There’s just something about having the sun on your face and fresh air in your lungs when you’re out running. Perhaps one of the best reasons to become a runner in the first place is having the excuse to get outside more often. In fact, new research backs up what most runners already know: Spending time exercising in nature is not only good for your body but also your mind.
To inspire you this Earth Day, we’ve rounded up some of the most beautiful runs around the world. From snow-covered peaks to tropical islands and exotic forest paths, having the chance to explore the great outdoors on foot may be the best part of being a runner.
1. Torres del Paine National Park | Chilean Patagonia
Situated in the extreme south of Chile’s Patagonia region, Torres del Paine has it all — massive glaciers, granite mountains and crystal-clear lakes and rivers. Adding to its exotic appeal, a wide variety of wildlife populate the park, including foxes, pumas, eagles and condors. If you’re looking for competition, book your trip for September to run the Patagonian International Marathon or for October for the Ultra Trail Torres del Paine event, which features 50K, 25K and vertical kilometer races.
2. Grand Canyon | Arizona
The Grand Canyon deserves a top spot on any runner’s travel bucket list. Harriers looking for a real adventure should consider tackling the nearly 50-mile Rim to Rim to Rim challenge, which typically involves running from the South Rim to the North Rim and back to the South Rim of the canyon in a day’s time. No matter how many miles you plan on logging, keep in mind the terrain is rugged and can involve thousands of feet of climbing. The scenery is well-worth the work, offering expansive views of the canyon, trails lined with imposing rock formations and many other geologic wonders.
3. Great Barrier Reef | Port Douglas, Australia
There’s a reason the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival has been dubbed the “world’s best adventure course.” Whether you choose to travel down under for the event in November or go another time of year, this area is a treasure trove of natural beauty. In fact, it is the only place on the globe that offers access to two World Heritage sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The latter touts the largest continuous tropical forest in all of Australia. Its incredible natural diversity will wow any runner who goes exploring on foot.
4. El Yunque National Forest | Puerto Rico
While images of white, sandy beaches and blue waters often come to mind when we think of Puerto Rico, the El Yunque National Forest is a little different, but it’s a park that any runner will appreciate. In particular, the La Mina Trail within the park is worth a run. While it is only a couple miles round trip, it requires a significant amount of climbing. You’ll hardly notice the most arduous portions of the trail, however, thanks to the lush, tropical foliage and flowers, crashing waterfalls and a meandering river that you will pass over via a series of small bridges.
5. Mont Blanc | Chamonix, France
In terms of both difficulty and beauty, it’s hard to beat circumnavigating the highest mountain in the Alps, which is situated between Italy and France. Thanks to the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc ultramarathon, the area has become famous among ultrarunners. The 104-mile trail race, which involves over 66,000 feet of elevation gain and loss, has developed a reputation for being one of the toughest running events in all of Europe and beyond. Even still, the snow-covered peaks, breathtaking vistas and magnificent ancient rock formations make for unmatched scenery every step of the way.
