Asia Pacific

Kolkata, India

A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Places to Run in Kolkata

The city of Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and the country’s third largest metro area. Located on the banks of the Hooghly River, Kolkata is a major business, commercial, and financial hub of Eastern India.  Kolkata is known as “the Cultural Capital of India,” and is famous for its street food and diverse architecture, with many impressive colonial-era buildings. Like many cities in India, running in Kolkata presents a challenge due to the city’s density, infrastructure, and climate. The best bet for running in Kolkata is to head to some of the specific spots appropriate for running, which include some larger parks, upscale neighborhoods, and a couple of lakes.

Some of the best places to run in Kolkata include the Hooghly riverfront at Maidan Park, the waterside paths of Rabindra Sarobar Lake, the decorative gardens of New Town Eco Park, and the pristine trails of the Kolkata Botanical Gardens. The Alipore neighborhood, near Maidan Park, has leafy roads and impressive buildings. The Salt Lake neighborhood is also god for running, with waterfront roads and paths around the East Kolkata Wetlands.

Because Kolkata is a large and widespread city, public transport is essential for getting around. The standardized taxi service is popular, but visitors can also use the local metro system or city bus. If you’re extra budget-conscious, shared auto-rickshaws are a good option. Runners should also factor in Kolkata’s heat and air quality.

Editor's Picks

Some of our favorite runs in Kolkata, India

See All Routes
  • All Routes
  • Iconic Routes
  • Weather & Climate
  • Where To Stay
  • Stores & Group Runs
  • Events

Kolkata’s climate is a factor for runners. Temperatures range from hot to brutally hot, year-round. April through September are particularly oppressive, with high temperatures in the 32-36C (92-96F) range, with sultry nights. A couple of months are a bit cooler and drier, with less humidity and early mornings that are downright refreshing for a run. Note that most of Kolkata’s 1800mm of annual rainfall occurs during the three monsoonal months.

Kolkata’s hotels are widespread across the city. Most visitors choose to stay in and around the Maidan area, which provides access to 3-4 good running routes in our guide.

Running stores in Kolkata mostly consist of chains like Reebok, City Sports, Nike, Adidas, and Decathalon.

There are plenty of running groups, though. Depending on the area you’re located, you can check out:

Kolkata Runners Club

North Kolkata Runners

Salt Lake Runners 

Kolkata Ultra

Kolkata hosts many running races throughout the year. The best resource for finding upcoming races is IndiaRunning.com.