Head across the water to Niterói for some terrific beachfront running, interesting buildings in Centro, and great views! If driving from Rio, it’s about 1/2 hr. over the Ponte Pres. Costa e Silva (bridge), but the better way is to take the 20-minute ferry from Praça XV. The waterfront paths are divided into two sections.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Niterói. Donatas Dabravolskas
Section 1: Praia de Gragoata to Praia de Icaraí. Start just north of the Contemporary Art Museum, and follow the path along the water. It’s part dedicated waterfront path and part sidewalk. There are great views of the water, beach, contemporary buildings, and Rio across the way. Continue along to the end of Praia de Icaraí, itself a 1.5 km runnable beach. It’s 4.2 km one-way, so this is a nice ~5 miler out and back!
The Estrada Leopoldo Fróes continues south for 2 km to Praia de São Francisco, connecting the two sections. It’s interior and a bit hilly. Runnable, but fairly narrow shoulder/sidewalk.
Section 2: Praia de São Francisco toPraia de Charitas/da Areia Grossa. Another nice beachfront run. It’s mainly on a sidewalk passing three beaches , with good views of the water and beach. It’s ~3 km one-way. Praia de São Francisco can be runnable near the water.
Head across the water to Niterói for some terrific beachfront running, interesting buildings in Centro, and great views! If driving from Rio, it’s about 1/2 hr. over the Ponte Pres. Costa e Silva (bridge), but the better way is to take the 20-minute ferry from Praça XV. The waterfront paths are divided into two sections.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Niterói. Donatas Dabravolskas
Section 1: Praia de Gragoata to Praia de Icaraí. Start just north of the Contemporary Art Museum, and follow the path along the water. It’s part dedicated waterfront path and part sidewalk. There are great views of the water, beach, contemporary buildings, and Rio across the way. Continue along to the end of Praia de Icaraí, itself a 1.5 km runnable beach. It’s 4.2 km one-way, so this is a nice ~5 miler out and back!
The Estrada Leopoldo Fróes continues south for 2 km to Praia de São Francisco, connecting the two sections. It’s interior and a bit hilly. Runnable, but fairly narrow shoulder/sidewalk.
Section 2: Praia de São Francisco toPraia de Charitas/da Areia Grossa. Another nice beachfront run. It’s mainly on a sidewalk passing three beaches , with good views of the water and beach. It’s ~3 km one-way. Praia de São Francisco can be runnable near the water.
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Essentials
Praia de Gragoata to Praia de Icaraí: 4.2 km one-way; Praia de São Francisco to Praia de Charitas: 3 km one-way
Fairly flat
Just north of the Contemporary Art Museum
Ferry runs between Praça XV in Rio and Praça Arariboia. Takes 20 minutes, leaves every 20 minutes
Rio has some of the most spectacular beach running of any city, with some 30 km of beachfront paths. There are four distinct sections: Flamengo, Copacabana to Leme, Ipanema to Leblon, and Barra.
One of the world's iconic urban beach runs. It's up to 8.5 km one-way along the paved promenade, calçadão, combining both beaches. Great views and a festive scene. Beaches also runnable. Good add-on options.
A terrific 'runseeing' tour of Rio's central parks and sites: Marina, the waterfront Parque Brig. Eduardo Gomes, Praça Paris, Praça da República, numerous museums & historic buildings, and a loop around the spectacular Museu do Amanhã.
This varied and hilly art and architecture tour includes some of Rio’s most interesting sites and neighborhoods. Historic buildings, the Santa Teresa neighborhood, and the harbor.
This 7.4 km path around the lagoon features views of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, several closer hills, and the nearby National Park of Tijuca. Can combine with Ipanema Beach.
A Rio running highlight is the walking trail skirting the base of Sugarloaf Mountain, with incredible water & mountain views. 2 km flat, & optional 300m climb over 0.6 km. Can combine w/Urca neighborhood run.
A scenic running spot in the Barra area and a great shade option. This nature preserve offers 5 km of easy, flat paths for running, underneath a lush canopy.
Built in 2016 to better connect the Olympics venues, this elevated, paved cycle path runs alongside the coastal expressway for 5 km between Praia de São Conrado and the Barra Pier. Nice coastal views, though along a busy road.
Maracana Stadium is an iconic Rio soccer stadium, which was also used for the 2016 Olympics ceremonies. There's a 1.8 km paved path around the perimeter. Combine with nice running in historic, scenic Quinta da Boa Vista Park.
A 4 km loop around the Parque Olímpico, which features several facilities built for the 2016 Olympics. Combine with Parque Linear Cidade Jardim across the way for a longer run.
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Essentials
Praia de Gragoata to Praia de Icaraí: 4.2 km one-way; Praia de São Francisco to Praia de Charitas: 3 km one-way
Fairly flat
Just north of the Contemporary Art Museum
Ferry runs between Praça XV in Rio and Praça Arariboia. Takes 20 minutes, leaves every 20 minutes
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!