Colorado State University in Fort Collins is the flagship of the CSU system and an important part of the city’s economy with its 32,000 students. Located just south of downtown, there are some excellent running options around the campus and on the extensive trail system in the area. Below are some options, which can be combined in various ways!
CSU Campus & Loop. Enjoy running on the series of pedestrian paths through the university’s main campus, between Laurel St. & Prospect Rd. Start at the CSU Oval, and then run the pedestrian-only Central Avenue Mall for 0.5 miles through the campus, which is both festive and a good anchor point. There’s the Jack Christiansen Memorial Track at the eastern edge of campus off Mason St. There, you can also connect to the Mason Trail (below).
There’s also a 5k campus loop — a popular Strava Segment! Uses Laurel St-College Ave.-Lake St.-Shield St.
Mason Trail. At the eastern end of campus, this concrete rail trail runs along the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway for 4.7 miles from Laurel Ave. south to Fossil Creek Parkway. Not terribly scenic, but a good way to add some easy, flat miles. At the south end, connect to the Fossil Creek Trail, and our route in the Fossil Ridge area.
Spring Creek Trail. Just of W Prospect Rd., connect to the Spring Creek Trail, where you can run east for 3 miles to Cattail Chorus Natural Area (connection to the Power Trail @ Edora Park), or west for 4.5 miles to the Pineridge Natural Area and connections to additional trails.
Colorado State University in Fort Collins is the flagship of the CSU system and an important part of the city’s economy with its 32,000 students. Located just south of downtown, there are some excellent running options around the campus and on the extensive trail system in the area. Below are some options, which can be combined in various ways!
CSU Campus & Loop. Enjoy running on the series of pedestrian paths through the university’s main campus, between Laurel St. & Prospect Rd. Start at the CSU Oval, and then run the pedestrian-only Central Avenue Mall for 0.5 miles through the campus, which is both festive and a good anchor point. There’s the Jack Christiansen Memorial Track at the eastern edge of campus off Mason St. There, you can also connect to the Mason Trail (below).
There’s also a 5k campus loop — a popular Strava Segment! Uses Laurel St-College Ave.-Lake St.-Shield St.
Mason Trail. At the eastern end of campus, this concrete rail trail runs along the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway for 4.7 miles from Laurel Ave. south to Fossil Creek Parkway. Not terribly scenic, but a good way to add some easy, flat miles. At the south end, connect to the Fossil Creek Trail, and our route in the Fossil Ridge area.
Spring Creek Trail. Just of W Prospect Rd., connect to the Spring Creek Trail, where you can run east for 3 miles to Cattail Chorus Natural Area (connection to the Power Trail @ Edora Park), or west for 4.5 miles to the Pineridge Natural Area and connections to additional trails.
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