Best Running Routes in Minneapolis
The best places to run in Minneapolis, MN are its car-free trails, greenways, and park loops — the same multi-use paths cyclists use, framed here for runners. Brutally cold winters (0–25°F, sub-zero snaps), warm humid summers (62–86°F).
Climate for running in Minneapolis
Brutally cold winters (0–25°F, sub-zero snaps), warm humid summers (62–86°F). Spring is muddy and late; fall is sharp and gorgeous but brief.
Running-friendly paths
Grand Rounds Byway
≈50 miFlat riverside path with open views — a longtime favorite with runners and easy to dial in to any distance.
Cedar Lake Trail
≈14 miCar-free greenway — a safe, continuous path through the city that runners can shorten or extend at will.
Minnehaha & River Road
≈18 miFlat riverside path with open views — a longtime favorite with runners and easy to dial in to any distance.
Distances are the full path length — most runners do an out-and-back or a single loop and adjust to taste.
Season by season
Spring
Apr–MayLate thaw and prairie wind. Layers for 40°F mornings that warm fast.
Summer
Jun–AugLong days, warm humid afternoons. The lakeside paths stay a touch cooler.
Fall
Sep–OctPrime, dry, colorful — but the window is short. Ride everything you can.
Winter
Nov–MarDeep cold and snow. Fat-bike the trails or move it inside.
What to wear running in Minneapolis
Match your kit to the temperature with the free tool:
Frequently asked
Where can I run in Minneapolis?
Top car-free options in Minneapolis include Grand Rounds Byway, Cedar Lake Trail, Minnehaha & River Road.
Is Minneapolis a good city for running?
The best places to run in Minneapolis, MN are its car-free trails, greenways, and park loops — the same multi-use paths cyclists use, framed here for runners. Brutally cold winters (0–25°F, sub-zero snaps), warm humid summers (62–86°F).
What should I wear running in Minneapolis?
Dress for the conditions: Brutally cold winters (0–25°F, sub-zero snaps), warm humid summers (62–86°F). Spring is muddy and late; fall is sharp and gorgeous but brief. Use the free What-to-Wear tool for the exact kit at today's temperature.
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