Where to run in Milan: the best routes through parks and canals
The best places to run in Milan, from the city's big parks to the Naviglio Martesana canal path, with indicative distances and practical tips for every type of run.
Written by the editorial team at Velunite
Running in Milan often means dodging traffic lights, traffic and crowded sidewalks, but the city has more green corners and pleasant routes than it might seem to those who only experience it for work. Here's where to go depending on the kind of run you're after.
Parco Sempione and the city-center gardens
Parco Sempione, behind Castello Sforzesco, is probably the most convenient starting point for anyone living or working downtown: a loop of roughly 2 km around the park, easily extended by linking up with the nearby Indro Montanelli Public Gardens. The surface is a mix of asphalt and packed dirt, manageable even after rain, and evening lighting is good across most of the park.
The Naviglio Martesana toward the northeast
For a longer, more linear route, the cycle-pedestrian path along the Naviglio Martesana canal lets you run for several kilometers on nearly flat ground, with the freedom to turn back whenever you like. It's one of Milan runners' favorite spots for weekend long runs, thanks to scenery that gradually shifts from urban to the greener northeastern outskirts.
Parco Nord Milano: the biggest green lung
Just beyond the city boundary, toward Bresso and Sesto San Giovanni, Parco Nord Milano offers dozens of kilometers of trails through woods and meadows, ideal for anyone who wants to truly get away from traffic and find a more natural surface. It's reachable by metro (line M5, Bignami or Comasina stop) and is a favorite for marathon-training long runs, partly thanks to the gentle elevation some sections offer.
CityLife and the Isola district: stylish urban running
For those who prefer staying in the city but want a more modern setting, the CityLife area with its large park and the skyscrapers of the Isola district with the Biblioteca degli Alberi gardens offer short but pleasant routes, well-populated and lit even in the evening — convenient for anyone training after work.
Practical tips for running in Milan
In the hotter months, avoid the midday hours on downtown asphalt, where heat builds up between buildings: parks and canal paths stay cooler. In winter, with fog or frost, the dirt trails in Parco Nord can get slippery, so shoes with a bit of grip help on damp ground. For longer runs along the canals, bring a few euros to stop at a bar along the way: public drinking fountains aren't always available for the entire route.
Recommended products
For the mixed surfaces of Sempione and Parco Nord, a pair of versatile road running shoes covers asphalt and packed dirt with no need for two pairs.
Evening runners in the gardens or along the Naviglio should wear a high-visibility running vest, light and effectively mandatory in traffic.
For the dark stretches of the Martesana, a lightweight running headlamp is the difference between relaxed running and watching your feet.
Phone, keys and gels sit comfortably in a running phone belt, with no annoying bounce on weekend long runs.
To measure park loops and long-run progress, an entry-level GPS running watch is more than enough.
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