Best Scenic Trail Runs for Nature Lovers: 5 Amazing Destinations
If you love running but would rather spend your miles surrounded by mountains, forests, lakes and wild landscapes than city streets, a scenic trail running adventure could be the perfect way to travel.
From the volcanic landscapes of Iceland and the alpine trails of the Dolomites to the tea plantations of Sri Lanka, the mountains of Pakistan and the vast wilderness of Canada, there are incredible places around the world where running becomes a way of exploring somewhere truly special.
For runners looking for a trail running holiday, running vacation, or active adventure that combines beautiful scenery with great trails, these five destinations should be high on your list.
At Run Weekends, we create small-group running adventures in some of the world's most spectacular landscapes. You don't need to be an elite runner or be chasing a personal best. Our trips are about exploring, running, meeting like-minded people and experiencing destinations on foot.
Contents
Iceland: Volcanic Landscapes, Glaciers and Waterfalls
Iceland is one of the world's most spectacular destinations for a scenic trail running adventure.
The landscape feels almost otherworldly, with volcanic mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, rivers, black sand and vast open valleys creating a constantly changing backdrop for your run.
Rather than simply visiting Iceland's most famous sights, trail running allows you to experience the landscape at a much more intimate pace. You can leave the roads behind, follow mountain trails and spend hours surrounded by dramatic scenery.
For runners travelling from the US, Iceland is also an exciting option for a European running vacation that feels completely different from a traditional city break.
Why go trail running in Iceland?
Dramatic volcanic landscapes
Glaciers and mountain scenery
Waterfalls and rivers
Remote trails and huge open spaces
A unique destination for an adventure running vacation
Spectacular scenery throughout the route
Iceland is particularly appealing if you want your running holiday to feel like a genuine
adventure rather than simply a race in another country.
Sri Lanka: Mountains, Tea Plantations and Tropical Trails
Sri Lanka offers something completely different.
Instead of volcanic landscapes and alpine mountains, you can run through lush forests, mountains, tea plantations and rural landscapes, with waterfalls and tropical scenery along the way.
The island's central highlands are particularly spectacular for trail runners. The combination of elevation, greenery and traditional tea-growing landscapes makes Sri Lanka one of the most distinctive places to run.
A Sri Lanka running vacation also gives you the opportunity to experience much more than the trails themselves. Running becomes part of a wider adventure through a country famous for its landscapes, food, culture and wildlife.
Why go trail running in Sri Lanka?
Lush tropical landscapes
Mountain and forest trails
Famous tea-growing regions
Waterfalls and rivers
Varied terrain
A very different running experience from Europe or North America
If your idea of a perfect trail running holiday involves running through green mountains before finishing the day somewhere surrounded by nature, Sri Lanka is hard to ignore.
Canada: Lakes, Forests and Mountain Wilderness
Canada is almost synonymous with wilderness.
For trail runners, that means seemingly endless opportunities to escape onto trails surrounded by forests, mountains and enormous lakes.
Canada is particularly appealing for runners from North America who are looking for an adventure running vacation without necessarily travelling to another continent. For international visitors, meanwhile, it offers the chance to experience some of the world's most famous wilderness landscapes on foot.
The scale is one of the things that makes Canadian trail running so special. You can spend hours running through nature with mountains and lakes providing the backdrop, rather than constantly encountering roads, buildings and traffic.
Why go trail running in Canada?
Spectacular mountain scenery
Huge freshwater lakes
Forest trails
Vast wilderness
Wildlife and natural landscapes
A classic North American trail running experience
For anyone searching for trail running vacations in Canada, a small-group running trip can be a great way to experience the landscape without having to plan every route, accommodation and logistics yourself.
Pakistan: Remote Mountains and High-Altitude Landscapes
For runners looking for something genuinely different, Pakistan offers an extraordinary trail running experience.
Pakistan is home to some of the world's most dramatic mountain landscapes, with enormous peaks, deep valleys and remote communities creating a backdrop unlike almost anywhere else on this list.
This isn't the conventional running vacation. It is an adventure that combines trail running with exploration and cultural experiences.
The scale of the mountains is particularly impressive. Running through these landscapes gives you a completely different perspective from simply viewing them from a vehicle or visiting a tourist viewpoint.
Why go trail running in Pakistan?
Spectacular mountain scenery
Remote valleys and trails
High-altitude landscapes
Dramatic Himalayan and Karakoram scenery
A genuinely adventurous destination
A less conventional trail running vacation
If your ideal running holiday is somewhere far from the usual tourist trail, Pakistan could be the destination you've been looking for.
The Dolomites: Dramatic Alpine Trail Running
The Dolomites are one of Europe's great destinations for mountain running.
The distinctive limestone peaks rise dramatically above green valleys, alpine meadows and mountain trails. Around almost every corner there is another spectacular view.
For runners based in the UK or Europe, the Dolomites also offer an excellent option for a European trail running vacation without the long-haul travel required for some of the destinations on this list.
The trails combine beautiful scenery with the experience of running through a genuine mountain environment. There are climbs, descents, ridgelines, forests and alpine landscapes, making every day feel like an adventure.
Why go trail running in the Dolomites?
Dramatic limestone peaks
Alpine trails and meadows
Mountain valleys
Forest and high-altitude terrain
Incredible panoramic views
Easy access from the UK and wider Europe
The Dolomites are particularly well suited to runners who want a classic European trail running holiday with spectacular mountain scenery and a strong sense of adventure.
Which Scenic Trail Running Destination Is Right for You?
Every destination offers something different. If you're deciding where to go for your next trail running holiday or running vacation, this comparison can help.
Five destinations, five very different running adventures
If you want volcanic landscapes and glaciers, choose Iceland.
If you want lush greenery, tea plantations and tropical mountains, Sri Lanka offers something completely different.
If forests, lakes and vast wilderness appeal to you, Canada could be the perfect choice.
If you're looking for remote mountains and an adventure far from the usual tourist routes, Pakistan stands out.
And if you want classic European alpine trail running, the Dolomites are hard to beat.
Why Choose a Run Weekends Running Adventure?
Planning a trail running vacation yourself can involve a lot of work. Finding the best trails, organising accommodation, working out transport, carrying everything you need and making sure the route works from day to day can quickly become a bigger project than expected.
That's where a guided small-group running adventure can make things easier.
At Run Weekends, our trips are designed for people who want to explore beautiful places by running through them, without needing to organise every detail themselves.
You don't have to be an elite athlete. Our trips are about enjoying the experience, exploring somewhere new and sharing the adventure with a group of like-minded runners.
Depending on the destination, our trips can combine:
Scenic trail running
Mountain and wilderness landscapes
Local food and culture
Carefully planned routes
Accommodation in interesting locations
Support from the Run Weekends team
Small groups of like-minded runners
A genuine sense of adventure
Whether you call it a trail running holiday, running vacation, running trip, trail running adventure or active holiday, the idea is the same: travel somewhere incredible and experience it on foot.
Start Planning Your Trail Running Vacation
You don't need to wait for your next race to give your running a purpose.
A trail running holiday can be a completely different way to travel. Instead of spending your days moving between tourist attractions, you can explore mountains, forests, valleys and wilderness one trail at a time.
From Iceland's volcanic landscapes to Sri Lanka's tea plantations, Canada's wilderness, Pakistan's enormous mountains and the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites, there is a destination for every type of nature-loving runner.
Ready to find your next running adventure? Explore the Run Weekends trips and start planning your next trail running holiday.
Comments