For a trail running adventure, Kirthar National Park offers a uniquely scenic and rugged experience. The park is located 70 km north of Karachi and is known for its desert landscape, rocky hills, and twisted, stony valleys, and abundant wildlife. One of the prime sights is RaniKot Fort, a historic fortress featuring an extensive defensive wall more than 30 km long, known as the ‘Great Wall of Sindh’. A 4x4vehicle is needed to get around the park. There are hundreds of of km of rugged dirt roads in the park, and some designated hiking trails of varying difficulty.
Many people visiting this park do so with a guide. Most of the roads are not marked, the terrain is very exposed, and caution with regard to the wildlife must be exercised. The vastness of the park and the lack of good online maps make it impossible to recommend specific routes. We recommend going with a guide and obtaining recommendations for a good trail running spot based on your ability and distance desired. One good area for running is around the RaniKot Fort, which has trails and a decent road leading to it. Note: the terrain is rocky, so footing on the hiking trails could be challenging.
Wikimedia Commons: Shah Murad Aliani
For a trail running adventure, Kirthar National Park offers a uniquely scenic and rugged experience. The park is located 70 km north of Karachi and is known for its desert landscape, rocky hills, and twisted, stony valleys, and abundant wildlife. One of the prime sights is RaniKot Fort, a historic fortress featuring an extensive defensive wall more than 30 km long, known as the ‘Great Wall of Sindh’. A 4x4vehicle is needed to get around the park. There are hundreds of of km of rugged dirt roads in the park, and some designated hiking trails of varying difficulty.
Many people visiting this park do so with a guide. Most of the roads are not marked, the terrain is very exposed, and caution with regard to the wildlife must be exercised. The vastness of the park and the lack of good online maps make it impossible to recommend specific routes. We recommend going with a guide and obtaining recommendations for a good trail running spot based on your ability and distance desired. One good area for running is around the RaniKot Fort, which has trails and a decent road leading to it. Note: the terrain is rocky, so footing on the hiking trails could be challenging.
Essentials
Hundreds of km of roads and some designated hiking trails.
70 km north of Karachi. 4x4 vehicle reaquired. We recommend going with a guide
Terrific beachside running in Karachi. About 5 km of promenade paths, including Beach View Park. Clifton Beach itself is 6 km long, and runnable. At the northern end of the beach, the Oyster Rocks Pier is also a scenic spot. Good add-ons in area.
The highlight of running in the Marina Club area is the new Major Khalid Shaheed Park/Creek Park, which is 1 km long and has nice paths facing the water. For a longer run, continue to Do Darya -- a mix of not so pleasant streets and a nicer coastal road.
Three notable beaches for running in the southern part of Karachi, opening to the Arabian Sea. Our favorite is 6 km long Clifton Beach. We also enjoy running on Sandspit/Manora Beach and Hawke's Beach. All are wide and have fairly firm sand.
One of the best off-road runs in Karachi, combining two parks in the Clifton Beach area. Run the 2 km path through Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park along the Boat Basin, and then enjoy a 2.5 km loop around the lush grounds of Ibn-e-Qasim Park.
A 7 km tour of a historic section of Karachi, featuring many impressive 1800s-era buildings and grounds, including Frere Hall, the National Museum of Pakistan, Supreme Court, Bagh-e-Jinnah Park, and several Sindh government edifices.
One of the larger parks in Karachi and a good spot to run some hills in this generally flat city. Located in the Block 6 area, Hill Park has numerous paths for walking/running, nice landscaping, and a pond. Kidney Hill a good trail-running add-on nearby.
The area around the National Stadium offers a decent opportunity for some off-road running. There are some paths, several fields in the adjacent National Coaching Center, and a running track.
Aziz Bhatti Park, Safari Park, and Karachi University are three areas in relative proximity that are good spots for standalone run or can be combined for a longer run. Use University Rd. to connect Aziz Bhatti Park and Safari Park.
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Essentials
Hundreds of km of roads and some designated hiking trails.
70 km north of Karachi. 4x4 vehicle reaquired. We recommend going with a guide
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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!