Top 9 'Sunrise-Summit' Scenic Running Routes to try for Your Most Epic Strava Photo in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
There’s a unique magic to the pre-dawn run. It’s the quiet hum of the world before it wakes, the crispness of the air that bites at your cheeks, and the solitary beam of your headlamp cutting through the darkness. It’s a commitment, a quiet promise you make to yourself. But the real reward isn’t just the miles logged; it's the moment the sky cracks open, spilling gold and crimson across the horizon from a vantage point you’ve earned with your own two feet.
This is the essence of the 'sunrise-summit' run. It’s an adventure that feeds both the legs and the soul, culminating in a breathtaking view and, let’s be honest, an absolutely epic Strava photo. Forget chasing splits for a day; in 2025, let's chase the sun. This isn't just about running; it's about creating memories that last long after the kudos have faded.
We’ve scoured the globe to find nine of the most iconic, rewarding, and photogenic sunrise-summit routes. From accessible urban peaks to legendary mountain pilgrimages, these trails offer the perfect blend of challenge and beauty. So, set your alarm for an ungodly hour, lace up your trail shoes, and get ready to add one of these legendary runs to your 2025 bucket list.
1. Lion's Head, Cape Town, South Africa
There are few places on Earth where a city, mountains, and two oceans collide as spectacularly as Cape Town. Lion's Head, the smaller cousin to the mighty Table Mountain, offers the single best 360-degree view of this entire masterpiece. A sunrise run here is a quintessential Cape Town experience, watching the city lights twinkle below as the first rays of sun kiss the Atlantic Seaboard.
The run itself is a thrilling, spiraling ascent of about 5.5 km (3.4 miles) round-trip. The path starts as a wide gravel track before narrowing into a rocky trail that corkscrews around the mountain. The final push to the summit involves some light scrambling and a series of metal ladders and chains. If that’s not your jam, a slightly longer, less technical bypass trail is available. The challenge is real, but it’s short and sharp, making it accessible to most fit runners.
The Epic Photo & Tips: The classic shot is from the summit, with the iconic, flat-topped Table Mountain serving as your backdrop. Time your run to arrive at the summit 15-20 minutes before sunrise. You’ll need a headlamp for the ascent, sturdy trail shoes, and a windbreaker, as it can get surprisingly chilly at the top. The popularity of this trail means you won’t be alone, but the shared sense of awe as the sun appears is part of the magic.
2. Roy's Peak, Wanaka, New Zealand
Let's get one thing straight: Roy's Peak is a beast. This is a run you earn, every single step of the way. The trail is a relentless, 16 km (10-mile) out-and-back grind up a wide farm track, gaining over 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) in elevation. There’s no technical difficulty, just a steep, unending series of switchbacks that will test your mental fortitude as much as your quads.
But the reward? Oh, the reward is world-class. As you climb, the view of Lake Wanaka and its surrounding snow-capped peaks, including the formidable Mount Aspiring, unfolds like a painting. The pre-dawn start is tough, but watching the alpine glow ignite the Southern Alps is a spiritual experience. You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world, because you pretty much are.
The Epic Photo & Tips: The world-famous, "most Instagrammable photo in New Zealand," is actually taken from a small promontory about 30 minutes before the true summit. There’s often a queue here, so be prepared. Our tip? Get your shot, then continue to the actual summit for an even more expansive, less crowded view. The trail is on private land and is closed for lambing from October 1st to November 10th each year. Pack water, food, and multiple layers; the weather can change in an instant.
3. Mission Peak, Fremont, California, USA
A Bay Area rite of passage, Mission Peak is famous for two things: its punishingly steep trails and its iconic summit pole. This is a no-frills, tough-as-nails run that rewards you with panoramic views stretching from San Jose to San Francisco on a clear day. Watching the sunrise burn off the morning fog that often blankets Silicon Valley below is a sight to behold.
The most common route from Stanford Avenue is a 10 km (6.2-mile) round trip with about 640 meters (2,100 feet) of climbing. The trail is wide and exposed, so a pre-dawn start is perfect for beating the infamous California sun. Don't underestimate the grade; it’s a sustained climb that will have your calves screaming, but the footing is generally non-technical.
The Epic Photo & Tips: The money shot is, without a doubt, a victory pose on or beside the famous summit pole, designed by a park ranger in 1990. To get a unique angle, try a low-angle shot looking up at the pole with the sunrise flaring behind it. Parking at the Stanford Avenue lot is notoriously difficult, so arriving well before dawn is your best bet. Bring plenty of water, even on a cool morning.
4. Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland
How many capital cities have an extinct volcano right in their center? Arthur's Seat gives Edinburgh a rugged, wild heart, and a sunrise run to its 251-meter summit is the best way to greet the day in Scotland. It’s a surprisingly strenuous and rocky scramble that makes you forget you’re just a stone's throw from the bustling Royal Mile.
There are multiple paths to the top, but for a runner’s challenge, take the steep, direct path that climbs the grassy slope from the east. It's a lung-busting effort over a short distance, making it the perfect micro-adventure. From the summit, you’re rewarded with an unparalleled view of Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town, the North Sea, and the rolling hills of the Lothians.
The Epic Photo & Tips: The summit can be windy, so a low-crouched, dramatic silhouette against the rising sun and the city skyline is a powerful shot. For a different perspective, capture the ancient volcanic rock formations in your foreground. This is an all-season run, but be cautious on wet days as the rocks can be slippery. It’s the most accessible run on our list, requiring minimal gear beyond a good pair of shoes and a sense of adventure.
5. Broga Hill, Semenyih, Malaysia
A beloved local favorite just outside Kuala Lumpur, Broga Hill (or 'Bukit Broga') is the perfect introduction to tropical trail running. Known for its unique, treeless landscape covered in tall lalang grass, the hill features three distinct peaks, each offering a progressively better view of the sunrise over the distant Titiwangsa mountain range.
The run to the first peak is short but intense—a steep, often muddy, and root-filled climb of about 400 meters. The humidity is a major factor, so starting in the pre-dawn cool is essential. The path is well-trodden but can be challenging after rain. Pushing on to the second and third peaks is well worth the extra effort for the best views and fewer crowds.
The Epic Photo & Tips: The best photos are taken from the third peak, looking back over the other two crests as the sun rises. The golden light on the tall grass is stunning. A headlamp is non-negotiable for the dark, technical climb. Wear shoes with excellent grip for the mud. Many locals run this in simple trainers, but as Goh Ling Yong often advises, the right gear makes any adventure safer and more enjoyable.
6. Mount Fuji (Subashiri Trail), Japan
This is the boss level. The ultimate pilgrimage for any runner or hiker. Summiting Mount Fuji for the sunrise (goraiko) is a bucket-list experience that transcends sport. While most climbers take the crowded Yoshida Trail, the Subashiri Trail offers a more serene and arguably more beautiful ascent for the adventurous runner.
The Subashiri trail starts lower and winds through a beautiful forest before emerging above the treeline. It's known for its thrilling "sand run" (sunabashiri) on the descent—a straight path of loose volcanic gravel you can bound down in a fraction of the time it took to climb. The run is a serious undertaking, requiring proper acclimatization to the 3,776-meter (12,388-foot) altitude.
The Epic Photo & Tips: The goal is to time your final push to the crater rim just as the sun breaks through the sea of clouds below. The photo of you, silhouetted against the "Sea of Clouds" with the sun cresting the horizon, is the ultimate prize. The official climbing season is from early July to early September. Do not attempt this outside this window. Plan meticulously, respect the altitude, and pack for all weather conditions, including freezing temperatures at the summit.
7. The Manitou Incline, Colorado, USA
Not a traditional summit, but an iconic Strava segment that’s arguably one of the toughest pound-for-pound running challenges in the world. The Manitou Incline is the remnant of a former funicular railway, consisting of roughly 2,744 steps climbing over 610 meters (2,000 feet) in less than 1.6 km (1 mile). It’s a pure, brutal test of physical and mental endurance.
Starting in the dark, with only your headlamp illuminating the endless staircase rising before you, is a humbling experience. There’s no easing into it; it's a full-on quad-burner from the very first step. The reward is a glorious sunrise view over Colorado Springs and the Great Plains, and a profound sense of accomplishment.
The Epic Photo & Tips: The classic photo is taken from the top, looking back down the impossibly steep line of the Incline. A time-lapse of the sunrise from here is spectacular. You must make a free online reservation to climb. The descent is made via the much gentler, 4-mile Barr Trail. Do not attempt to run down the Incline itself. This is a high-altitude effort, so stay hydrated and listen to your body.
8. Mount Kosciuszko, New South Wales, Australia
Running to the top of a continent's highest peak sounds intimidating, but Mount Kosciuszko is a wonderfully accessible and beautiful trail run. The journey takes you through a unique and fragile alpine ecosystem, a landscape of rolling hills, granite tors, and colorful summer wildflowers that you won't find anywhere else in Australia.
The most popular route is the 18.6 km (11.5-mile) out-and-back from Charlotte Pass. The trail is a well-maintained service road for the first section before turning into a pristine single track. The gradients are gentle, making it a very runnable route for its entire length. The sense of space and exposure above the treeline is immense, and a sunrise here feels like you’re on the rooftop of Australia.
The Epic Photo & Tips: The shot at the stone summit marker is a must, but the best photos capture the scale of the Main Range, with the trail winding through the vast, empty landscape. The best time to run is during the Australian summer (December to February). Even then, the weather is notoriously unpredictable, so pack a rain jacket, thermals, and a beanie.
9. Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Norway
This is a run to the edge of the world. Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, is one of Norway’s most famous landmarks—a massive, flat-topped cliff that juts out 604 meters (1,982 feet) directly above the stunning Lysefjord. A sunrise run here, before the crowds arrive, is an unforgettable, heart-in-your-mouth experience.
The 8 km (5-mile) round-trip trail has been recently upgraded by Nepalese Sherpas, making it a well-laid stone path, but it's still a challenging run with several steep sections. You’ll run through birch forests and across bare rock plateaus before the trail opens up and you get your first staggering view of the fjord and the rock itself.
The Epic Photo & Tips: The ultimate photo is taken on the flat top of the rock, showing the sheer scale and the dizzying drop to the fjord below. For a safer but equally epic shot, have a friend take a photo of you on Pulpit Rock from the higher trail behind it. The best time to go is May-September. A headlamp is crucial, and good-gripping shoes are a must, as the rock can be slick with morning dew.
Running is about more than just logging miles; it’s about the stories you collect and the places your feet can take you. Each of these sunrise-summit routes offers a unique challenge and an even better reward—a moment of peace, a stunning view, and a reminder of what you’re capable of before most of the world has even had its first cup of coffee.
Here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that the greatest adventures often begin with the earliest alarms. So, as you plan your goals for 2025, think bigger than just a new personal best. Think about a new perspective.
Now it's your turn. Which sunrise-summit run is calling your name for 2025? Share your running bucket list in the comments below
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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