If you’re like me, you’re constantly searching for new locations to run. While your regular, frequent running routes may be convenient and close to home, they can become boring and consistent. It’s great to switch up your regular running routine in order to challenge your body and experience new scenery! However, finding a new route within a different town or city may cause unneeded stress and anxiety. Where do you park? Will I get lost? Is it safe to run alone? If there enough room to run on the street? These are all questions that swarm my head while searching for new routes. Therefore, if any adventurous runners are looking to travel to the small town of Middlebury, Connecticut, this article is for you!

This article lists three of my favorite routes to run in Middlebury that all safe, paved, and avoid high traffic areas. Fill up your water bottle, bring a friend (two-legged or four-legged), and drive to my home town for a new running experience!

1. Lake Elise

The entrance of Lake Elise is located on Long Meadow Road in Middlebury, across from both a park and cemetery. There is plenty of space to parallel park along the street within a short distance of the lake. Lake Elise is a beautiful place protected by the Middlebury Land Trust. The lake’s circumference, which is just short of a mile, is completely surrounded by a dirt path. The path is flat but does have some rough terrain, so I would categorize this route as moderately challenging.

I love this route because of the beautiful scenery, completely shaded path, and accurate distance. I’ll either incorporate the loop within one of my longer runs to take a break from the sun or complete a speed workout by timing my average mile pace. However, I do recommend only running here during the late fall, winter, or early spring. During the summer, the path becomes overgrown and is mostly blocked by plants and trees.

2. Pomperuag High School Track

Although technically in Southbury, Connecticut, Pomperaug High school is right over the Middlebury line, located at 234 Judd Road. Pomperuag High School is home to a newly renovated track that is open to the public. In the summer, the gate stays open and anyone is free to park to use the facility. The track has so many running opportunities and obstacles for runners of all levels! It makes it easy to track your mileage, complete speed works, and incorporate short sprints.

When I work out at Pomperaug, I like to perform circuit workouts with two of my friends who are both incredible college soccer players. We use the track, stadium, hills, goals, tires, and cones completely to our advantage. We all take turns creating different, challenging circuits to perform that leave us feeling stronger after every workout. The Pomperaug High School Track is a great place to bring friends and train in a new way!

3. The Middlebury Greenway

The Middlebury Greenway is the absolute best, safest place to run in Middlebury. The paved path has been converted from an old trolley bed that stretches for a straight, six miles throughout the small town. The path starts at the restaurant Maggie McFly’s and ends at the Quassy Baseball Field. Along the path are stone markers that track your distance. There are multiple spots all along the path to park as well as multiple routes to take. If you’re up for a challenging uphill course, start at the restaurant and make your way uphill to the baseball field. If you’re looking for a less challenging course, run the route in the opposite direction.

The path is very wide and meant for friends, dogs, and strollers. It is widely populated with friendly runners, walkers, and bikers. It’s the best place to run in Middlebury, and I would definitely recommend the route to any runner in the area!