If you are new to trail running, or simply looking to expand the options in your current runners tool belt, the Duluth Trails Highlight articles will help on your journey to explore the many (amazing) trails Duluth has to offer.

Today’s post will feature the trail system I have ran the most since switching over to trails. It’s close-ish to work, which makes it handy for a midday stroll over lunch. The Chester Park trail system is one of my favorite in town!

I enter the park coming from downtown, right across from Burrito Union (always tempted to stop in on my way back down for lunch!). Since I’m on the topic of food and always seem to be hungry, 3rd Street Bakery is also along my route to the trails. I’m tempted to grab a Banookie or a loaf of Sourdough bread when I run by…the amazing smells that come out of that place and into the surrounding neighborhood are not fair (smart advertising)!

Because of Chester Park’s location and plenty of housing within walking distance, the trails get lots of traffic – perfect for winter running!

From there the climbing starts, which for a trails junkie like me, is instant fun 🙂 I also love having Chester Creek cutting right through the trail system, whether you’re going up or coming down the other side. Other than fall running with the leaves changing and crisp air (which always reminds me of high school cross country), spring snow-melt causing the creek to rush like crazy is my favorite time of year…soon enough my friends!

At the end of the main climb, on the other side of the parking lot and Skyline Parkway, I usually take a 30 second break to take in the view pictured below…it never gets old!

I used to just cruise right by and run hard almost every day. Since I’ve been focusing more on time vs. distance and not worrying about pace most runs, my enjoyment for running has reached new highs. Realizing that I actually could “stop and smell the roses” during my runs was a big epiphany. Even something as simple as stopping for a few seconds to take in a great view makes running that much better.

Once you make it to the top of the hill you can get a little rest and eventually connect with the cross country ski trails – be sure to follow the signage on where to run, be courteous. When the temps fall below zero, these groomed sections are incredible! After crossing the bridge, I’d recommend NOT taking the hill bypass, enjoy the extra burn and get the heart rate up with some climbing!

There are quite a few different options for routes within the park so be sure to explore as many of them as possible. However, due to time constraints most days, I typically just stick to the outer loop.

After some more climbing it definitely feels good to make it to the top of the park, where it’s all downhill after that. This is when my heart is pounding and legs are burning the most. Letting momentum take you down the hill from here is a blast!

Once you cross Skyline again (be careful, it’s a sharp/blind curve) you’re met by stairs and a crazy stretch of tree roots to hop over. After the roots I tend to relax a bit and focus more on the scenery than my footing. You can either push it hard back down to 4th Street for an adrenaline rush, or back off a bit and take it all in!