Where to Run in Central Park From East 62nd Street: The Reservoir, the Loops, and How Long Each One Is

The closest way in

Head to the Fifth Avenue entrance at 60th Street, about an eight-minute walk west from East 62nd Street through the quiet blocks. That drops you into the southeast corner of the park, close to the East Drive, which is where most of the good running is.

The three routes worth knowing

The Reservoir path (1.58 miles). This is the one most people picture: a flat, soft cinder track that circles the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. No cars, no cyclists (it's runners and walkers only), and the best water-and-skyline views in the park. From the 60th Street entrance it's about a ten-minute jog north to reach it. Good for a short, honest loop or a few laps.

The lower loop (about 1.7 miles). If you'd rather stay on the main road and not head all the way up to the Reservoir, the loop around the bottom of the park (down past the 72nd Street cross-drive) is a tidy 1.7 miles or so. It rolls a little, which is nice if you want some hills.

The full park loop (about 6.1 miles). The whole outer drive, top to bottom and back. This is the classic long run, with the one real climb being the hill up the west side near Harlem Hill. Do this one when you've got the morning and want to see the entire park.

A few things worth knowing

The park drives are fully car-free, so you're only watching for cyclists on the road sections. Run counterclockwise on the main loop to go with the flow of traffic. Water fountains are spread along the drives and around the Reservoir, though they can run dry in deep winter. Early morning is quietest and coolest in summer, which on the Upper East Side is most of what you want from June through September.