Two of the most famous universities in the world are also popular visitor destinations. We’ve designed a ‘running’ tour of both campuses, which are 2 miles apart and are linked by either neighborhood streets or the Charles River Paths (Cambridge side). Harvard University is set on the Charles right in Harvard Square, while MIT is in Kendall Square, which is also home to many tech and life sciences companies. The whole tour is about 8 miles, although one can certainly choose specific segments. Another option: Harvard and MIT are two stops apart on the ‘Red Line’ (subway).
For tradition’ sake, we start the route at Harvard Stadium, where you can choose the option of a jaunt up the famous stadium stairs or around the gorgeous athletic fields and track (all publicly accessible). Then take a quick jaunt around the quad of the Harvard Business School. Head back, crossing the Charles River on the Anderson Bridge, and then bang a quick left for a short scoot through JFK Park to the Kennedy School of Government. Take Brattle St. into Harvard Square, and enter the main gates of Harvard. Do a little loop of the Harvard Yard (statue, Widener Library, historic buildings), and then cross Cambridge St. to do a short loop around the quad housing the Science Center and Law School.
The next section connects Harvard to MIT — the way out uses neighborhood streets (alternative: river paths): Broadway heading east, LEFT on Trowbridge, LEFT on Harvard St., RIGHT on Prospect St. to Massachusetts Ave. (Route 2A), passing numerous stores and restaurants in Central Square, then ending up at the MIT Campus. This campus is not as bucolic or connected at Harvard, but it’s still worth it to do a jaunt around the main quad between Mass. Ave. and Ames St., or even a walk through the 1 mile long ‘Infinite Corridor‘. For the return back to Harvard, we suggest taking the Charles River path along Memorial Drive (good access at Ames St./MIT Sailing Pavillion). It’s about 2 miles back, with numerous bridge options to cross to the Boston side.
Options:Shorten the run by taking the Red Line back from Kendall Sq. OR, run even longer east on the Charles River, and take the Red Line back from the Charles/MGH stop.
Two of the most famous universities in the world are also popular visitor destinations. We’ve designed a ‘running’ tour of both campuses, which are 2 miles apart and are linked by either neighborhood streets or the Charles River Paths (Cambridge side). Harvard University is set on the Charles right in Harvard Square, while MIT is in Kendall Square, which is also home to many tech and life sciences companies. The whole tour is about 8 miles, although one can certainly choose specific segments. Another option: Harvard and MIT are two stops apart on the ‘Red Line’ (subway).
For tradition’ sake, we start the route at Harvard Stadium, where you can choose the option of a jaunt up the famous stadium stairs or around the gorgeous athletic fields and track (all publicly accessible). Then take a quick jaunt around the quad of the Harvard Business School. Head back, crossing the Charles River on the Anderson Bridge, and then bang a quick left for a short scoot through JFK Park to the Kennedy School of Government. Take Brattle St. into Harvard Square, and enter the main gates of Harvard. Do a little loop of the Harvard Yard (statue, Widener Library, historic buildings), and then cross Cambridge St. to do a short loop around the quad housing the Science Center and Law School.
The next section connects Harvard to MIT — the way out uses neighborhood streets (alternative: river paths): Broadway heading east, LEFT on Trowbridge, LEFT on Harvard St., RIGHT on Prospect St. to Massachusetts Ave. (Route 2A), passing numerous stores and restaurants in Central Square, then ending up at the MIT Campus. This campus is not as bucolic or connected at Harvard, but it’s still worth it to do a jaunt around the main quad between Mass. Ave. and Ames St., or even a walk through the 1 mile long ‘Infinite Corridor‘. For the return back to Harvard, we suggest taking the Charles River path along Memorial Drive (good access at Ames St./MIT Sailing Pavillion). It’s about 2 miles back, with numerous bridge options to cross to the Boston side.
Options:Shorten the run by taking the Red Line back from Kendall Sq. OR, run even longer east on the Charles River, and take the Red Line back from the Charles/MGH stop.
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Essentials
Full route is 8 miles (12.8 km); Can be done in segments or shortened
Fairly flat
Harvard Stadium or Harvard Square. Can also start at MIT/Kendall Square
MBTA Red Line: Harvard Square (Harvard), or Kendall Square (MIT)
One of the most famous runs in the country. Run all the way from downtown to Newton! Sections on the Boston side and Cambridge side, with numerous bridges along the way, allowing for great loops.
An Olmsted-designed linear park running 8 miles from the State House to Franklin Park. Highlights: Boston Common, Public Garden, Comm Ave. Mall, Fens, Riverway, Jamaica Pond, Arnold Arboretum, Franklin Park.
There are 43 miles of path known as the 'Harborwalk'. We've mapped the most scenic 14-mile continuous segment, from Charlestown to UMASSS. Water views, important sites, and a festive scene! Table with segment distances.
The 6-mile segment from Pleasure Bay to UMASS in South Boston is our favorite section of the Boston waterfront for running, with expansive water views. Includes Castle Island, Carson Beach, JFK Library, and UMASS Boston, with its dramatic waterfront setting!
In the 1980s, the old orange line trolley was put underground. The result is a beautiful running path that starts in the heart of Back Bay and continues all the way to Forest Hills, 4 miles one-way.
A great tour of Boston's Back Bay. Includes the Commonwealth Ave. Mall, Public Garden, State House, and a jaunt along the river. Captures so much of Boston in one run!
A tour of Boston's lovely South End, which is easily accessible from Back Bay or downtown hotels. Brownstone lined streets, pleasant, historic squares and parks, and main streets lined with restaurants and boutiques.
Another classic run that includes Boston's history and the water. Run up to the Bunker Hill Monument, and then enjoy the Harborwalk past the USS Constitution and along the water. Near downtown and river paths.
Fabulous running across the Harbor in East Boston, adjacent to Logan Airport. 2+ miles of gorgeous waterfront paths, then 2+ miles along the East Boston Greenway through Bremen Street Park to Constitution Beach. 10 mins from downtown on the Blue Line.
Great waterfront running on Winthrop Shores Drive, and then the best run you'll ever do around a waste treatment plant, using a 2.5 mile perimeter loop around Deer Isle with 360° ocean views. Do in sections or combine for nearly 8 miles.
Some lovely running options just north of Boston: Scenic, paved multi-use paths along the Mystic River; the ~11 mile Northern Strand Community Path from Everett to Lynn; and 100 miles of mixed-use trails in Middlesex Fells Reservation.
History and scenery combine for fantastic running in historic Concord. Run the 4.6 mile Battle Road Trail, do our Author's Ridge & Old North Bridge tour, or run the Reformatory Branch/Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge loop. Gorgeous in fall!
The Boston Harbor Islands National Park features 34 islands and 35 miles of undeveloped shoreline. Spectacle Island is the most run-able, with 5 miles of trails. Deer Island, accessible by land, has a 2.6 mile path with great views.
Wellesley is a fabulous suburb for running. Enjoy a route around the paths of Olmsted-designed Wellesley College and the 2.75 mile path around Lake Waban, plus adjacent residential streets and the Crosstown Path. Two great running tracks too!
A guide to some of Boston's most attractive neighborhoods for running. Downtown, explore the Back Bay and South end. Just west, we've outlined choice neighborhoods in Brookline, Newton, and Wellesley.
There is nothing quite like the views of cranberries at harvest. The Cranberry Bog has paths along a dike with great views. Enjoy this in combination with 1,000 acre Great Brook Farm State Park, which is 1.5 miles away and has wonderful trails for running.
Three routes in the orchard towns of Harvard, Stow, and Bolton west of Boston around I-495. Lovely roads, with hills and views to orchards and the valley. Enjoy 5 or 10 mile options from the Apple Harvest Ramble, or a route along the Assabet River Rail Trail.
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Essentials
Full route is 8 miles (12.8 km); Can be done in segments or shortened
Fairly flat
Harvard Stadium or Harvard Square. Can also start at MIT/Kendall Square
MBTA Red Line: Harvard Square (Harvard), or Kendall Square (MIT)
The next section connects Harvard to MIT — the way out uses neighborhood streets (alternative: river paths): Broadway heading east, LEFT on Trowbridge, LEFT on Harvard St., RIGHT on Prospect St. to Massachusetts Ave. (Route 2A), passing numerous stores and restaurants in Central Square, then ending up at the MIT Campus. This campus is not as bucolic or connected at Harvard, but it’s still worth it to do a jaunt around the main quad between Mass. Ave. and Ames St., or even a walk through the 1 mile long ‘Infinite Corridor‘. For the return back to Harvard, we suggest taking the Charles River path along Memorial Drive (good access at Ames St./MIT Sailing Pavillion). It’s about 2 miles back, with numerous bridge options to cross to the Boston side.
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!