Features:
Scenic Drive is the actual name of a road in El Paso, aptly named for its scenic views of the city and the mountains. The road itself is 2 miles long, featuring several overlooks. It’s a good opportunity for a hilly run with great views. Note that Scenic Dr. does not have a sidewalk or a wide shoulder, so use caution and try for off-peak times. It is closed to cars on Sunday mornings. Scenic Drive is also accessible from downtown, using Stanton Rd. to Rim Rd.
Short Run: Scenic Dr. road itself is 2 miles of rolling hills with a 270 foot gain — runnable and not too steep. It runs off of Rim Rd. at Billy Rogers Arroyo, to Newman Park. For more, the trails in the Arroyo are also good or running — it’s 1 mile from end-to-end.
Longer Run: A favorite route is to start at the Up and Running running store on Sun Bowl. Run through the University of Texas at El Paso campus, using W. University Ave. and then Rim Rd. This route is 9.7 miles out and back, and also adds ~500 feet of elevation gain.
Add-On: The Manhattan Heights, El Paso’s poshest residential neighborhood, is adjacent to the northeastern end of Scenic Dr., at Newman Park. It’s bound by Grant Ave./Memorial Park in the south.
- Scenic Drive is 2 miles each way; Longer run is 9.7 miles (15.7 km) from Up and Running store
- Short: 270 feet (82m); Long: 760 feet (230m)
- Scenic Drive starts off Rim Rd. or Newman Park; Longer run starts at Up and Running store or Univ. of Texas at El Paso
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