Richmond has a particularly high number of nice neighborhoods for running. Quiet, tree-lined streets with grand, historic homes. A few favorites:
Museum District – Author Photo
Museum District and Fan District. A great neighborhood to explore via running. Pleasant residential streets and also some fun, hip commercial spots as well. At the east end, include a jaunt through the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) campus and into Monroe Park. In the north end of the neighborhood is Monument St., which has a 1-mile section passing by numerous important monuments, anchored by the Robert E Lee Memorial.
Near West End. Just west of the Museum District, nice running in the ‘Near West End’ neighborhood (West of I-195). Running groups like to meet up in the Carytown neighborhood in the Museum District and set out on the long brick sidewalks heading west on Cary Street. From here, some of the best streets to connect with are Grove Ave. and Malvern Ave. — both feature lots of nice homes along long, straight sidewalks. Starting from Carytown, we’ve mapped a ~6 mile loop of Cary Street, Grove Ave, and Malvern. ROUTE MAP
West of the Museum District: Explore Windsor Farms (just west of I-195 and south of Cary), which is designed to look like a traditional English village, and features winding streets lined with Colonial Revival homes. Just north of Cary, the streets off Grove Ave., known as Near West End, are very pleasant for running. They get windier and grander around the Country Club and the University of Richmond campus. Put in extra miles on the gorgeous campus.
Riverside Drive Neighborhood. Some hilly, attractive residential streets come off Riverside Dr. See our route there.
Maymont/Byrd Park Area. Some very pretty streets adjacent to these parks, can be run standalone or in combination with our route there.
Richmond has a particularly high number of nice neighborhoods for running. Quiet, tree-lined streets with grand, historic homes. A few favorites:
Museum District – Author Photo
Museum District and Fan District. A great neighborhood to explore via running. Pleasant residential streets and also some fun, hip commercial spots as well. At the east end, include a jaunt through the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) campus and into Monroe Park. In the north end of the neighborhood is Monument St., which has a 1-mile section passing by numerous important monuments, anchored by the Robert E Lee Memorial.
Near West End. Just west of the Museum District, nice running in the ‘Near West End’ neighborhood (West of I-195). Running groups like to meet up in the Carytown neighborhood in the Museum District and set out on the long brick sidewalks heading west on Cary Street. From here, some of the best streets to connect with are Grove Ave. and Malvern Ave. — both feature lots of nice homes along long, straight sidewalks. Starting from Carytown, we’ve mapped a ~6 mile loop of Cary Street, Grove Ave, and Malvern. ROUTE MAP
West of the Museum District: Explore Windsor Farms (just west of I-195 and south of Cary), which is designed to look like a traditional English village, and features winding streets lined with Colonial Revival homes. Just north of Cary, the streets off Grove Ave., known as Near West End, are very pleasant for running. They get windier and grander around the Country Club and the University of Richmond campus. Put in extra miles on the gorgeous campus.
Riverside Drive Neighborhood. Some hilly, attractive residential streets come off Riverside Dr. See our route there.
Maymont/Byrd Park Area. Some very pretty streets adjacent to these parks, can be run standalone or in combination with our route there.
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Essentials
Carytown Route: 5.8 miles (9.3 km)
Carytown Route: 269 feet. Note the Riverside neighborhood is especially hilly
The most popular running spot in Richmond, with waterside trails and multiple pedestrian bridges. Well-groomed 2-10 mile options along the Buttermilk and North Bank trails, Forest Hill Park, and Pony Pasture. Trails are mainly wooded, gravel surface.
Pleasant ~1.25 mile (one way) path along the Richmond Canal system with murals, history lessons, and tips on things to do. Run out to the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge for views — especially great at sunrise or sunset.
An attractive road for running on the south side of the James River, with views to the river and historic bridges, and attractive residential roads coming off it. It rides above the James River trail system, providing numerous access points to those trails as well.
50 plus miles of running on a paved multi-use path stretching all the way to Williamsburg/Jamestown. The Richmond end of the path is accessible from I-95 near Great Shiplock Park.
Fun sidewalked street run with monuments commemorating historic Richmond figures. An out and back through the Historic District is about 5 km, but it’s possible to continue further on the sidewalk.
Run the grounds of this gorgeous Victorian estate with mansion, Japanese botanical gardens, and a ~3 mile paved perimeter path with some challenging hills. Options to connect with Byrd Park or the North Bank Trail.
The 1 mile packed gravel VITA course at Byrd Park is a favorite for time-strapped runners in need of a quick workout or people who love to do circuit-style runs (complete with strength training equipment). For a longer run, connect with Maymont Park.
Historic green space with a 3.4 mile paved path around ponds, forest, azealia gardens, and playing fields. Add-ons include dirt singletrack paths like the one along Jordan’s Branch.
Great running on this classic open air campus, with beautiful brick buildings, manicured courtyards, and the lovely Westhampton Lake at its heart. Can be combined with other paths and streets in the area.
The 64 miles of paved bike paths, double track fire roads, and dirt trails of scenic Pocahontas State Park are definitely worth the 30 minute drive from Richmond. Popular trails are the Old Mill bike path and the Beaver Lake loop.
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Essentials
Carytown Route: 5.8 miles (9.3 km)
Carytown Route: 269 feet. Note the Riverside neighborhood is especially hilly
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!