The Best Running Routes In Rio De Janeiro

Long stretches of coastline, plenty of parks and lush rainforests make Rio de Janeiro a wonderful city for running or jogging. Whether it’s a gentle jog around Copacabana, or the more challenging terrain of Tijuca forest, here we explore some of Rio’s best running routes for both beginners and more advanced fitness fanatics.

Lagoa

Lagoa is a large, picturesque lake in the south zone of the city, making it a beautiful spot to run. Runners can jog around the 7.38 kilometer (4.5 mile) cycle path that circles around the lake, enjoying the stunning views and tranquil setting. The terrain is mostly flat with a few points of minor elevation that are easy and over in seconds.

Maracanã Stadium

Gym, Stadium

Joggers can run around the 1.8 kilometer (1.1 mile) perimeter of the iconic Brazilian football stadium. Runners can also use the public outdoor gym equipment that is set up at a few points alongside the running track for an additional arm workout or a place to stretch post-run. The area remains well-lit after dark, making it a safe option for evening running on the track’s flat terrain.

Flamengo Park

Park

Running through Flamengo Park will clock up 4.85 kilometers (three miles) and takes runners through a varied terrain of flat stretches, winding paths and a few hilly points, creating a slightly more challenging route than Lagoa or Maracaña. During the day, Flamengo park makes an incredibly pleasant run, but is best avoided at night.

Copacabana and Leme

Running from one end of Copacabana to the other and returning is 8.11 kilometers (five miles). The terrain is flat, making for an easy jogging route. What makes the track challenging is the amount of other runners, skateboarders and cyclists who all share the same path which can make things rather crowded, so keep alert for other users. The area is well-lit at night and has plenty of people around so it is a safe option for running in the evening.

Praia de Botafogo

Park

Start at the beginning of Botafogo beach next to Flamengo Park and follow the path that curves around the bay with the backdrop of the Sugarloaf mountain to the left. Continue following the road down the tree-lined avenue until the finish point at the beach Praia Vermelha in Urca. The whole route is about seven kilometers (4.3 miles) and is mostly flat, with just one hilly point that can be a bit challenging. This route is fantastic during the day, but not recommended for evening or night runs.

Barra da Tijuca

Braa da Tijuca surfing |© Alexandre Macieira | Riotur/Flickr

The whole coastline of Barra da Tijuca from one end to the other stretches a total of 12 kilometers (7.45 miles), creating a wonderful route for a long-distance run. A flat, straight cycle path runs parallel to the beach offering scenic views during a jog. Running one way and back again will be approximately the equivalent to a half marathon. It gets empty at night, but the area is safe and pleasant for a night-time run.

Leblon

To run from the furthest end of Leblon to Ipanema and back again is approximately eight kilometers (five miles). The cycle path runs next to the beach and can get crowded in the evenings, so pay attention to cyclists, skateboarders and other runners. The cycle path is flat and smooth with gorgeous beach views.

Tijuca

Forest, Park

The Tijuca forest is a wonderful running route that starts from the entrance of the forest up to Vista Chinesa, a gazebo that overlooks Lagoa and Ipanema. The track is an asphalt road and is steep, providing a challenging climb for even the most advanced runners. The park opens between 8AM and 6PM, so pay attention to run between these times. The route from the bottom to the top is 4.4 kilometers (2.83 miles).

About the author

Sarah Brown

Sarah is a British freelance journalist and writer based in Rio de Janeiro. Her favourite travel experiences so far include swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, trekking through Rio's urban forest and enjoying the city life in Madrid. Find her on Instagram @sbgrio