How to Choose Trails for Trail Running

Not all trails are cut out for running. Pick your paths carefully to ensure a great workout.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Trail Running Shorts
• Trail guides
• Local Guidebooks
• Trail-running Shoes
• Trail Running Socks

1. Buy a trail guide. If there are no books specifically devoted to trail running for your area, get a guide to hiking, mountain biking or cross-country skiing trails.
2. Ask the personnel at a running shoe store or outdoor outfitter for their opinion on the area's best trails. Be sure to tell them exactly what types of trails would be appropriate for your personal fitness level.
3. Join a running club and ask its members what trails they would recommend. If the runners in the club don't like to run on trails, convince them to try.
4. Decide what kind of run you want to do. Would you prefer to run a loop, or would you rather run out and back?
5. Consider who you're likely to run into on any particular trail. If you don't like sharing a trail with mountain bikers or horseback riders, look for trails that permit only foot travel.
6. Study a topographical map of your area and decide which trails are most appropriate for you.
7. Take into account the ease of access, terrain, elevation, mileage, exposure to sun and wind, and the presence of water.
8. Visit online resources like Trails.com to see if they list trail running trails in your area.

Tips & Warnings

• Never assume that everything you find in a trail guide is correct. Before trying a new trail, call ahead to appropriate land-management agencies to ensure that the trail is currently safe and open to the public.
• Get out and try new trails. There are always winners hidden amidst the duds.