As temperatures cool in the evening, take a breather with one of the greatest cardio-inducing, stress-relaxing outdoor activities the Magic City has. Running routes across Miami are scenic and suitable for runners of all skill levels.
Rickenbacker Causeway
Start: Alice Wainwright Park, 2845 Brickell Ave
End: Near Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway. For the adventurous, extend the run into Virginia Key State Park, 4020 Virginia Beach Dr.
Distance: 3 or about 3.6 miles
One of the most popular and scenic routes Miami has to offer. The Rickenbacker Causeway is arguably Miami’s most popular running destination area. You can get plenty of ocean views and Biscayne Bay as you run along a long, challenging path.
Enjoy a nice, flat run along the Rickenbacker Causeway, which starts and ends at the bus station between the Seaquarium and RSMAS. Locals refer to this area as “Key Biscayne,” but the truth is it is officially known as the Rickenbacker Causeway. Besides the runner’s high, you’ll experience from the views. The “big bridge,” more formally known as the William Powell Bridge, will give you the highest elevation in South Florida available to runners.
South Beach
Start: South Pointe Pier
End: North Shore Open Space Park
Distance: 10 Miles
These hard-packed sands provide the best viewing stage for all that is Miami and its beaches. The vast sand beach stretches for nearly ten miles from south to north. On Sunday and Friday afternoons, you’ll be able to see the giant ships pulling out of port.
This run is good in the mornings or afternoons, although you may have to dodge some of the beachgoers going home in the afternoon. The nearly-seamless trail from 46th St. in the north to South Pointe Park, a little over 4 miles, is the ideal area for jogging on Miami Beach. The wooden Boardwalk stretches for 1.5 kilometers between 23rd and 46th Streets.
Except for a few tiny places, a concrete route runs mostly parallel to the shore from 23rd Street to South Beach. South Point Park is the most attractive portion, with spectacular views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. A large crowd and a happy atmosphere. The most incredible thing about this run is that you can go swimming afterward!
Venetian Causeway
Start: Margaret Pace Park
End: Biscayne Blvd.
Distance: 6.18 mi
There are several bridges and long causeways connecting the unique geography of the Miami area. The most interesting and runnable one is Venetian Causeway. The Venetian Islands were built in 1913 and featured gorgeous homes and views. Run with a 360-degree view from the bridge connecting the artificial islands that make the mileage fly by.
The sites of the multi-million-dollar homes and the yachts driving by can undoubtedly allow the mind to wander. Be cautious, though, because these sidewalks and bike lanes often get crowded due to their narrowness. Also, be prepared to take a mandatory break if the drawbridges go up to let a boat pass through.
Best kept secret: Take a side route on De Lido Island (the largest of the island chain along the causeway) to see some of the most unique and expensive homes along the water.
Lummus Park Sidewalk
Start: 5 Street
End: 14 Place
Distance: 5.28 mi
Named after the Lummus brothers, one of the original developers of Miami Beach, Lummus Park is part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. You’ve seen this area in just about every movie that has ever been shot on South Beach. Pick up this route off of 5th street and head north.
This is one of Miami Beach’s largest concentrations of Coconut Palms set as a tropical curtain of sorts for the Art Deco buildings along world-famous Ocean Drive. If you take this path north, you run to Mid-beach up near the Blue & Green Diamond Buildings, at which time you can either jump on the soft sand or make a left and head for the red sidewalk of Millionaire Row along Collins Avenue.
Downtown Miami Bayfront/Museum Park
Start: Brickell Key Drive and Brickell Avenue
End: Museum Park, 1075 Biscayne Blvd.
Distance: 2 miles
One of Miami’s newest sections of Baywalk and, frankly, one of the most populated areas. You can start on either end or at the loop around Brickell Key. As you come off the Brickell Key bridge, you can hang a right turn and stay along the Baywalk and take it back up to Brickell Avenue over the Brickell Avenue bridge.
Please stay on this path as it borders Biscayne Boulevard and passes Bayfront Park. After you have passed the Bayside Marketplace, you’ll cross over the entrance of Port of Miami and head past the American Airlines. After you give the area, you’ll enter Museum Park, home of the Perez Art Museum (PAMM).
This is one of Miami’s newest developed parks. You can run under a double row of Royal Palm Trees and get the feel of a finish line in the tropics. I take this path all the way over to Museum Park, and for fun, I like to climb the steps to the museum and make that my turnaround Rocky movie moment.
The view from the PAMM gives you a great idea of Port Miami. To add variety to the run, you can wind around some of the paths inside Bayfront Park to get better pictures of Biscayne Bay and even spot one of our local Dolphins swimming by.
Miami Beach Boardwalk
Start: Indian Beach Park, 4601 Collins Ave.
End: South Pointe Park
Distance: 4 miles
Because of the ideal combination of ocean wind and Atlantic Ocean vistas, the Miami Beach Boardwalk is one of my favorite places. It is here that you will have to stroll through visitors and residents, regardless of the time of year, giving you the sense of being on holiday.
The footing is excellent because the wood absorbs the shock of each step, and the textured pavers of the newer portions of the walkway require you to look down from time to time. I usually park on 22nd Street and run the Boardwalk north to 47th Street, although running south to north is also an option. There are a few locations where you might stop to cool down at a hotel or public shower on a hot day.
As you make your way to the center of South Beach, using this path will provide you with an incredible two-for-one deal of fantastic beach views and even more excellent opportunities to watch people. The prize at the finish line? A fantastic panorama of the lake can be seen from the South Pointe Park Pier.
These are simply a few of the many different running routes that Miami can take advantage of. Miami is a runner’s paradise with its ideal weather and scenic locations. So whether you are looking for a challenging hill workout or a leisurely beach jog, there is a route. So go out there, stay on one of the vacation rentals Miami Beach, or short-term rentals Miami Beach, or a penthouse for rent Miami
Looking for a place to walk with a good view in Miami? Read our article: Miami Riverwalk: Take a Beautiful Walk by the Water
