Ashland OR Running

Ashland is a runner’s paradise, drawing some of the world’s leading ultra-marathon runners to this small town in the mountains. Since the town is wedged between the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges, most running routes tend to have some elevation climb, so there are only a limited number of flat, beginner routes.

Level 3.4 mile stretch on Siskiyou Boulevard

For road running, many newer runners like to stick to the main roads through town – Siskiyou Boulevard and/or Main Street. Even running on these main drags, you will experience a modest elevation gain of 100 to 200 feet over any 1.5-mile section (3 miles round trip).

The flattest stretch along these routes runs along Siskiyou Boulevard starting at Tolman Creek Road and going uphill southeast (past Mistletoe Road) for 1.7 miles to Clayton Road on the right. Turning back on the same route gives you a 3.4-mile run with only 75 feet in elevation gain on the way out.

6 mile run along Ashland’s city bike path

For a longer run along Ashland’s great bike path with a 300-foot gain in elevation, catch the southeast leg of the bike path by Railroad Park at the corner of A Street and 6th Street. Head southeast past 7th and 8th streets through Railroad Park and stay on the path as it gradually climbs 85 feet over 1.3 miles past Garfield Park, tennis courts, and baseball diamonds to the Mountain View Cemetery.

Here, the path continues through the cemetery for a quarter mile to Shamrock Lane where you’ll see storage units on your left and little Club 66 on your right. Continue straight on Shamrock Lane for one block to the tiny filling station where you’ll see the bike path continue under the overpass for Ashland Street.

After the overpass, the path proceeds along the railroad tracks behind Shop ‘N’ Kart and Bi-Mart stores. When the path meets up with Tolman Creek Road at the 2-mile mark, continue straight ahead onto Mistletoe Road. Stay on this deserted-looking Mistletoe Road for a mile as it winds around and eventually meets up with Siskiyou Boulevard before turning back.

The Mistletoe stretch will be the greatest elevation gain, adding 150 feet over that mile. Then return back downhill along the same route for a 6-mile round-trip run.

13 mile climb on the Bear Creek Greenway

Those looking to run a half-marathon length can extend the above route and run the entire Ashland bike path along the Bear Creek Greenway for a 520-foot elevation gain. To do your uphill climb on the way out, park your car by the weigh station near the intersection of Rogue Valley Highway 99 and South Valley View Road.

Start your route by heading north across the wooden bridge beside South Valley View Road. The bridge continues onto the paved Bear Creek Greenway path that loops around under the road and climbs over several rolling hills along the Bear Creek.

After 1.8 miles, you come to the bemoaned Wastewater Treatment plant where you’ll turn right over the bridge up the hill and past it as the path curves left past the dog park and heads south to Nevada Street.

Continue straight across Nevada Street on Helman Street past the school. After 2/3 of a mile on Helman, turn left on Van Ness and run two blocks to Oak Street and turn right and immediately left onto A Street.

After three blocks on A Street, you can turn left at 4th Street and run behind the buildings to your right to meet up with the bike path at 6th Street.  From here, follow the 6-mile route listed above.  The end of Mistletoe Road will put you 6.5 miles out one way.

Outdoor Recreation Safety Note: Please be sure to read our safety note on our Outdoor Recreation home page.