Milwaukeeans know how much the city has to offer, and its wide range of destinations extends to runners, too! There are dozens of great places for Milwaukee runs along beautiful natural trails or throughout the city.
Explore a few of our favorite places to run in Milwaukee. Or, if you want to try something new and make friends doing it, join us at Goodmiles’ Run Club! Our group of welcoming runners regularly tries new routes and has great tips for other area locations to check out.
Best Milwaukee Running Trails
Running outdoors is enjoyable year-round in Milwaukee, from sunny summer days to crisp winter mornings. Here are a few routes to try.
Short: Estabrook Park
- Length: 2.8 mile loop.
- Route: Enter at any point in the park, with a notable access point being the Oak Leaf Trail.
- Features: In addition to miles of wooded trails, Estabrook Park features an 18-hole disc golf course, dog park, and Beer Garden. Parking is available in a large lot by the Beer Garden.
Medium: Schlitz Audubon
- Length: 6 total miles, various loop lengths.
- Route: Explore Schlitz Audubon trail routes.
- Features: This nature center provides an unparalleled selection of plant life and bird watching across 185 acres. Please note that there is an admission fee and limited hours of operation.
Long: The Oak Leaf Trail
- Length: 135 miles total.
- Route: As long or short as you want! Check out these great Oak Leaf Trail routes.
- Features: With access points throughout the city, the Oak Leaf Trail is accessible for anyone to get nearly anywhere. It’s made not just for runners, but also bicyclists, roller skaters, and walkers.
Best City Running In Milwaukee
Urban running can be just as beautiful and enjoyable as trail running. Milwaukee is full of fascinating architecture and art, and you can see a great deal of it as you run by! Here are a few routes to try.
Short: Milwaukee Riverwalk
- Length: 2 miles one way.
- Route: Begin at the intersection of N Commerce St and N Humboldt Ave; end at E Clybourn Street.
- Features: This route visits three of Milwaukee’s iconic neighborhoods: the Third Ward, Downtown, and Beerline B. The full route lines the Milwaukee riverfront, providing beautiful views of the water, historic buildings, and public art, as well as a cool breeze.
Medium: Olmsted Parks Tour
- Length: 3.6 miles one way.
- Route: Begins at Lake Park and ends at Riverside Park, or vice versa; view route for the Olmsted Parks Tour.
- Features: Bookended by two of Milwaukee’s most beautiful parks, this route takes runners through a lovely and safe-for-running residential area along Newberry Boulevard.
Long: Hank Aaron State Trail
- Length: 14 miles one way
- Route: View a map of Hank Aaron State Trail access points.
- Features: This trail stretches from the lakefront to American Family Field, providing a rich blend of city and nature scenery. Several Milwaukee landmarks are viewable along the way, and some artwork has been created and placed along the trail just for users to enjoy.
Join Our Milwaukee Run Club!
No matter what route you take, running is better with friends. Goodmiles Running Company hosts two free run clubs for Milwaukee runners every week, both of which are made for all ages, paces, and levels of interest. Everyone is welcome!
At Run Club, the group will meet, warm up, and start the run together. People will then start to break off depending on their pace (walking, jogging, and running are all encouraged!), and then everyone will meet back at the Goodmiles store for stretching and a cool down. Water, snacks, stickers, good vibes, and great friends provided!
Our Greenfield Run Club hosts runs every Tuesday at 6 PM, and our Brookfield Run Club hosts runs every Thursday at 6 PM. We ask that you register online so we can get an estimated headcount. Then, all you need to do is come ready to get those good miles in!
Learn more about the benefits of run clubs and how to register today.
Goodmiles is Here for Every Route
Every route is a good one if you have the right gear and a great attitude. At Goodmiles Running Company, we guarantee that you’ll always find the very best in running shoes, apparel, and gear. Our friendly and knowledgeable time of Run Experts will help you every step of the way, from measuring your feet to analyzing your gait to recommending shoes, trails, and more. We’re here for our running buddies, and that includes you!