After nearly 30 years of running I have logged miles in a lot of different places — neighborhood streets, state parks, canal trails, recreation paths, and a few rural roads I wish I had scouted better before I headed out.
Finding great running routes is part skill, part research, and part knowing what matters to you personally. Here is exactly how I find my best summer running routes and what I look for before I lace up somewhere new.
Start With the Right Apps
AllTrails is my go-to for finding trails and outdoor routes. The app has an enormous database of trails across the country with detailed information about distance, elevation, surface type, and difficulty. User reviews and photos give you a real sense of what to expect before you arrive. I use it specifically for trail running and state park routes — it is how I discovered just how extensive the trail system at Green Lakes State Park really is. Free to use with a paid option for more detailed features.
Strava Strava is where serious runners live and one of its most useful features for route finding is the heatmap — a visual map that shows where other runners in your area are logging miles. The more activity on a route the brighter it appears on the map. If a route is heavily used by other runners that is a good signal that it is safe, accessible, and worth exploring. Strava also lets you browse routes that other runners have created and shared which is a great way to discover new options in unfamiliar areas.
But Strava is more than just a route finding tool — it is genuinely fun to use. Today it told me I am a Local Legend on one of my regular routes because I have run it more times than anyone else in the last 90 days. That is exactly the kind of small recognition that makes consistent running feel rewarding. And the Flyover feature — which creates a beautiful animated aerial video of your run after you finish — is one of those things that makes you want to share every run. It turns a regular training run into something that looks cinematic. If you are not on Strava yet it is worth downloading just for that feature alone.
Google Maps Do not overlook Google Maps for basic route scouting. Street view lets you preview a road or path before you run it which is invaluable for checking shoulder width on rural roads, looking for sidewalks, and getting a general sense of the area. I use it regularly before heading somewhere new.
My Favorite Types of Running Routes
State Parks State parks are my favorite running destination for several reasons. The trails are maintained and well marked. The scenery is almost always beautiful. And dogs are required to be on leashes which matters enormously to me as someone who has been bitten by a dog on a run. Green Lakes State Park near Syracuse is my local favorite — two stunning glacial lakes, over 20 miles of trails, and access to the Erie Canal trail corridor that runs over 350 miles across New York State. If you have a state park nearby it is worth exploring as a running destination.
Recreation Trails and Canal Paths Dedicated recreation trails — converted rail trails, canal paths, river walks — are ideal for running. They are typically paved or packed gravel, flat or gently rolling, and completely separated from vehicle traffic. The Erie Canal trail in upstate New York is a perfect example — a beautifully maintained multi use trail that runs through small towns, farmland, and nature with regular access points and facilities along the way. Search your area for rail trails and greenways — most regions have more of these than runners realize.
Neighborhood Sidewalks For everyday training runs my neighborhood sidewalks are reliable and convenient. I know every crack, every dog owner, and every stretch of road. Familiar routes have real value — you can focus on your run instead of navigation and you know exactly what to expect. There is nothing wrong with running the same neighborhood loop consistently. Consistency beats novelty every time.
Safety First — What I Check Before Running Somewhere New
After nearly 30 years of running I have learned to do my homework before heading somewhere unfamiliar. Here is my personal safety checklist:
Check for sidewalks or recreation trails. If I am planning to run in an unfamiliar area I will only give it a try if there are sidewalks or a dedicated recreation trail of some sort. Running on a road without any separation from traffic is a risk I do not take unnecessarily — especially in an area I do not know well.
Scout rural road shoulders. Rural roads can be beautiful but they often have very small shoulders — or no shoulder at all. Before running a rural road I check it on Google Maps Street View to assess the shoulder width and traffic level. A narrow road with fast moving traffic and no shoulder is not a safe running route regardless of how scenic it looks.
Research the dog situation. I have been bitten by a dog on a run and had several other serious incidents with aggressive dogs over the years. I am very mindful of areas where loose dogs might be a concern. State parks and recreation trails where leash laws are enforced give me confidence. Rural areas with unfenced properties require more caution. I always carry my POM Runner Model pepper spray on every outdoor run without exception.
Run familiar routes alone, explore new ones carefully. When I am trying a completely new route for the first time I prefer to do it during daylight hours when other people are around. There is safety in numbers and daylight makes everything easier to assess.
Tips for Finding Great Summer Running Routes
Look for shade. Summer heat is real and a shaded trail or tree lined path makes a significant difference in how comfortable your run feels. State park trails and canal paths often have natural shade that open roads do not.
Find routes with water access. For longer summer runs knowing where you can get water — a water fountain, a store, a spot to stash a bottle — matters more than in cooler months. Plan your routes around water access points.
Run near water. Lakes, rivers, and canals are naturally cooler than open pavement and the scenery makes every mile more enjoyable. Green Lakes State Park is a perfect example — running near water on a hot day is a genuinely different and more pleasant experience.
Use the early morning hours. The best summer running routes are the ones you run before the heat of the day builds. A beautiful route at 6am is always better than the same route at noon. Plan your routes with early morning access in mind.
The Bottom Line
A great running route is one that is safe, accessible, and makes you want to come back. It does not have to be exotic or impressive — it just has to work for you consistently.
Start close to home, explore outward gradually, and always do your homework before heading somewhere new. Nearly 30 years of running has taught me that the best routes are often hiding in plain sight — in the state park you have driven past a hundred times, along the canal trail you never knew existed, or in the neighborhood sidewalks you have been overlooking all along.
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