The Best Running Routes in Brooklyn, New York City

Prospect Park

For warm-weather runs, you can’t beat Brooklyn’s 585-acre Prospect Park. The foliage-filled green space provides plenty of shaded stretches (a godsend on sweltering summer days), while the short 3.68-mile (5.92-kilometer) loop offers picturesque views of Prospect Park Lake, natural scenery and creatures, and more. Tip: time your run for a Sunday when the park hosts the foodie-favorite market Smorgasburg, an ideal destination for post-run refreshments.

Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY, USA, +1 718 965 8951

Courtesy of Prospect Park Alliance, credit: Martin Seck

Over the Brooklyn Bridge

Overrun with slow-walking, sidewalk-hogging tourists, the famous Brooklyn Bridge is one route you have to approach intelligently. An early-morning run here will reward you with up-close views of the bridge’s awe-inspiring architecture as well as aerial glimpses of both Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Brooklyn Bridge, New York, NY, USA

Brooklyn Bridge | © Free-Photos / Pixabay

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Featuring a flexible route, Brooklyn Bridge Park is an excellent pick for all experience levels. Waterfront runs offer stunning views of Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan, and more, making for a scenic sweat session. Beginners can run around the park and its piers for a breezy two-mile (3.6-kilometer) run, while more experienced athletes can easily extend the route by running into adjacent neighborhoods.

Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY, USA, +1 718 222 9939

Join @nyrr’s free #5K Open Run tonight (and every Tuesday night) at Pier 6! Meet at 6:45 by Fornino. Photo courtesy NYRR

A post shared by Brooklyn Bridge Park (@brooklynbridgepark) on Mar 28, 2017 at 12:28pm PDT

Green-Wood Cemetery

For a more challenging workout, Green-Wood Cemetery’s hilly three-mile (4.8-kilometer) route is sure to make you sweat. Don’t be fooled by its short distance, as this run, situated in an active cemetery, features hills varying in elevation, making it a popular pick amongst marathon trainees.

Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th St, Brooklyn, NY, USA, +1 718 768 7300

Green-Wood Cemetery | © Eden, Janine and Jim / Flickr

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

You may recognize Brooklyn Heights Promenade from its cameos in classic New York City films, including Annie Hall. Situated in Brooklyn’s oldest neighborhood, this short route (which can be extended to eight miles [12.9 kilometers] by starting at Park Slope and looping around) provides stunning vistas featuring the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Montague St & Pierrepont Pl, Brooklyn, NY, USA, +1 718 722 3214

Brooklyn Heights Promenade | © Joe Mabel / WikiCommons