Best Running Routes in Metro-Detroit

If you're a runner, you probably already know that strength training and running make a pretty damn good combination.

You don't need to give up your miles because you're strength training. In fact, getting stronger can be a huge part of becoming a more well-rounded runner.

So if you're doing your Core (LP) classes a few days a week and looking for somewhere to get your miles in on the days between, here are a few of the routes I'd recommend around our Berkley and Rochester Hills studios.

Not every run needs to be a training run. Sometimes you just need somewhere pretty to go run.

Paint Creek Trail

If you're in Rochester Hills, start here.

The Paint Creek Trail runs 8.9 miles between Rochester and Lake Orion and is mostly crushed limestone, with wooded sections, creek views, and plenty of shade. You can access it from several points, including the trailhead near Tienken Road, or start down by Rochester Municipal Park.

Why we'd recommend it: You can make this whatever run you need that day. It's also a nice change from running on pavement, especially if you're someone who already gets plenty of miles on the road. And if you're looking for a particularly pretty fall run, this is one I'd put on the list.

Rochester Riverwalk + Paint Creek

This is a great option when you want a shorter, more scenic run without committing to a long trail.

The Rochester Riverwalk runs through the heart of Rochester along Paint Creek and connects the Paint Creek Trail with the Clinton River Trail. The Riverwalk itself is about 1.8 miles, so you can use it for a shorter out-and-back or combine it with the surrounding trails to build more mileage.

Why we'd recommend it: It's an easy way to get outside and get some miles without having to plan an elaborate route. You can park around Rochester Municipal Park, head out along the Riverwalk, and decide how far you want to go once you're moving. And let's be honest: sometimes that's exactly what you need.

Clinton River Trail

If you're looking for mileage, this is your trail.

The Clinton River Trail stretches roughly 16 miles through Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Pontiac and Sylvan Lake. It's a former rail corridor, so much of it is relatively flat, and it connects with the Paint Creek Trail and other regional routes.

Why we'd recommend it: It's one of the best options when you don't want to constantly be thinking about where you're going to turn around. You can make it a short out-and-back or keep going and turn your run into a much longer day. The scenery also changes as you move through the different sections, from wooded areas and river views to more developed parts of the trail. One thing to know: the surface varies by section, so don't assume the entire trail is going to feel like a perfectly paved running path.

Rochester Municipal Park

Sometimes you don't need nine miles.

Sometimes you need to get out the door, run a few miles and go home.

Rochester Municipal Park has paved paths around the park and direct access to the Paint Creek Trail and Riverwalk, making it a really easy place to start a run without having to overthink it.

Why we'd recommend it: This is a good choice for an easy recovery run, a shorter weekday run, or those days when your legs are already feeling your Core (LP) classes or privates. You can keep it short or connect into the larger trail system if you're feeling good. And there are plenty of places nearby to grab food or coffee afterward, which is always a plus. (We highly recommend something with protein and carbs!)

Quarton Lake + Birmingham

If you're closer to Berkley, head toward Birmingham.

The Quarton Lake area gives you a scenic paved loop around the lake, and you can extend your run through the surrounding Birmingham neighborhoods and park system. A commonly mapped Birmingham route around Quarton Lake comes in around 4.8 miles.

Why we'd recommend it: This is less of a “trail run” and more of a good neighborhood run. You get the lake, quiet residential streets, and some variety without having to drive 30 minutes to find a trail. It's a good option when you want a four- or five-mile run that feels like you're actually going somewhere instead of staring at the same stretch of sidewalk for 45 minutes.

Royal Oak Neighborhood Run

One of the things I love about running around Berkley and Royal Oak is that you don't necessarily need a formal trail.

There are tons of residential streets, neighborhood parks, and little pockets of green space that you can string together into your own route.

There are even mapped running loops starting in Berkley that come in around three miles, as well as longer routes through Royal Oak and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Why we'd recommend it: This is the run for when you don't want to drive anywhere. Put on your shoes and leave your front door. You can make a three-mile loop. You can make it five. You can decide halfway through that you want to run another mile. And honestly, that's sometimes the easiest way to stay consistent.

Tenhave Woods

Okay, this one is not your typical running route.

Tenhave Woods in Royal Oak is a small wooded nature preserve with natural-surface trails tucked inside Quickstad Park. It's not where I'd send you for a 10-mile training run, but it is a fun place to get off the pavement for a short outing.

Why we'd recommend it: Variety. If you spend most of your week running on pavement, a short run or walk through a wooded trail gives you something different. Just know that this is a natural-surface trail, not a groomed running path, and conditions can get muddy after rain.

So where should you run?

As someone who found Pilates-inspired strength training while training for a half marathon, I know firsthand how important it is to strengthen your legs and deep core muscles while staying low impact.

You definitely don't have to give up the miles. In fact, I think running and Pilates-inspired strength training make a pretty damn good pair.

You get to keep doing the thing you love while building the strength and control that can help support it.

So whether you're training for your next race, getting back into running, or just looking for a new place to get a few miles in, hopefully you found a route worth adding to your list.

Now lace up, pick a route, and go run. Want help building a plan with coaches who run and understand how to balance strength training with your miles? Book a free consultation with Core (LP) and let's figure out what makes sense for you.