Located inland on New Zealand’s North Island, Hamilton is the country’s fourth-largest city. It’s located on the Waikado River, and features hilly terrain just outside the central city. It’s also a major university town. There are some wonderful options for running in Hamilton, including extensive paths along the Waikado River, numerous parks & gardens, and trail running in the hills nearby. The city is quite compact, so several of our favorite running routes are centrally located and can be mix & matched.
The best place to run in Hamilton is to choose a section of the 25 km of River Walk trails along the west bank of the Waikado. There are also trails on the east bank. The loop around Hamilton Lake is also popular. Hamilton Gardens is a major visitor destination, and also a nice place to run, with good add-on options nearby. Another favorite run is Taitua Arboretum, which we combine with Till’s Lookout for some hills and great views. In eastern Hamilton, we’ve mapped a route combining Claudelands Park, Parana Park, & River Walk paths. The campus of the University of Waikato is also pleasant for running. Trail runners & those who like hills should head to Hakarimata Reserve.
