A jaunt around the University of Notre Dame campus is a must-do run when in South Bend. This historic and scenic private university is located just northeast of downtown. It features a large network of pedestrian paths around lush academic & residential quads, impressive buildings in the Gothic style, two lakes, and a large area of athletic facilities, including a running track.
Saint Marys Lake. Google Street View
We’ve put together a 5 mile loop hitting the campus highlights. Starting with the ~1 mile through the heart of campus between Angela Blvd. & Holy Cross Dr., using Notre Dame Ave. as an anchor. Then enjoy the ~1 mile loop around Saint Josephs Lake on a scenic cinder path, followed by a second ~1 mile lake loop around Saint Marys Lake. Following these lake loops, take the path headed east, passing the impressive Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and the Main Building with its Golden Dome and Statue of St. Mary. Continue east through Fieldhouse Mall to The Word of Life Mural, then south along the Library Lawn to the Notre Dame Stadium (home to the Fighting Irish football team), using Lesley Dr. to pass by numerous athletic fields & facilities to the running track. Add a couple of loops and then use Angela Blvd. for 0.6 miles to the start.
Add-On: Just west of campus (using Angela Blvd.), use the E-Bank Trail to connect to our route along the St. Joseph River. There’s also some nice residential neighborhood running in the area east and north of campus.
A jaunt around the University of Notre Dame campus is a must-do run when in South Bend. This historic and scenic private university is located just northeast of downtown. It features a large network of pedestrian paths around lush academic & residential quads, impressive buildings in the Gothic style, two lakes, and a large area of athletic facilities, including a running track.
Saint Marys Lake. Google Street View
We’ve put together a 5 mile loop hitting the campus highlights. Starting with the ~1 mile through the heart of campus between Angela Blvd. & Holy Cross Dr., using Notre Dame Ave. as an anchor. Then enjoy the ~1 mile loop around Saint Josephs Lake on a scenic cinder path, followed by a second ~1 mile lake loop around Saint Marys Lake. Following these lake loops, take the path headed east, passing the impressive Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and the Main Building with its Golden Dome and Statue of St. Mary. Continue east through Fieldhouse Mall to The Word of Life Mural, then south along the Library Lawn to the Notre Dame Stadium (home to the Fighting Irish football team), using Lesley Dr. to pass by numerous athletic fields & facilities to the running track. Add a couple of loops and then use Angela Blvd. for 0.6 miles to the start.
Add-On: Just west of campus (using Angela Blvd.), use the E-Bank Trail to connect to our route along the St. Joseph River. There’s also some nice residential neighborhood running in the area east and north of campus.
Up to 9 miles of paved multi-use paths along the St. Joseph River, which we've divided the route into three sections: North (Riverside Trail), Central (E-Bank/Northside Trail), South (Mishawaka RiverWalk). Numerous parks & lovely river views.
A lovely 4.4 mile loop in South Bend's downtown area, focused on paths along both banks of the St. Joseph River. There are several parks and some nice river views. A great bet if you're staying downtown! Can add w/additional riverside paths.
A good option to clock in some miles on this paved multi-use path that runs for up to 6.4 miles north to Niles, Michigan. Mainly flat, passing through residential communities.
This 3800-acre state park located 15 miles south of South Bend has something for every runner. 20+ miles of trails, ranging from an easy to more rugged, on a nice variety of terrain, including woods, fields, wetlands, & restored prairie.
Three multi-use trails in Goshen, part of the greater metro area. Our favorite for running is the Milltrace Canal Trail. Or, run for up to 12 miles on the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, or a less scenic 6 miles between Goshen & Elkhart on the MapleHeart Trail.
In Elkhart, some scenic running on trails along the Elkhart River, including several riverfront parks. We've mapped two routes which can be combined for a 10-miler! We also like running in Ox Bow County Park.
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!
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!