From the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt to the Pouākai Circuit in New Zealand to Haleakalā National Park in Maui, there are many incredible running trails all over the world. The new National Geographic book, 100 Runs of a Lifetime, written by Bart Yasso (who served as the chief running officer for 30 years at Runner’s World magazine), explores all of these destinations and more. Here are five running trails that are worth traveling for.
Pyramids of Giza
Egypt
Cairo is a popular destination for travelers to Egypt, but busy streets, heavy traffic, and air quality can make it difficult for runners to carve out a path for training. Endurance athletes shouldn’t be deterred, however, from visiting this historic and energetic Egyptian capital. An unforgettable run waits just 12 miles (19 km) outside the city: the dunes and lesser-traveled roads surrounding the Pyramids at Giza and the Great Sphinx.
The Great Sphinx of Giza, a limestone statue of a lion with a human head, measures 240 feet (73 m) long and 66 feet (20 m) high. Historians estimate it was built around 2500 b.c., perhaps as a monument to the pharaoh Khafre. The Great Pyramid, meanwhile, was built about 100 years earlier as the tomb of the pharaoh Khufu. You’re here for the scenery, not necessarily the miles. The area is small, but you can make a worthy run out of traversing the sand dunes—just keep the pyramid within your sight line, as the otherwise featureless desert can make it easy to become disoriented.
The surrounding roads also offer focus and informal checkpoints. And though you may be tempted to run up to these epic monoliths, please don’t. It’s illegal to climb these or any of the other pyramids at this UNESCO World Heritage site. The pyramids are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, and crowds are lightest earlier in the morning.
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Forêt de la Providence
Réunion Island
Réunion Island is best described as a mountain sitting in the ocean. This under-the-radar region, just 39 miles (63 km) long and 28 miles (45 km) wide, has a thriving running scene, offering more than 600 miles (965 km) of trails to explore. But first, you have to know how to reach the island. It’s actually nowhere near France. In fact, Réunion Island is an overseas department in the western Indian Ocean, about 420 miles (680 km) east of Madagascar and 110 miles (180 km) southwest of Mauritius.
A nonstop flight from the East Coast of the United States will take 22 to 30 hours to the airport in Saint-Denis, the capital city of Réunion Island. A flight from France, meanwhile, is 11 hours. When you finally reach this little-known gem, an unmatched adventure awaits you on its white and black sandy beaches, and lush, mountainous interior. With so many trails, your run could start almost as soon as you get off the plane.
Take a four-mile (6.4 km) jaunt along the Forêt de la Providence as a sneak peek of what to expect during the rest of your trail-running vacation. The terrain is technical all over—expect a lot of rocks and roots underfoot— but the options are endless. Add the active volcano Piton de la Fournaise to your must-see list with a nine-mile (14.5 km) run on volcanic rock and ash formed by lava flows. You can access it from the Pas de Bellecombe trailhead, at about 7,710 feet (2,350 m) above sea level.
The Pouākai Circuit
Egmont National Park, New Zealand
The Ahukawakawa Swamp in the Pouākai Circuit requires runners to cross a boardwalk. Photograph by Adwo, Alamy Stock Photo
The Pouākai Circuit (or Circuit Track as it’s known locally) is a demanding route in Egmont National Park, on the west coast of the North Island. It features essential views of Mount Taranaki, a dormant stratovolcano rising 8,000 feet (2,438 m) above sea level. And if that’s not enough adventure for you, a round-trip trail to the top of the volcano stretches another eight miles (12.9 km). The Pouākai Circuit is a daylong excursion for most runners, due to the diversity of terrain and plentiful climbing throughout the trek.
A lot of the track is runnable, but sections of volcanic rock will require hiking instead. You’ll encounter forestland, alpine tussock fields thick with grass, lakes, and swampland. You’ll also see highlights like the Boomerang Slip, a volcanic scar on the landscape formed by a landslide (watch your step on the loose scree), and the Dieffenbach Cliffs. The Ahukawakawa Swamp, an alpine wetland packed with unique flora, requires runners to cross a boardwalk. Climbing out of the swamp requires navigating some steps and stairs.
For those who would rather slow down and break this run up into two days, the route has huts that welcome hikers. You can reserve a bunk online if you’d rather not leave it to chance. With such a diverse landscape, this is an excellent route for those who prefer to have a wide variety of scenery.
Haleakalā National Park
Maui, Hawaii
Pele’s Paint Pot in Haleakalā National Park in Maui. Photograph by M Swiet Productions, Getty Images
Haleakalā National Park is divided into two districts, each with a unique landscape and dense forest. The Summit District features the eponymous dormant volcano and a massive valley. The Coastal District is marked by bamboo forests and striking waterfalls. Both are worth visiting, depending on what kind of run you’re looking for, and offer a diversity of trail experiences.
The Sliding Sands Trail in the Summit District is an iconic favorite. This demanding trek descends into the valley—or crater—along an 11-mile (17.7 km) trail that actually starts at the summit of Haleakalā volcano. At 10,023 feet (3,055 m) above sea level, remember that you’ll have to climb back up to the summit for the second half of this run, so measure your effort accordingly (don’t discount the sandy footing—it adds to the challenge). Around 5.5 miles (8.9 km), you’ll pass Pele’s Paint Pot. Here, the oxidized volcanic minerals make the surface appear as if a painter brushed the landscape in strokes of red, orange, yellow, and white. You’ll also encounter silverswords, flowering perennial plants that are now a protected species.
Haleakalā is a sacred area for Hawaiians, so respect your surroundings and strictly stick to the trails. Make sure to pack warm clothes while visiting this area. Surprisingly for Maui, temperatures in Haleakalā National Park can dip below freezing at the top of the volcano. Layers are advised.
(Related: The best trail running shoes, according to the pros)
Table Mountain National Park
Cape Town, South Africa
The Platteklip Gorge Trail is the most direct route to the top of Table Mountain. Photograph by Stephen Alvarez, Nat Geo Image Collection
It’s easy to see where Table Mountain got its name. The mountain’s steep cliffs loom over Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean, then completely flatten out on top to form a two-mile-long (3.2 km) plateau. A cable car has made the summit an easy-to-reach hot spot for tourists, but runners will find plenty of hiking and running trails for a one-of-a-kind challenge—particularly given Table Mountain’s altitude at 3,563 feet (1,086 m).
The Platteklip Gorge Trail is the most direct route to the top of Table Mountain. It starts on Tafelberg Road and skirts west of Maclear’s Beacon, the mountain’s highest point, while gaining 2,000 feet (610 m) in just 1.5 miles (2.4 km) via rocky steps and trail. The grade is steep, but several lookout points make the top more than just a quick photograph. If you want a longer route, another popular option is the climb up nearby Devil’s Peak, also starting from Tafelberg Road. The Devil’s Peak path stretches 4.3 miles (7 km) on a zigzagging trail, then deposits you at a summit featuring a 360-degree view of Cape Town, as well as Table Mountain.
You may run into Indian gray mongooses or rock hyraxes, among other wildlife, along the way. With so many routes to choose from, you may wear yourself out on Table Mountain. The good news is that the cable car option is still on the table (so to speak). Hitch a ride back down the mountain and find yourself some bunny chow (hollowed-out bread stuffed with curry, kidney beans, or meat).
