The best running trails in St. Louis County

There are over 95 running routes in St. Louis County, offering a wide variety of options for all fitness levels. The komoot community has explored these trails over 1000 times, with routes ranging from easy to difficult.

St. Louis County offers diverse terrain for jogging. You'll find extensive greenways, scenic river views along the Mississippi and Meramec, and numerous parks with lakes. Trails wind through shaded forests, open meadows, and natural areas, featuring both paved paths and crushed limestone surfaces.

Yes, St. Louis County has several easy routes perfect for beginners. For example, the Bass and Dry Lake Loop is a moderate 5.7-mile trail with scenic lake views, and many parks like Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park offer paved, relatively flat loops. Overall, 7 of the routes are classified as easy.

Many routes in St. Louis County boast scenic views. The Knife River Hiking Trail offers a mix of woodland and riverine scenery. For lake views, consider the Lakewalk loop from University of Minnesota Duluth. You can also explore highlights like the Duluth Lakewalk (Canal Park) or the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory for unique sights along your run.

Yes, many running routes in St. Louis County are loops, providing a convenient way to start and end your run at the same point. Examples include the Lakewalk loop from Duluth Union Depot and the Canal Park – Duluth Lakewalk (Canal Park) loop from Duluth Union Depot. Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park also features the popular 5.3-mile Lakeview Loop Trail.

The running routes in St. Louis County are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 5.0 stars. Runners often praise the diverse landscapes, from river views and greenways to shaded forests and lakes, as well as the variety of trail difficulties available.

For those seeking a challenge, St. Louis County offers several difficult routes. The Canal Park – Lester Park Trailhead loop from French River is a demanding 42.7-mile route with significant elevation gain. Another option is the Ely's Peak – Enger Tower loop from Norton Park, which is also a difficult, long-distance trail.

St. Louis County is committed to expanding its greenway system, like the Great Rivers Greenway initiative, which connects various areas with accessible paths, often implying good access. Many major parks, such as Forest Park and Creve Coeur Park, are well-known for having ample parking facilities near their trailheads, making them convenient starting points for your run.

Absolutely! St. Louis County is rich in lakes and water features. Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park offers the 5.3-mile Lakeview Loop Trail with continuous lake views. Other parks like Bella Fontaine Park, Tiemeyer Park, and Spanish Lake Park also include lakes and walking trails. You can also explore highlights like Lake Ore-Be-Gone.

For families, parks with paved paths and amenities are ideal. Forest Park, with its over 30 miles of diverse trails, including gravel and paved pathways, is a fantastic option. Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park also offers a large lake and diverse trails suitable for all ages, including the paved Lakeview Loop Trail.

Yes, St. Louis County is home to extensive forested areas. Rockwoods Reservation, an 1,880-acre state forest, provides a significant natural landscape for running. Greensfelder Park and trails within Castlewood State Park also wind through woods, offering shaded and natural settings for trail running.