Delhi is a large metropolitan area in the north part of India that serves as the country’s national capital region. New Delhi, an urban district of Delhi, is the cosmopolitan center and heart of industry, government, and culture. It’s famous for its bustling markets, street food, and beautiful temples. Running in New Delhi has become increasingly popular in recent years, although heavy traffic, dense roads, and poor air quality limit running options to a select few green spaces that are designated leisure areas. The heat is also a factor, with daily temperatures from 90-104F (32-40C) for seven months of the year.
Our guide to the best places to run in Delhi is focused on New Delhi, Old Delhi, and a few of the surrounding areas such as Gurgaon (Gurugram) and Noida. Most runners in Delhi travel to parks with designated jogging paths, like Nehru Park, Noida Stadium, Leisure Valley Park, and the Hauz Khas area to run laps. The paths along the Rajpath road to India Gate are a spectacular way to get in some sightseeing while the Lodhi Gardens and the murals of the Lodhi Art Colony are a one-of-a-kind running experience. Our ‘runseeing’ tour is an exciting 15k route from Old Delhi to New Delhi. For longer runs, the dirt roads of Jahanpanah City Forest and the long paved Gurgaon-Faridabad Road are the best bets, but the trails of Malcha Mahal, Aravali Biodiversity Park, Swarn Jayana Park, and Sanjay Van remain favorites for nature lovers.
Wherever you plan to run in New Delhi, there will be plenty of options for getting around. The Delhi Metro is the most comfortable, affordable, (and often the most convenient) option, but buses, rickshaws, and cabs can all be helpful for shorter distances. Please be aware of the high traffic volume and density.
