Ipanema is a neighborhood in the South Zone of Porto Alegre, about 15 km south of the center. There’s nice running on the Calçadão de Ipanema, a paved waterfront walkway along Ipanema Beach on the banks of Guaíba Lake. It’s a festive scene, with its lake views and waterfront parks. The official Calçadão runs for ~2 km, with an opportunity to extend for another 1 km. PRO TIP: Great sunsets! 

The path runs along Ipanema Beach (Praia de Ipanema), from R. Déa Coufal south to the Arcos do Calçadão de Ipanema. It’s a wide path alongside Av. Guaíba, with some lovely trees and open water views. There are four outdoor gyms along the way! It’s possible to extend for another ~1 km, using the sidewalk and then paths in Praça Zeno Simon (park) to R. Jacipuia. NOTE: the beach itself is fine for sunbathing…but is not great for running! 

Add-Ons: Trail runners looking for a challenge should tackle the Parque Natural Municipal Morro do Osso, just north of the Calçadão. It offers rugged trails with significant elevation gain, providing a panoramic view of the city and the lake from the top.