We highly recommend heading to the campus of the University of West Florida for a path or trail run. The university is located 10 miles north of downtown Pensacola, and while the main campus is pretty, the main attraction is the extensive series of shaded trails for running! There are actually four ‘categories’ of trails, each well-marked and with excellent maps. For variety or a longer run, the adjacent neighborhood, just west of campus is very nice for running as well (see post).
Campus Tour. Create your own route around the main campus, or use the University’s three different marked walking trails, which range in length from 1.2 to 2.1 miles.
Cross-Country Trails. 4 miles of trails winding through the Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary’s sandhill, hammock and wetlands habitat. There are mile markers. Start: Multi-Purpose fields near Martin Hall.
Ball Nature Trail
West Campus Mountain Bike Trails. More than 600 acres of wooded trails of various levels of challenge. Popular for mountain biking and trail running. Well-marked loops of various lengths, up to 10 miles! Some good hills and different levels of challenge. The trails are located north of Greenbrier Blvd., just west of Campus Dr.
Nature Trail. Make sure to include the 1/2 mile wooden boardwalk through Thompson’s Bayou over a hardwood swamp on your campus run. Located behind Cosby Hall.
We highly recommend heading to the campus of the University of West Florida for a path or trail run. The university is located 10 miles north of downtown Pensacola, and while the main campus is pretty, the main attraction is the extensive series of shaded trails for running! There are actually four ‘categories’ of trails, each well-marked and with excellent maps. For variety or a longer run, the adjacent neighborhood, just west of campus is very nice for running as well (see post).
Campus Tour. Create your own route around the main campus, or use the University’s three different marked walking trails, which range in length from 1.2 to 2.1 miles.
Cross-Country Trails. 4 miles of trails winding through the Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary’s sandhill, hammock and wetlands habitat. There are mile markers. Start: Multi-Purpose fields near Martin Hall.
Ball Nature Trail
West Campus Mountain Bike Trails. More than 600 acres of wooded trails of various levels of challenge. Popular for mountain biking and trail running. Well-marked loops of various lengths, up to 10 miles! Some good hills and different levels of challenge. The trails are located north of Greenbrier Blvd., just west of Campus Dr.
Nature Trail. Make sure to include the 1/2 mile wooden boardwalk through Thompson’s Bayou over a hardwood swamp on your campus run. Located behind Cosby Hall.
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Essentials
See maps of the cross country trails, mountain bike trails, and campus tour trails
Some hilly terrain -- especially for Florida!
Cross Country Trails: Multi-Purpose Field; West Campus Trails: Near Football Stadium
Univerity is located 10 miles north of downtown Pensacola. Plenty of parking -- see campus map.
An attractive run featuring the highlights of Pensacola's downtown, waterfront and Seville historic district. The long option extends to Greenshores and the Fishing Bridge.
A loop around the Bayou Texar is a good opportunity for a long run in Pensacola. The 10-mile loop around the strait includes the walking trails of Bayview Park, waterfront roads, and shady residential neighborhoods.
Two good running options here: A 5+ mile route featuring the Boardwalk, two piers, and a paved multi-use trail. For beach running, the wide, white sand beach goes for many miles in each direction. Sand tends to be soft.
Nice running opportunities at Gulf Islands National Seashore: 7.5 miles of hiking trails around Fort Pickens; along the road or beach at Navarre Beach/Opal Beach; and several miles of trails in the Naval Live Oak Area.
An attractive waterfront run in the Navy Point neighborhood, located about 5 miles east of downtown. A multi-use path winds its way along the waterfront, for a 4.5 mile out and back. Add on with pleasant residential streets.
The Scenic Hills & Fox Run neighborhoods just west of the University of West Florida campus are terrific for some quiet, bucolic road running. Long, winding, tree-shaded roads with fairly light traffic.
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Essentials
See maps of the cross country trails, mountain bike trails, and campus tour trails
Some hilly terrain -- especially for Florida!
Cross Country Trails: Multi-Purpose Field; West Campus Trails: Near Football Stadium
Univerity is located 10 miles north of downtown Pensacola. Plenty of parking -- see campus map.
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
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!