Jacksonville is the most populous city in Florida. It seems that runners make up the lion’s share of the population because they can be found almost everywhere. This is not surprising since the city offers many tracks with different surfaces, difficulties, and landscapes.
In this article, we will talk about the great runs Jacksonville, Florida, boasts.
1. Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail
This former 14.5-mile railroad is now completely paved and converted into a flat, smooth trail for joggers. On this Florida trail run, you’ll find flora and fauna in all its glory.
If you choose this Jax route to run in the summer, sticking to its western end is best, as it is better shaded by the surrounding oaks and pines. In addition, the coniferous aroma throughout the route will allow you to breathe more easily and pleasantly while running.
Why is it great?
- You will encounter only three roads throughout the journey, so traffic jams and lights will not interfere with your training.
- There are mile markers along the way. So it will be easy for you to keep track of the distance you have run.
- The trail has about 8.5 miles of offshoots, allowing you to deviate from the main route if you wish.
2. Hanna State Park
If you google “places to run near me for hill running,” Hanna State Park is a very workout-friendly option. In addition to 6 miles of running tracks, the park offers over 10 miles of off-road trails with steep hills and varied surfaces, including sand and dirt.
Why is it great?
- Regardless of the difficulty level of the trail, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the oak and palm forests.
- Dogs are allowed in this park, and, in some areas, they can even be off-leash. So you can easily take your pet for a run.
- Special markings on the trees easily distinguish cycling and hiking/running routes.
- After your run, you can swim in the surf, which is a nice bonus on hot days.
3. Downtown Riverwalk
Downtown Riverwalk is one of the most popular local running trails. It includes North Bank (approximately 2 miles) and South Bank (approximately 1 mile), which are interconnected by Main St. Bridge and Acosta Bridge. Thus, you can create a 5-mile out-and-back loop if you span both sides of the embankment via the bridges.
Why is it great?
- Thanks to the many additional tracks, you can easily adjust your route depending on the desired distance. For example, you can extend the above route with a loop to the Baseball Grounds & Everbank Field complex and get 7.7 miles.
- John Gorrie Dog Park in Riverside Park is located on the route. If you run with your dog, you can visit it to give your pet more space to play and exercise.
- North Bank passes through the city’s historical center, which means you will be lucky enough to see many sights on your way.
4. Theodore Roosevelt Area
Theodore Roosevelt Area is located in the Timucuan Preserve, about 13 miles from the city center. This preserve allows you to touch Florida’s wildlife while running a 6-mile loop, nestled in a jungle of centuries-old and majestic oaks, palms, and pines.
Why is it great?
- It is considered one of the toughest Jacksonville runs, with steep hills, the highest elevations in the city, and exposed oak and pine roots. So if you are an experienced runner, you will enjoy incredible views and the opportunity to challenge yourself.
- Despite the abundance of wildlife, the trail still keeps up with civilization – there are two main parking lots (next to Timucuan Preserve Headquarters and on Ft. Caroline Road).
- Going down the hilly route to the swamps, you have every chance to see manatees in the spring. Isn’t it nice?
5. S-Line Urban Greenway
This 3.1-mile or about 5k Jacksonville trail passes through the Springfield historic district known for its many Victorian houses. Like the Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail, this is an example of an old railroad successfully converted into a wide paved track for joggers.
Why is it great?
- The flat and paved surface makes this track suitable for all runners, regardless of skill or fitness level.
- On the way, you will find information signs telling about the history of this area, which means that your run will be useful for the body and mind.
- After your workout, you can grab a bite at one of the many nearby eateries.
6. Guana River State Park
Guana River State Park is about 30 miles from downtown Jacksonville, halfway to St. Augustine. But this mini trip is definitely worth it. The park offers over 9 miles of trails with incredible views of the pristine maritime forest and coastal waterways.
It is important to note that if you run in the park during the hunting season, you should wear bright orange clothes to protect yourself.
Why is it great?
- You can easily plan your route as the trail map indicates the distance of each trail, and the trails themselves are color coded for your convenience.
- The various tracks make the park a suitable place to train for races of varying distances. So, for example, the Live Oak Loop is only 1.6 miles long, while Hammock Loop is 5.1 miles long.
- This peaceful and picturesque location is perfect for escaping the bustle of the city.
7. Durbin Creek Peninsula Preserve Trail
This 2,031-acre nature reserve is located on a peninsula in South Jacksonville. The total length of the trails is 10 miles. Runners can choose the surface depending on the desired difficulty level, from lowland forests to sandy hills.
If you love wildlife, you might get lucky and see deer, lynx, turkeys, or manatees.
Why is it great?
- You can change your mileage. For example, the White Blaze Loop is 3.9-mile long, but if you add the Yellow Blaze Loop to your run, you will cover 6.1 miles.
- The trees are marked with colored spray paint, so you won’t get lost in the thick foliage while training. That may be why the locals consider Durbin Creek Peninsula Preserve Trail one of the best off-road tracks.
- There are places for a picnic here, which means you can follow your jog with excellent leisure time in nature.
8. Castaway Island Preserve
The 235-acre Castaway Island Preserve may be one of the best running paths if you want a small and cozy park. It offers stunning views of the marshland and Intracoastal Waterway and 10 viewing platforms to enjoy these views.
Distance runs can range from 0.45 to 0.8 miles, which is great for beginner runners, recovering athletes, or those doing a short run for their training plan.
Why is it great?
- The local paths are covered with asphalt, cement, and wooden decks, making the route easy for runners of all levels.
- Visitors are offered ample parking, toilets, and even picnic tables.
- Running is one of many kinds of active leisure here. You can also go down in kayaks or canoes to explore the beauties of nature.
9. Baymeadow Loop
This 5.3-mile route is popular for skirting the San Jose CC Golf Course. Due to this, you get a flat and comfortable surface for training and a well-groomed area with picturesque lush foliage.
Why is it great?
- Baymeadows Road offers a variety of paths nearby. For example, the Canal 5 1/2 lake loop will take you through Tomahawk Park to Skinner Park, where you can expand your training to 7 miles. On the Loop the Loop 5-mile course, you’ll run along Beauclerc Road and Forest Circle.
- Thanks to the foliage of the trees, the route is quite shady, which is great on hot summer days.
- The track starts next to 1st Place Sports, so you can buy the necessary running gear while you’re there.
10. Jacksonville’s Beaches
The main charm of Jacksonville’s beaches is that they are conveniently located next to each other, forming an almost 11-mile path. If desired, you can cover Atlantic, Neptune, and Jacksonville beaches in one workout.
As a bonus, Hanna Park is located in the northern part of this route, so if you decide to give it your all, you will have somewhere to accelerate.
Why is it great?
- The sand is usually hard near the water due to low tides (especially on the 4 miles connecting Neptune and Atlantic beaches). This means you can enjoy running near the water without extra stress.
- These beaches are not crowded, so the chances of tripping over a sunbathing person are small.
- There are plenty of parking spots along the route. Therefore, if you do not live within walking distance, you can safely get there by car and have a safe place to leave it.
As you can see, even the pickiest runner can find a track to their liking in Jacksonville. If our list seems incomplete (which is possible given the abundance of local running routes), please tell us about your favorite place to run in the comments.
