Top 13 'Ruin-to-Greenway' Running Routes to do for a Post-Industrial Adventure in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
There’s a special kind of magic in running a path that tells a story. Forget pristine, manicured park loops for a moment. Instead, picture this: your running shoes pounding on a trail where freight trains once thundered, your breath misting in the shadow of a colossal blast furnace now silent and draped in ivy. This is the world of the 'ruin-to-greenway'—a gritty, beautiful, and utterly compelling blend of history, nature, and urban renewal.
These are not just running routes; they are post-industrial adventures. They are the reclaimed arteries of our cities, where the ghosts of industry have made way for green shoots and public life. From abandoned railway viaducts transformed into elevated gardens to former coal plants reborn as sprawling public parks, these spaces offer a running experience unlike any other. They connect us to our city's past while pointing toward a greener, more innovative future.
So, if you're tired of the same old routes and are craving an adventure that engages your mind as much as your body, you've come to the right place. For 2025, we've compiled the ultimate list of 13 ruin-to-greenway trails from around the globe. Lace up your shoes—it's time to run through history.
1. The High Line, New York City, USA
The Original Icon of Elevated Renewal
Before it was a world-famous tourist destination, the High Line was a derelict, weed-choked elevated freight rail line on Manhattan's West Side. Built in the 1930s to lift dangerous freight trains off the city streets, it was abandoned by 1980 and faced demolition. It was a rusty, forgotten skeleton looming over the Meatpacking District.
Today, the High Line is a 1.45-mile-long masterpiece of landscape architecture. It’s a linear park where meticulously curated gardens and wild-looking grasses weave between the old railway tracks. Running here is a sensory experience, taking you past incredible architecture, striking public art installations, and unique vantage points of the Hudson River and the city streets below.
- Runner's Tip: The High Line gets incredibly crowded, especially on weekends. For an uninterrupted run, go early on a weekday morning, just as the sun is rising over the city. The path is narrow, so it’s more suited for a steady-paced, scenic jog than an all-out sprint.
2. Promenade Plantée (Coulée Verte), Paris, France
The Parisian Pioneer That Inspired the World
Long before New York had its High Line, Paris had the Promenade Plantée. Opened in 1993, this is the original elevated railway park that started the global trend. Built on the abandoned Vincennes railway line, this 2.9-mile (4.7 km) greenway offers a completely different vibe from its American successor.
The run here feels less like a curated art exhibit and more like a secret garden path through the city. The trail takes you through lush, tree-lined corridors, over viaducts housing artisan shops (the Viaduc des Arts), and through tunnels, eventually descending to street level. It’s a beautifully varied route that showcases a quieter, more romantic side of Parisian urban renewal.
- Runner's Tip: Start your run near the Bastille and follow the path eastward. The elevated portion is perfect for a gentle warm-up, after which the trail widens, allowing you to pick up the pace as you head towards the Bois de Vincennes, a massive public park perfect for extending your run.
3. Landschaftspark, Duisburg-Nord, Germany
Running Through an Industrial Cathedral
This is, without a doubt, one of the most breathtaking post-industrial landscapes on Earth. Landschaftspark isn't just a park with a few old factory parts; it's a former coal and steel production plant that you can fully explore. The massive, rusting blast furnaces, ore bunkers, and gasometers have been preserved and integrated into a sprawling 440-acre park.
Running here feels like exploring the set of a dystopian sci-fi film. You can follow trails that wind around colossal machinery, run through the concrete canyons of the old coal bunkers, and even climb to the top of a blast furnace for a panoramic view of the Ruhr region. At night, the entire complex is illuminated by a stunning light installation, making for a truly unforgettable evening run.
- Runner's Tip: The park is a maze of trails. Don't be afraid to get lost and explore the "lower level" paths that take you right alongside the industrial behemoths. The terrain is a mix of paved paths and gravel, so trail shoes can be a good choice for better grip.
4. The Rail Corridor, Singapore
A Cross-Island Jungle Trek
This one is special. The Rail Corridor is a 24-kilometer "green spine" that stretches almost the entire length of Singapore. It follows the path of a former railway line owned by Malaysia that was returned to Singapore in 2011. For years, it was a semi-wild, almost forgotten trail, a secret known only to locals.
Now, it has been thoughtfully enhanced and preserved, offering a continuous trail through lush forests, past colonial-era railway bridges, and alongside vibrant neighborhoods. Running here is an escape from the polished, ultra-modern city. It’s humid, wild, and beautifully green, offering a glimpse into what Singapore looked like before its massive development. As a runner with roots here, this is a route I, Goh Ling Yong, hold close to my heart for its raw, natural beauty.
- Runner's Tip: The trail is mostly flat and composed of gravel or compacted earth. For a scenic 10K, start near the historic Bukit Timah Railway Station and run south towards the impressive Wessex Estate, known for its black-and-white colonial houses. Remember to bring plenty of water—the Singaporean humidity is no joke!
5. The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail), Chicago, USA
A Community Connector in the Sky
While often compared to the High Line, Chicago's 606 has a distinct personality. This 2.7-mile elevated park was built on a former industrial rail line and is less about tourism and more about community. It connects four diverse neighborhoods—Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square—acting as a vibrant artery for locals.
The trail itself is a wide, paved path perfect for a solid run, with a soft, rubberized running track alongside parts of it. It’s lined with art installations, an observatory, and event plazas, making it a lively and engaging route. You'll run past classic Chicago three-flats and get a unique, elevated perspective on the city's charming residential architecture.
- Runner's Tip: The 606 is a commuter route for cyclists, so stay to the right. Use one of the 17 access points to hop off the trail and explore the great coffee shops or restaurants in the neighborhoods it connects.
6. Atlanta BeltLine, Atlanta, USA
The Ambitious Urban Loop
The Atlanta BeltLine is one of the most ambitious urban redevelopment projects in the United States. It's a massive, ongoing effort to transform a 22-mile loop of historic, mostly abandoned railway corridors into a network of multi-use trails, modern streetcar transit, and public parks.
While the full loop isn't complete, several sections are open and immensely popular. The Eastside Trail is the most established, connecting Piedmont Park to Reynoldstown. Running here takes you past incredible street art, bustling food halls like Ponce City Market (in a former Sears, Roebuck & Co. building), and a skate park, all with the Atlanta skyline as your backdrop.
- Runner's Tip: The Eastside Trail can get very busy. For a longer, quieter run, check out the Westside Trail. It offers a different perspective of the city and tends to be less congested, making it great for focused training runs.
7. Parque Fundidora, Monterrey, Mexico
From Molten Steel to Urban Oasis
Once the heart of Mexico's steel industry, the Fundidora Iron and Steel Works operated for over 80 years before closing in 1986. Instead of demolishing this industrial giant, the city transformed it into the magnificent Parque Fundidora, a 350-acre urban park.
The park brilliantly preserves the site's industrial heritage. You'll run on wide, paved paths that snake around colossal blast furnaces, old chimneys, and other machinery, which now serve as monumental sculptures. The park also houses museums, an arts center, and an arena, making it a cultural hub. It’s a powerful testament to Monterrey's industrial past and its forward-thinking vision.
- Runner's Tip: The park is almost entirely flat, making it perfect for speed workouts or long, steady-state runs. A full loop around the park's main perimeter is roughly 3.5K. Go for an early morning run to beat the Mexican heat and see the industrial structures bathed in the soft morning light.
8. Westergas, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Industrial Grit Meets Dutch Design
On the west side of Amsterdam lies Westergas, a former 19th-century gasworks that once powered the city's streetlights. After it was decommissioned, the heavily polluted site was meticulously cleaned up and reborn as a vibrant cultural park that seamlessly blends industrial architecture with lush green space.
Running here is a delight. Paved paths wind through open fields, alongside canals, and past the beautifully restored red-brick industrial buildings, which now house cafes, a cinema, art galleries, and event venues. It’s a place where you can do a 5K run and finish with a craft beer or a coffee at one of the trendy spots right on the premises.
- Runner's Tip: Combine your run at Westergas with a longer route through the adjacent Westerpark. This allows you to mix the post-industrial scenery with more traditional park landscapes for a well-rounded running experience.
9. The Goods Line, Sydney, Australia
A Sleek Connector in the Heart of the City
Inspired by the High Line, Sydney's Goods Line is a shorter but brilliantly executed transformation of a disused freight railway. This half-kilometer-long elevated park connects Railway Square to Darling Harbour, creating a vital pedestrian and cycling link through a once-disjointed part of the city.
The design is modern and sleek, featuring social spaces with ping-pong tables, study pods, and an amphitheater. While too short for a long-distance run on its own, it’s a fantastic start or end point. The path takes you past the Frank Gehry-designed Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building and offers a unique, green corridor through a dense urban environment.
- Runner's Tip: Use The Goods Line as a warm-up route. Start at Central Station, run the length of The Goods Line, and then continue your run around the beautiful waterfront paths of Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay for a scenic 5K or 10K.
10. Cheonggyecheon Stream, Seoul, South Korea
Uncovering a River, Creating an Oasis
This is a story of incredible urban reversal. For decades, the Cheonggyecheon stream, which runs through downtown Seoul, was buried under a massive, elevated highway—a symbol of the country's rapid, industry-focused modernization. In 2003, in a bold move, the city tore down the highway to restore the stream below.
The result is a stunning 10.9-kilometer-long urban sanctuary. A beautiful, clean stream now flows between stone-lined banks, with walking and running paths on either side, several feet below street level. Running here feels like you've entered another world, with the sound of traffic replaced by the gentle gurgle of water. It's an inspiring example of prioritizing green space over concrete infrastructure.
- Runner's Tip: The path is well-lit and popular for evening runs, when the streamside is cooler and beautifully illuminated. The full length offers a great out-and-back half-marathon challenge right through the heart of one of the world's busiest cities.
11. Gas Works Park, Seattle, USA
Industrial Relics on the Waterfront
Overlooking Lake Union with a picture-perfect view of the Seattle skyline, Gas Works Park is one of the most unique parks in the world. It’s built on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant, and instead of clearing the site, the designers left large parts of the plant's rusting machinery intact.
These "ruins" now form a sort of industrial sculpture garden. You can run on grassy hills and paths that weave around the massive, colorful towers and pipes of the old plant. It's a relatively small park, but its steep kite-flying hill provides a great opportunity for some challenging hill repeats with a truly one-of-a-kind backdrop.
- Runner's Tip: Gas Works Park is a key point on the Burke-Gilman Trail, a 27-mile rail-trail. Incorporate the park into a longer run along the trail for a route that combines industrial history with beautiful lakeside scenery.
12. Parc de la Villette, Paris, France
From Blood and Guts to Culture and Greenery
Located in the 19th arrondissement, the Parc de la Villette was once the site of Paris's main abattoirs (slaughterhouses) and the national wholesale meat market. The area was a gritty, industrial hub until it was shut down in 1974. Its redevelopment created one of the city's largest and most dynamic parks.
The park's design is decidedly modern and deconstructionist, with a network of paths perfect for running. It retains some of the old industrial structures, like the massive Grande Halle—the former cattle market—which is now an exhibition space. Your run will take you past thematic gardens, futuristic red "folies" (architectural follies), and along the Canal de l'Ourcq.
- Runner's Tip: The park is huge and relatively flat, making it great for long, uninterrupted runs. It's also less crowded than the central Paris parks, giving you more space to find your rhythm.
13. The Greenway (Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway), Boston, USA
Burying a Highway to Build a Park
This ruin-to-greenway story is a bit different. The "ruin" here was not a charming 19th-century railway but a monstrous, elevated six-lane highway known as the Central Artery. It cut a brutalist concrete scar through the heart of Boston for decades. In one of the most complex engineering feats in US history (the "Big Dig"), the highway was moved into a tunnel underground.
In its place, the city created The Greenway, a 1.5-mile-long ribbon of beautiful parks and gardens. It reconnected iconic neighborhoods like the North End and the Waterfront to downtown. Running on its winding paths, you'll pass by fountains, public art, food trucks, and a carousel, all on the very land where a noisy, polluting highway once stood. It’s a victory lap for smart urban planning.
- Runner's Tip: A run along The Greenway can be easily connected to a longer route along Boston's scenic waterfront. The relatively short length of the park itself makes it ideal for a recovery run or a scenic jog combined with exploring the historic city.
Your Next Adventure Awaits
Running on these trails is more than just exercise; it's a way to connect with the soul of a city. These ruin-to-greenway projects prove that our industrial past doesn't have to be erased. It can be reimagined, creating spaces that are rich with history, teeming with nature, and full of life. They are powerful symbols of resilience and transformation.
Now, it's your turn. Whether you're planning a trip or looking for inspiration closer to home, seek out these post-industrial playgrounds. You might be surprised to find a piece of reclaimed history waiting for you right around the corner.
What are your favorite ruin-to-greenway running routes? Have you run any of the ones on this list? Share your stories and suggestions in the comments below—I'm always looking for my next running adventure
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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