A good trail run can't be replicated by darting through city streets or hoofing it on the hamster wheel. The crunch of earth underfoot, the quiet of the air overhead…you get the picture.
Finding your happy place takes some advance scouting. Search online for options near you and tap into the tight-knit trail running community by asking around at running events and your local running/outdoor store. In addition, runner-friendly social networks like
Strava allow you to post, follow, and get insights from like-minded locals.
Trail finders like the
AllTrails app and the American Hiking Society's
"Hikes Near You" search feature can also help. Just know that while many hiking trails double as running trails, not all are created equal and a modest hike can easily translate into a difficult run.