Perhaps, like the authors of this piece, you’ve been grappling with some cabin fever as the winter drags on. If you’re looking for motivation to get out more regularly for a walk or run, we’ve compiled a few recommendations:
Charles River Trail Between Brighton and Waltham (9 miles)
Now that the ice and snow have mostly melted, it’s a great time to explore some non-paved trails! Running along the Charles River between Brighton and Waltham includes several stretches of more natural trails surrounded by trees, along with a couple of fun pedestrian bridges that allow you to cross the river. I recommend picking up the Charles River Bike Path near Brooks Rd. and running out and back to Waltham (about 9 miles – route pictured above). On the way back, cross the river at Bridge Street for some nice trails on the Watertown side of the river. I live near Oak Square, and my go-to shorter run is a 4 mile loop at the beginning of that route, where I cross the river at Galen Street before looping back to Brighton. — Kelly
Parks and Ponds around the CSTM (3.4 miles)
Explore the parks and ponds right around the CSTM! This 3.4 mile run is a hilly one but very scenic. It’s a great run that passes through a lot of beautiful places that are right around the CSTM. Pass through Chandler Pond, the golf course, the park behind EF, and Roger’s Park. For a nice scenic overlook, take a breather at the top of the park behind EF and head over through to the wooded area. You’ll find yourself overlooking Chandler Pond! For an additional 2 miles, you can add a loop around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. — Taiga
Chestnut Hill and Brookline Reservoirs (5.5 miles)
You’re probably very familiar with the Chestnut Hill Reservoir (a favorite running and walking route right next to BC’s campus that is about 1.65 miles around). When I want to do about 5 or 6 miles, I start by the ice skating rink and do a loop of the Reservoir. Then, I hop off that trail, run down to Cleveland Circle, and make a right on Chestnut Hill Avenue. A little less than a mile up the road (it’s a bit of a hill, but worth it!) is the Brookline Reservoir, slightly smaller than Chestnut Hill and boasting some beautiful sneak peeks of the skyline in Boston’s Back Bay. It’s a favorite place of mine during all seasons! I make a loop there and then head back to Cleveland Circle via Clinton Road, across Boylston. — Anna
Charles River heading downtown (10 miles – but variable)
You’ll never feel more Bostonian than running along the Charles River, autumnal leaves crunching under your feet, crews of rowers on the water only a few yards away, and the Prudential Tower in the distance. I like to start near the Northeastern University Boathouse (Point A on the map) and head downtown on the Boston side of the river. You can cross any of the bridges along the way, depending how far you feel like running, and then return on the Cambridge side of the river. It’s a great way to see a bit of the other universities in the area, as you’ll run past BU, MIT, and Harvard. — Danny
We hope this brief post might offer a bit of encouragement to bundle up and set off on an outdoor adventure in our backyard someday soon. Run well!