Howdy, all. I'm coming back to BCS for the summer and am a runner. I've been asking friends over on Facebook about local trails, parks, etc. and am hearing there aren't long trails. Can any local runners point me to parks, lakes, etc that would have either a paved or tightly packed unpaved (not rocky trail running) trail that would give me an out and back or single loop of a minimum of five miles, preferably 10? I would prefer to not run in neighborhoods, but it's not sounding hopeful? I don't mind driving a few miles out of the area for a good long run trail since I don't run 5-10 miles every day.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. I had not returned to running when I lived there so I never explored any of that.

Best bets will be the levee of Lake Bryan or the main trail at Lick Creek Park. It will cost you $5 to access the lake.

Lake Bryan has two sides - East and West. An out and back on both sides will be 7 miles (4 miles on the West side and 3 miles on the East side). The surface is packed gravel.

The main trail at Lick Creek Park is crushed brick/granite and an out and back will be around 3.5 miles. But the other trails out there are very easy and you could get in around 6 or 7 miles per loop.

We get runners and cyclists out in Wellborn. It's not a "neighborhood", and the speed limits are higher than what I would like if I ran, but they are out there.

Thanks to both of you--and I welcome more. Wellborn could make for some better long running for sure.

I wondered about Lake Bryan and if the trails worked for runners. I am disappointed to learn it costs money to get in. That's a new one to me. But thanks for the heads up. The park sounds like the best bet for off road runs. My daily runs are only between 3-6, but two weeks after I arrive I fly out for a half marathon (my first!) so that first week will be a lot of running.

I appreciate the tips and welcome any others.

The trails at Lake Bryan are fine for runners. I've run out there a lot over the last 10 years or so. Even created and directed a 50K and 60K out there. You can get in about 20 miles or so per loop if you use both sides of the lake. The only downside is that you have to pay. If you plan on going out there a lot, it's cheaper to buy an annual pass (~$70).

If you don't mind running on the road, then there a lot of options. One of my favorites is to park at Lick Creek Park and then run down Rock Prairie. It's a two lane road but doesn't have a ton of traffic. Plus, you can incorporate the trails into your run. Or start at the park and run the main trail to the back side of Pebble Creek and then run the roads in there.

Check with Brazos Running Company and see if they have created some routes.

I was hoping to avoid neighborhoods because I remember the traffic! But that sounds like a good idea with Lick Creek and Rock Prairie. Also, yes, I will definitely check with Brazos Running Company. Thanks so much for all this. It helps me at least get some plans. I plan to pull in on a Sunday night and get running the next day so I get in a routine.

Try mapmyrun.com, put in zip code 77845, and Lick Creek. Out and back from Lick Creek to Peach Creek might fit the bill.

There's the paved path At Veteran's Park.

motherrunnerBCS, I tried that on GMaps by pinning it and it's 5.71 one way from Lick Creek to 6. Of course, I know it could vary a bit as far as terrain (I have actually never been to that part of town!), but it looks like what you and runnrboy are saying will work for that area, and I can contain at least a good part to trails. Thanks so much!

Edit: on posting I saw the Veteran's Park comment. Any idea how long it is?

[This message has been edited by AggieDoc10 (edited 4/21/2013 9:50p).]

Veteran's park is a short loop- few miles tops.

I think Veteran's Park is only a mile loop. I believe you might could make it a smidge longer with a couple of short trails off of it, but not much. I have run out there, but I usually only put in 3-4 miles at most. I usually run my neighborhood. I have a good 4 mile loop that I enjoy and can easily shorten if need be without actually crossing any traffic.

Not on a public roadway...not worth getting killed by someone texting

[This message has been edited by originaltexan (edited 4/22/2013 11:35a).]

Thank you, everyone. Looks like Lick Creek will be the main haunt with some neighborhood runs here and there and a few trips to Lake Bryan when I feel like paying. I appreciate the info. I guess most of my runner friends do neighborhoods. I live in a place with a massive trail system so I took it for granted. However, summer might be a better time to run neighborhoods because last time I ran in Texas (years ago) I remember all the sprinklers. I'm in the Midwest now where the temp will be 28 tonight with a chance of snow. I'm going to really want those sprinklers!

I use the trails in and around Castlegate.. not phenomenal scenery, but the back part where Mimi runs is nice.

Has campus been mentioned? I see people running campus all the time. Main and west campus.

Pretty much anywhere in town has sidewalks or places to run. However you can also check by Brazos Running Co., for local running clubs/events to find others runners and find out where they run.

I typically just plot my own course of about a 5-6 mile run.

Boonville Road (FM 158) has 12 foot wide sidewalks between the bypass and Hwy. 30 for walking, jogging, biking. It's 3.25 miles long, and you could take a detour through the Park Hudson trail to add another 2.25 miles.

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I use the trails in and around Castlegate.. not phenomenal scenery, but the back part where Mimi runs is nice

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The loop around Castlegate is about 2.2 miles. I then add as many 'Realms' as I need to get the distance I want (usually make a 5-7 mile loop, depending on what I'm training for). With Castlegate II building out, there's lots of new roads to explore with the benefit of little traffic and, if I want a break, I can check out the new homes.

MapMyRun.com is your friend.

I do have a list of maps from maymyrun but they didn't list trails and paths, which was what I was searching for in my OP. Campus on weekends is a possibility. For me, running is a peaceful escape, which is less peaceful with busy roads and stoplights, etc. When I made the post I was hoping to find paths and trails that were long enough, but it seems there isn't a lot. I will start with places people suggested are less traffic filled.

Boonville Rd sounds promising too. 2.2 at Castlegate is a bit short--I am not a fan of repeating--it's all psychological but I'd prefer to do what some are suggesting by starting at paths and extending to low traffic areas. Thanks again!

[This message has been edited by AggieDoc10 (edited 4/23/2013 2:05p).]

Boonville Rd has quite a bit of traffic, so you may not get the peace you want running out there. There was talk at one time of the City of College Station creating a trail from Lick Creek Park to Veterans Park. Don't know if that is still in the works but I wish it would happen.

I know it doesn't help now, but I think I read an article a few weeks ago that a bike/run trail was planned for the area near highway 47.

One bonus if they had decided to reroute the railroad around town would be repurposing that corridor as a bike/run trail. I have been on a trail in Marlyand and California where they did this and it was pretty nice. Here there would be some road crossing issues, but that could be fixed with pedestrian bridges or tunnels.

Howdy again! I got to town this week and started with a 5-miler at Lick Creek. It was really nice. I can see that it wouldn't be too hard to do the side trails and turn it into a long run. Today I did Park Hudson for just a short run. Nice trail--concrete isn't the best, though. I will be exploring a lot.I will probably run around campus a lot in the interim before summer school too. Thanks for all the tips. At least I knew where to go when I got here!