Author Photo

One of our favorite places to run in Wilmington is around the bucolic campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Part of the UNC system, the campus of 17,000 students has attractive buildings, foliage, and numerous pedestrian paths. A section of Wilmington’s Cross City Trail runs through the campus and provides links to other locations. We’ve mapped two routes, which can be mixed and matched!

Campus Run. 5.3 miles. Starting at the Clock Tower, the must-do run in campus is 0.6 mile Chancellor’s Walk. Do a there and back, then make your way south on Hamilton Dr. toward the recreational complex, which features numerous athletic fields and a great running track. Then, enjoy 2.5 miles along the Cross City Trail, a paved multi-use path that runs alongside Riegel Road and then around the eastern perimeter of campus (Bonus: Lit at night!).

Cross City Trail & Long Leaf Park. 7.3 miles. Starting with wooded, gravel paths off Parking Lot 1/Randall Dr., then join the Cross City Trail on the eastern edge of campus and run for 2.5 miles through campus to the athletic fields. Then, take MacMillan Ave. south for 0.5 miles to Long Leaf Park. This pretty park has a 1.5 mile multi-use path around its perimeter. Retrace your steps to campus use Hamilton Dr. as an anchor to return to the start.