New study reveals best places to run in Canada

A new study by British e-commerce running retailer Sportsshoes.com and American travel website TripAdvisor has revealed the best places to run in Canada, according to reviews on TripAdvisor. The study analyzed 100,000 online reviews for 760 places in Canada and assembled a list of 10 that display stunning natural beauty to elevate one’s running motivation.

Best places to run in Canada

1) Stanley Park, Vancouver

No surprise, Vancouver’s Stanley Park tops the list of best places to run in Canada, offering runners forest trails, rustic gardens, and water-surrounded routes with breathtaking views to take your run to the next level.

2) Vancouver Seawall, Vancouver

The Vancouver Seawall was the second most popular destination in Canada. The seawall is a must-visit spot for tourists and locals. This iconic location is a firm favourite as the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path, with 27 km across Vancouver for runners to enjoy.

3) Mount Royal Park, Montreal

Rounding off the top three is Mount Royal Park in Montreal. With a mixture of woodland, a 700-foot summit and lakeside paths, Mount Royal affords runners a mix of terrain for some hills or other training varieties to help get the legs pumping.

4) Fish Creek Provincial Park, Calgary

Calgary’s Fish Creek Provincial Park is one of the largest urban wildernesses in Canada, with more almost 90 km of running trails.

5) Point Pleasant Park, Halifax

Nestled on a peninsula that juts into the Atlantic at the south end of Halifax, Point Pleasant Park is a runner’s dream, boasting more than 77 hectares of parkland crisscrossed with 39 km of paths and winding trails.

6) Springbank Park, London, Ont.

London’s Springbank Park runs for almost 25 km alongside the Thames River. This is a popular area for runners in southwestern Ontario. The trails and paths at the park are well marked and maintained, following a mix of paved and divided trails and gravel trails.

7) Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Vancouver

Pacific Spirit Regional Park in Vancouver offers more than 70 km of running trails in luscious forest terrain. This park also has 7 km of shoreline trails along the Georgia Strait.

8) Point Pelee National Park, Leamington, Ont.

At the southernmost point of Canada’s mainland, Point Pelee National Park has stunning views of Lake Erie and miles and miles of coastal trails. The park is a popular running destination for those looking to do long or tempo runs in the summer.

9) Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park, Central Saanich, B.C.

The 10 km outer trail around Elk/Beaver Lake is popular with the Vancouver Island running community, with picturesque views, stunning nature and several spots for a post-run swim.

10) Westwood Lake Park, Nanaimo, B.C.

Westwood Lake Park is also a popular park on Vancouver Island. Nestled in the foothills of Nanaimo’s Mt. Benson, it is a year-round destination for walkers and runners, with a 5.5-kilometre trail around the outside of Westwood Lake.