Best Park for Outdoor Running?

[Diomedes]

Hi all!

I'm an avid runner from New York, moving to Taipei in about a week.

New York City is known for its amazing running culture. All of us type-A personalities need to blow off steam and there's no better places to do it than Central Park and Prospect Park, which have loops in them that vary from 1.3 miles - 6 miles.

Is there a similar park in Taiwan? I've been reading these forums and I see a lot of info on various gyms, but no info on outdoor running options. I've also looked on Google Maps and it seems like the long park by the river would be the best for running between 5-8 miles at a time. Am I correct?

Please let me know, because it will have an effect on what area I look for an apartment.

Thanks again!
Russell D.

[Mucha Man]

Anywhere near the major rivers is partof a connected park system. There are about 300km of bike/walking/jogging lanes.

[teggs]

If you're in the city, Da'an Park is a nice green oasis to get your running fix. There are also plenty of good hiking trails within 30 minutes of almost anywhere in Taipei and IMHO the mountains are the best part of Taiwan.

[*monkey*]

Anywhere near the major rivers is partof a connected park system. There are about 300km of bike/walking/jogging lanes.

Running on those bike lanes. What a great topic for conversation. I can't remember how many times jackass dog owners have almost tripped me up with their dog leashes. Then there are the children on bikes who just can't ride in a straight line (scootards-in-training?). What about the fat people who like to walk 2 or 3 abreast on the bike paths, refusing to let anyone pass (why do they do that?). Running on those bike lanes you will meet more selfish pricks than anywhere else on the planet.

What other fun things can a runner expect? Giant clouds of mosquitos along the river in summertime. Dog foulings, water puddles, rocks, bottles and other things hidden in the grass the moment you have to detour around the dogs and fat people.

Most Taiwanese people "exercise" in parks by walking briskly in circles and flapping their arms like a demented dodo. They think runners are weird.

[Incubus]

I second Da'an park, Taipei's version of Central Park. The track is soft and shaded. This was discussed a while ago:
http://www.forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopi ... 4&t=109386

[Mucha Man]

Anywhere near the major rivers is partof a connected park system. There are about 300km of bike/walking/jogging lanes.

Running on those bike lanes. What a great topic for conversation. I can't remember how many times jackass dog owners have almost tripped me up with their dog leashes. Then there are the children on bikes who just can't ride in a straight line (scootards-in-training?). What about the fat people who like to walk 2 or 3 abreast on the bike paths, refusing to let anyone pass (why do they do that?). Running on those bike lanes you will meet more selfish pricks than anywhere else on the planet.

What other fun things can a runner expect? Giant clouds of mosquitos along the river in summertime. Dog foulings, water puddles, rocks, bottles and other things hidden in the grass the moment you have to detour around the dogs and fat people.

Most Taiwanese people "exercise" in parks by walking briskly in circles and flapping their arms like a demented dodo. They think runners are weird.

I ran for 7 years on the bike lanes in Muzha, and regularly ride and walk on the ones around Xindian and other areas. Encountered a few dogs in my way, but otherwise nothing like you encountered. But then I don't go out when I know the paths will be crawling with people. It's super easy to find the right time.

Anyway, a good area for jogging is around the Muzha Zoo and then follow the paths to Zhenda University and run along the ring road (no cars allowed) that takes you up into the mountains.

Another good area is Bitan. Can do a great loop as both sides of the river have lanes, and also head up the hiking paths across the suspension bridge for a stair workout.

[Belgian Pie]

What about the fat people who like to walk 2 or 3 abreast on the bike paths, refusing to let anyone pass (why do they do that?). Running on those bike lanes you will meet more selfish pricks than anywhere else on the planet.

It's because you're in Taiwan, it's a cultural thing ... once you fixed your spot you keep it, any way ...

[Taiwan Luthiers]

If you are around Tianmu area, there is a bike trail running along a river starting at Yangde blvd. (at the foot of Yangming Shan) that extends about 4-5km and going right into Kelung river, and the path continues. I prefer these parks because there are relatively little traffic and NO scooters except for the maintenance workers (scooters aren't allowed there).

Avoid Danshui riverwalk at all cost, it's usually very crowded especially from Danshui MRT and onward (old street area) and with a lot of trucks and scooters supplying the various businesses. Things are better between Danshui MRT and zhuwei MRT and there's some long bike paths that are significantly less crowded, and also when you pass the post office on the Danshui riverwalk the traffic is also significantly reduced until you get to Fisherman's Wharf.

[Baas Babelaas]

What about the fat people who like to walk 2 or 3 abreast on the bike paths, refusing to let anyone pass

I belt out "jie guo yi xia" or "rang yi xia" when people walk side by side on paths and sidewalks. They move quick enough, usually without turning to see who said it. They move double fast when they see a large foreigner on a large mountain bike bearing down on them at speed.

[Mucha Man]

What about the fat people who like to walk 2 or 3 abreast on the bike paths, refusing to let anyone pass

I belt out "jie guo yi xia" or "rang yi xia" when people walk side by side on paths and sidewalks. They move quick enough, usually without turning to see who said it. They move double fast when they see a large foreigner on a large mountain bike bearing down on them at speed.

Yeah that works. Also in case peole don't know the lanes clearly say pedestrians have right of way. In any case many of the more crowded sections have been expanded or have clear walker/biker lanes. And come on people, it rains 200 days a year in Taipei and on those day the lanes are mostly empty.