views, several parks and visitor sites, such as the former Kingston Penitentiary. Good add-on and route variation options.

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Oshawa Waterfront Trail

Oshawa, Ontario

Along the Water | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Parkrun

The signature run in Oshawa. Up to 15.5 km along Lake Ontario through a series of parks, with great water views. A couple of on-road and inland sections. We've described segment distances and highlights. Part of the 1400 km Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.

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Pickering/Ajax Waterfront

Toronto: GTA (Oshawa to Burlington, except the City of Toronto)

Along the Water | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Seaside Promenades

Some of the nicest waterfront running in the GTA is 11.5 km along Lake Ontario between Pickering and Ajax. Paved multi-use path with some great water views. There's also some nice running on the Trans Canada Trail along Duffins Creek

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Scarborough Running Options

Toronto: City

The iconic run in Scarborough is the waterfront path at Scarborough Bluffs, with great views of the cliffs and the waterfront. There's also a 10 km waterfront path between East Point Park and Frenchman's Bay. Trail runners will love Rouge River Park.

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Martin Goodman Trail

Toronto: City

Along the Water | Iconic

The signature running trail along the Lake Ontario waterfront in Toronto. A great run from downtown is from Queen’s Quay to the Humber River Bridge, about 5 miles.

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Mississauga Running Options

Toronto: GTA (Oshawa to Burlington, except the City of Toronto)

Along the Water | Multi-Use Trails | Parks | Near Airport

Some good running in this Toronto bedroom community. Two distinct lakeshore paths centered around Lakefront Promenade Park and Port Credit, a greenbelt starting in Erindale Park, and some pleasant residential neighborhoods for running.

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Oakville: Waterfront Running Options

Toronto: GTA (Oshawa to Burlington, except the City of Toronto)

Along the Water | Great Views | Multi-Use Trails | Seaside Promenades

Some nice waterfront running in Oakville, part of GTA's Halton region between Toronto and Oakville. We've mapped three sections of waterfront park paths. Lakeshore Rd. is runnable and can be used as a connector. Lovely parks and water views!

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Hamilton/Burlington Beach Waterfront Trail

Hamilton, Ontario

Along the Water | Multi-Use Trails

Scenic waterfront path that runs for 13 km between Burlington and eastern Hamilton. The paved mult-use trail is mainly along Hamilton Beach and Burlington Beach, with uninterrupted views of the water. Choose a section!

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North St. Catharines Waterfront & Welland Canal

St. Catharines/Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Along the Water | Great Views | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails

Our favorite area to run in St. Catharines, with several attractive waterfront paths: the Waterfront Trail along Lake Ontario, the Welland Canal Trail, and the George Nicholson Memorial Trail out to MacIntyre Bay. Options to mix & match!

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Bird Island Pier and Unity Island Park

Buffalo, NY

Along the Water | Iconic

Wonderful running path with great views of the Niagara River, Lake Erie, and the Peace Bridge. Accessible from Broderick Park. Bird Island Pier path is 2.2 miles. Unity Island Park adds 1.8 miles, so total RT can be 7.5 miles.

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Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway

Cleveland, OH

Gorgeous path spans 17-miles of Lake Erie shoreline. Highlights include Cleveland’s best architecture in Collinwood, Bratenahl, and scenic Edgewater State Park. We've mapped the route and point out the best sections. Video excerpts!

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Cedar Point – Runs, Thrills, and Chills

Sandusky & Lake Erie Shores, OH

A unique and scenic run - take in gorgeous views of Lake Erie while hearing the screams coming from death-defying roller coasters. Lovely running on Cedar Point, with nice lake views, attractive homes, two runnable bridges, and an 'Amusement Park Loop'.

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Lakeside Marblehead Waterfront

Sandusky & Lake Erie Shores, OH

Along the Water

Scenic running in Lakeside Marblehead, a peninsula jutting out to Lake Erie located 20 min. from Sandusky. Enjoy the quaint downtown and lakeside road with an option for a loop of ~8 miles passing by the Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve.

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Milwaukee South Shore Along Lake Michigan

Milwaukee, WI

Along the Water | Multi-Use Trails | Parks | Rails-to-Trails

The South Shore of Milwaukee features stunning views of Lake Michigan, several beautiful parks and beaches, on this route that follows the Oak Leaf Trail through Bay View Park, Sheridian Park, and Grant Park.

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Chicago Lakefront Path

Chicago: Downtown & Central

This 18-mile trail is one of the most spectacular urban runs in the country. Gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, urban beaches, marinas, and beautiful parks, passing by some of the city’s famous cultural institutions.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes

Traverse City/Northwest Michigan

The incredibly scenic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a don’t miss destination. Out of the many trails here, the best for running is the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. We’ve mapped 5 miles out of the 20 mile multi-use path.

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The Lakewalk

Duluth, MN

Along the Water | Great Views | Iconic | Multi-Use Trails | Rails-to-Trails

Among the signature places to run in Duluth. The multi-use path follows Rt. 61 along Lake Superior from the Canal Park area for 7.5 miles, north to Brighton Beach. There are spectacular views of the lake, especially for the first 4 miles.

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Great Runs by the Great Lakes!

Kingston Waterfront Pathway

Kingston, Ontario

Oshawa Waterfront Trail

Oshawa, Ontario

Pickering/Ajax Waterfront

Toronto: GTA (Oshawa to Burlington, except the City of Toronto)

Scarborough Running Options

Toronto: City

Martin Goodman Trail

Toronto: City

Mississauga Running Options

Toronto: GTA (Oshawa to Burlington, except the City of Toronto)

Oakville: Waterfront Running Options

Toronto: GTA (Oshawa to Burlington, except the City of Toronto)

Hamilton/Burlington Beach Waterfront Trail

Hamilton, Ontario

North St. Catharines Waterfront & Welland Canal

St. Catharines/Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Bird Island Pier and Unity Island Park

Buffalo, NY

Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway

Cleveland, OH

Cedar Point – Runs, Thrills, and Chills

Sandusky & Lake Erie Shores, OH

Lakeside Marblehead Waterfront

Sandusky & Lake Erie Shores, OH

Milwaukee South Shore Along Lake Michigan

Milwaukee, WI

Chicago Lakefront Path

Chicago: Downtown & Central

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Traverse City/Northwest Michigan

The Lakewalk

Duluth, MN

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Great Runs by the Great Lakes!

Kingston Waterfront Pathway

Kingston, Ontario

Oshawa Waterfront Trail

Oshawa, Ontario

Pickering/Ajax Waterfront

Toronto: GTA (Oshawa to Burlington, except the City of Toronto)

Scarborough Running Options

Toronto: City

Martin Goodman Trail

Toronto: City

Mississauga Running Options

Toronto: GTA (Oshawa to Burlington, except the City of Toronto)

Oakville: Waterfront Running Options

Toronto: GTA (Oshawa to Burlington, except the City of Toronto)

Hamilton/Burlington Beach Waterfront Trail

Hamilton, Ontario

North St. Catharines Waterfront & Welland Canal

St. Catharines/Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Bird Island Pier and Unity Island Park

Buffalo, NY

Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway

Cleveland, OH

Cedar Point – Runs, Thrills, and Chills

Sandusky & Lake Erie Shores, OH

Lakeside Marblehead Waterfront

Sandusky & Lake Erie Shores, OH

Milwaukee South Shore Along Lake Michigan

Milwaukee, WI

Chicago Lakefront Path

Chicago: Downtown & Central

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Traverse City/Northwest Michigan

The Lakewalk

Duluth, MN

Comment on this Route/Share a Photo!

Help Support Great Runs Support the Running Community and Keep Us Ad- and Subscription-free

Help Support Great Runs
Support the Running Community and Keep Us Ad- and Subscription-free