Great Runs in Baltimore
Baltimore, also known as Charm City, has 6,000 acres of parkland and public space. It’s a diverse and manageable city, with many types of neighborhoods, each with a unique personality. Baltimore has a strong core downtown with excellent running options centered around the waterfront, historical sites, some great residential neighborhoods, and lovely parks. There are also some great running options and beautiful neighborhoods near Johns Hopkins University, about 3 miles north of downtown and accessible by metro. Slightly further afield there are some larger parks and trails great for running.
With its mid-atlantic location, Baltimore has a warm humid temperate climate with hot summers and no dry season. Winters are chilly on the scale of D.C. or Philadelphia. Summers can be hot and very humid (hydrate on your runs), while winters can be challenging with ice and snow.
The Iconic Routes
- Waterfront-Promenade — Inner Harbor to Fort McHenry
- Waterfront — Canton area/Harbor East/Boston St.
- Fort McHenry
- Johns Hopkins/Druid Hill Park
- Roland Park neighbordood
The Routes
Waterfront Promenade
Multiple distance options MAP
Inner Harbor to Fort McHenry
3.2 miles ONE-WAY. Start MAP
Aliciana St. to Boston St. Loop
4.0 miles RT MAP
Canton to Harbor East
3.5 miles MAP
The Promenade along the Inner Harbor is the signature running option in Baltimore. Various route options incorporate the more touristed sections of the Inner Harbor, historic Fort McHenry, and the more neighborhoody sections on the nothern side of the harbor, and the more industrial sections in on off Clinton St. This area features a brick path (be careful of the occasional brick sticking out), some sections of wooden pier, cobblestones in Fells Point, and a handful of pedestrian bridges.
The signature run is from Inner Harbor to Fort McHenry and around the fort, 3.2 miles one-way. This includes Under Armour HQ, owner of MapMyRun, at the top of the harbor. On the northern side, two good options: Starting at Harbor East, Aliciana St. down to the Boston Street Running store and loop back for a 4 mile run. Boston Street is a great street to run on, as it is filled with runners as early as 5 am in any kind of weather. You can extend the run by turning south on Clinton St., which is also on the water but has a more industrial feel. Another nice detour is the Federal Hill neighborhood. Some nicer older homes and also Federal Hill Park. Great view from the top.
Alternatively, the Canton to Harbor East route covers pretty much the same ground (3.5 miles), but hugs the harbor instead of going down Boston St., for water views the whole way. If you feeling like tackling the whole harbor, it’s a 7 mile run from Canton (east) to Fort McHenry (west), one way.
Fort McHenry
3 miles RT. Start: Charm City Running Store MAP
Surrounded by water on three sides, Fort McHenry, the birthplace of the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sits at the mouth of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. From the famed Charm City Running Store, it’s about a 3 mile loop down Fort Ave. and around the fort (hilly at the fort!). Just make sure to check hours of operation to get on the grounds of the fort, as they can be limited. Alternativly use Nicholson for part of the route.
Patterson Park
Multiple distance options MAP
On the east side of the city is Patterson Park, known for being a good place for 5K’s. A perimeter run around this park is 2 miles, and within the park there are multiple trails to combine. It’s about 1.5 miles from most of the Inner Harbor hotels to Patterson Park, so it’s a doable 5–6 mile loop.
Druid Hill Park
Druid Hill Park is known for its shady lawns, picturesque water features, majestic forest, Baltimore Zoo, botanic gardens, and conservatory. And — if you’re looking for a good hill workout, this is the place to go. The park which is located about 3 miles north of downtown, but only 1 mile from Johns Hopkins University, and the Baltimore Museum of Art, where there are also some hotels. Note: some of folks we talked to at local running stores and hotels advised not running in the park alone.
Roland Park Neighborhood
5.85 miles. Hilly. Start: Western High School lot. MAP
Listed as a U.S. Historic District, the Roland Park neighborhood was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted between 1890 and 1920 as the first “planned suburban community”. This is a classic of neighborhoods built at that time: large setbacks, park-like mediums, gracious homes, and expensive infrastructure. It is difficult to come up with a specific route around the area’s windy streets — but use Roland Ave. between W. Nothern Parkway and W. Cold Spring Ln. as your boundaries. The neighborhood is also about 1 mile from Johns Hopkins University and the neighborhood hotels around there
Lake Montebello-Herring Run Park Trail
3.5 mile loop MAP
Lake Montebello and Druid Hill Park sandwich Johns Hopkins University north of downtown Baltimore. Lake Montebello has a paved path with divided lanes for walkers, runners and bikers and is just short of 1 mile around. Herring Run Park is right near by and the two can be combined for a 3.5 mile loop run. Note: some folks we talked to recommended being cautious about running alone here.
Further Afield
The BWI Trail — Airport Loop
11 miles MAP
If you’re staying near Baltimore Washington International (BWI), there’s a good paved off-road trail that totals 11 miles. Many sections are surprisingly peaceful despite the close proximity to airport runways. There are multiple sections to enjoy, most notably the young pine forest in Friendship Park (southern end of the trail) and Andover Park (north side of trail) where there’s an overlook of the runway. The BWI trail also attaches to the BNA trail, which will goes as far Annapolis — about 20 miles!
NCR Rail Trail
20 miles total MAP
This old railroad trail (Northern Central Railway) is 15 miles north of Baltimore and has a crushed limestone path that will goes all the way to Pennsylvania. Once in PA, the trail name changes to the Ma & Pa Trail. It’s a great trail to do high mileage, as it is flat and has mile markers along the way.
Oregon Ridge Trail
MAP
With over 1,000 acres total and numerous trails to run, Oregon Ridge Park, about 20 miles north of Baltimore, is a great place to explore. The trails can be a bit rocky and steep, but the dense forest coverage provides welcomed shade on your run. It is a gorgeous park and even the drive to get there is scenic.
Loch Raven Reservoir
MAP
Loch Raven is one of the most prisitine outdoor locations in the Baltimore area with wildlife and beautiful trails along the reservoir banks. This park has more technical trails that are rooty, rocky, uphill and downhill.
Stay
When staying in downtown, there are many choices of beautiful hotels with waterfront views (Four Seasons, Courtyard Baltimore and Pier 5 just to name a few). Inner Harbor East is the most upscale part of downtown with quality shops, restaurants and gorgeous views.
The best running routes are along the waterfront, starting in Harbor East and going as far west around the waterfront to Fort McHenry (7 miles total). Also accessible and near the waterfront are Patterson Park and Federal Hill for runs. And if staying in one of the numerous hotels north of the harbor, it’s an easy and quick run down to the waterfront for those great views.
3 miles north and also accessible by metro is Johns Hopkins University. There are hotels around there and also great running options.
And if your stuck (or staying at the airport), have no fear as there is an 11 mile loop around the airport with a couple of small parks to run through.
Larger Baltimore and More Detailed Haror Views
Running Stores & Groups
Downtown:
Baltimore Charm City Run
Opened in 2012, this is one of 5 Charm City Run stores located in the Baltimore area. Group runs Thursday 6:30 pm with pub after!
Group run 2nd Tuesday of the month, this 3 or 5 mile long run will take you to the Shake Shack where your 1st wine, beer or shake is free.
Also, stop at the store to pick up pre-written routes their training groups use.
Boston Street Running
With the store mantra “Run Free,” Boston Street Running’s carries premium running shoes & apparel that have been tested and they believe in. The only running store in the greater Baltimore/Washington DC area to offer a proprietary QuadPOV gait/stride analysis.
Outside of Downtown:
Falls Road Running Store
Baltimore’s oldest specialty running store. Located in the northern part of the city and holds fun races such as the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler and Dreaded Druid Hills Race. 5 mile group runs are held on Thursdays at 6:30pm, from spring daylight savings to fall daylight savings.
Fleet Feet Sports Baltimore
This running store is family owned and has some pretty knowledgable staff -Owners Bobby Levin and Karen Levin have run 27 and 28 marathons respectively, and son Kevin has run 8. Every year since 2011, Fleet Feet Sports, Baltimore has been named one of the “50 Best Running Stores in America.” Group runs are held Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6pm, and on Saturdays spring through fall only.
Other group runs
November Project, a great running group who get together at Rash Field in the inner harbor on T/W/Th.
Events
Baltimore Running Festival. October. 5k/half/full marathon
Highly recommended,: a little bit of everything: great hills with high elevation and deep lows, lots of flat land, and many opportunities to pass.
Baltimore 6 Miler August
Fast and scenic course that highlights the Baltimore waterfront promenade and the City’s South East communities.
Dreaded Druid Hills 10K. August
Known as the race you love to hate, this 10K provides the hills, heat and humidity, as it’s held in August.
Charles Street 12 Miler. September.
Perfect course for those working towards a marathon, runs along Baltimore’s historic streets, starting at the shops at Kenilworth and finishing at the Power Plant Live where the post-party is held.
Celtic Solstice Five Miler. December
Baltimore’s premier winter event, the Celtic Solstice Five Miler is held in December and is a very popular event with over 4,000 runners. You will usually find men in kilts and spiced wine and hot soup after the race.
New Year’s Day Resolution Run Baltimore 5K. January 1
Intentionally scheduled in the afternoon (starting at 2pm) so you can sleep in after your New Year’s Eve festivities. The course starts and ends at the Pavillion and runs throughout Patterson Park. A warm and hearty lunch of chili and cornbread await you at the post-race celebration in St. Elizabeth Church Hall.
