The Most Beautiful Running Paths in Houston

Don’t get too distracted on these runs with a view.

While Houston does n’t exactly have a reputation as the nation ’s most beautiful city , it is enough pretty . And it ’s plenty joggable , too . Of these 13 scenic run lead , we ’ve got bayouside pathways with view of the downtown skyline , trek wrap through some of Houston ’s most attractive parking lot , and a three - mile loop that can end in you smashing a juicy burger , if you so please . Here ’s where to get some aesthetically pleasing mi under your bash in Houston .

Memorial Park

Whether you ’re a marathon offset , a casual jogger , or a power Zimmer frame who really just want an excuse to grab aBecks Primeburger afterward , we ’re certain you ’ve hitMemorial Park’suber - popular three - mile loop . But we bet you did n’t know its real name is The Seymour Lieberman Exer - Trail , because it ’s likely no one really knows that and the Three - Mile Loop is so much easier to say . Lined by prominent , beautiful Texas oaks , the of late reimagined , 24/7 crushed granite trail make water for a pretty , if not pretty jam-packed rivulet during the park ’s peak hours . If you want to escape the crowd and get one with nature ( we ’re talking bayou current , a lake , and the Houston Arboretum ) , veer off to the 30 mile of trails on the south side of the loop-the-loop . course tight enough and you ’ll still have time for Becks Prime .

MKT Trail

With part of its route stretch along the bed of the abandon Missouri – Kansas – Texas Railroad , this popular , revamped route is more ordinarily be intimate as theHeights Hike and Bike Trail , stretching from West 26th in the Heights all the way to the border of UH Downtown . There ’s a hatful to pass along the way ( including local tearing holes like Onion Creek and EZ ’s Liquor Lounge , where you could down in for a drink before sustain your second tip ) .

Buffalo Bayou Park

The downtown horizon beams in the ground of this peak jewel160 - acre urban commons , put up you both motivation to dig deeper and something pretty to wait at . Its running trail wind along the Buffalo Bayou , with lush woodland and pockets of wild flower , optic - catching walker bridge deck , nerveless artistic creation initiation , jet and trickle falls , a lake , a dog commons , and an full restaurant that looks like a glass treehouse set along the way .

Get pes escaped on the 10 - feet - all-embracing Sandy Reed Memorial lead , which earmark bicycler , walkers , and jogger to divvy up the way , or dip down to the Kinder Footpath , a five - foundation - wide asphalt walking and jog trail that execute along the bayou ’s banks . At night , an groundbreaking lunar - oscillation lighting system designed by artist Stephen Korns crystalize the trail , vacillate from blue to whiten along with the phases of the synodic month .

Yolanda Black Navarro Buffalo Bend Nature Park

Over on theeastern trailhead of the Buffalo Bayou , you ’ll find this 10 - acre parking area located near the Port of Houston turning basin . The former industrial region began its metamorphosis into a rad - looking greenspace and wildlife conservation arena back in 2009 . It formally opened in 2016 , and with it came sweetening like 10,000 wetland plants , rock wall , and weave hike and bike trail where you get to hangout with ducks . The serene parking area is only undetermined for “ passive refreshment , ” so you wo n’t find any pesky tennis or basketball game getting in the means of your runner ’s Elvis .

Rice University Loop

flop across the street from Hermann Park , this 2.92 mile loop through the scenic Rice University is the manner to go for architecture buffs , with public art and gorgeous building pop up all around campus and common ivy - hide homes dotting the outskirts . Even better ? It ’s one of the shadiest rivulet in townsfolk , as towering oak Tree offer a striking suspension from the char Houston sun the full way . Even better than better ? The crushed rock track is flat enough to preserve your knees from yourself .

White Oak Bayou Greenway

plug into with the Heights Hike and Bike Trail , the lengthier , mostly scenicWhite Oak Bayou Trailhits nearly 17 miles of the city . We say mostly scenic because you may see a warehouse or two and some main road along your trek , but you ’ll also pass through picturesque greenspaces like the GOOF area ’s Watonga Parkway Park and T.C. Jester Park , Heights gems Stude Park and White Oak Park , and Hogg Park , just north of Downtown .

Terry Hershey Park

There ’s a damn butterfly garden in thiswestside park , so it can’tnotbe beautiful . There ’s also get down walk trails , tree - lined hike and cycle lead , and commodious runner ’s shower which could be quite red-hot depending on who ’s using them . For a furrowed runnel , hit the hard wooded Anthills Trail , an off - route lead patronise by bikers thanks to its rollercoasterlike itinerary .

Hermann Park

The 445 - acreHermann Parkis a chef-d’oeuvre in the center of Houston ; a prize that plays home to the Houston Zoo , Miller Outdoor Theatre , Japanese and McGovern Centennial Gardens , Jones Reflection Pool , and , most importantly for the purpose of this whole thing we ’re doing here , the 2 - mile Marvin Taylor Jogging Trail . execute the loop around the golf game course or zig and zag your way through the park ’s integrality to find hidden lakes , bridge deck , and garden . Either room , you ’ll be treated to wondrously - proceed , eye - pleasing grounds surround by nearly 10,000 Texas trees , some of which are nearly a century old .

George Bush Park

Political affiliations aside , this really massive,7,800 - acre parkon the west side of town is pretty all-fired attractive . Inside , you ’ll find a slithering scheme of jogging trails , look all fine alongside forest , bayous , and ponds , and queerly beautiful swamps , remind you that worthless is in the eye of the beholder . That ’s how the saying goes , right ?

Paul Carr Jogging Trail

Running from just northerly of I-10 to 20th Streets , this around two - stat mi strip down the historic Heights Boulevard will make you need to house hunt the 2nd you get home . Lined with stately house and quaint Victorian - style home with wrapping - around porches that you wish you had , plus seriously cool , rotating artistic creation installations along the agency , the only thing not pretty about this run is the ugly cry you do when you remember what ’s in your banking concern account statement .

Brays Bayou Greenway

There ’s a grounds we ’re called Bayou City , and this 31 - mile bayou is one of them . The by nature formed park flows eastwards from Fort Bend County , through the Texas Medical Center and to the Houston Ship Channel . Along it , you ’ll find a pop bayou - side running game trail , which can be easily accessed from both the Hermann Park and the University of Houston campus . It was already pretty odorous , and then the Houston Parks Board’sBayou Greenways2020 Project amped thing up through an uninterrupted typewriter ribbon of green place , concluded with hike and bike lead along the bayou within the metropolis limits .

George Mitchell Nature Preserve

Up northward in The Woodlands , this rusticnature preservecovers nearly 1,700 acres , but you ’ll need to strike the picturesque 2 - mile trail loop if you want to make it home for dinner , or like , ever . On top of the naturally surfaced , woodland and wildflower - lined jogging loop , the Flintridge Dr trailhead has three miles of motorcycle trail at which to get your exercise in .

Galveston Island

For a beautiful beachside trial , head flat for the sand , or ramble along the island ’s famous Seawall Blvd , which volunteer a10 - mile urban parkwith beach , ocean views , and the state ’s long uninterrupted pavement . The people watching may be even more entertaining than the scenery .

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