“Wait, where the heck am I supposed to run?” A hobby jogging guide to Perugia
Blog and Photo by Elisa Martin of Williams College
Perugia is a utopia– that is, until you lace up your sneakers. Coming from Massachusetts, where there may be more running trails than paved roads, finding places to run in Perugia felt impossible at first. The uneven cobblestone streets, insane number of stairs, and necklace of busy, sidewalk-less roads encircling the historic city center proved worthy adversaries in my battle to have a pleasant jogging experience. However, I wasn’t about to give up– running is my happy place, and I would be darned if I didn’t find that in Perugia. I am happy to declare that, after almost a month of trial and error, I have found the holy grail of running routes around central Perugia.
There are two main things to know about running in Perugia. The first: elevation gain is inevitable. You’ve seen the pictures– situated across the rolling back of an undulating hill, Perugia looks like it came straight out of a fairytale. Well, if you want to live in a place this pretty, you’ve got to navigate the impressive inclines. Some routes are hillier than others, but in general, I simply suggest you embrace it! Heck, stop to walk if you have to, and enjoy the views while you’re at it.
The second: people in Perugia don’t really run. Or, I should say, they don’t run like the people back home do. In my New England hometown, there are crowds of people jogging around town early in the morning– it would be strange if I left my house without (literally) running into someone I knew. In Perugia, not only am I the only one out running, but I’ve gotten some funny looks while doing it. I recently learned that this is because most locals either hit the gym or run at a very small park 15-minutes away by metro. As a busy girlie with little free time (and money) to spend gearing up for the gym or commuting to the park, running in the town center is the only option I’ve got. However, I’ve developed some tricks that help me blend in and genuinely enjoy my time jogging in Perugia– tricks that I will now share with you!
- Run in the mornings, around 7 or 8AM. This time-of-day is bellissimo, both for the majestic golden skies, and the lack of crowds in the streets. This way, you’ll get way fewer stares (but the same number of stairs, sorry for that). The temperature at this time of day is also perfect, especially during the hotter summer and fall months. Now, If you’re thinking to yourself, oh my gosh, is she insane? I don’t get out of bed until 10!, then I suggest a run right before sunset, at 5 or 6PM. This time of day might be a bit more congested, but not as bad as midday. There is also nothing quite like running through Perugia at sunset– the views are spectacular.
- Avoid running through the main Piazza. Yes, it is gorgeous, but it’s highly populated around the clock. Also, you already spend enough time in Piazza IV Novembre– use your run to explore some spots in Perugia you don’t frequent as often! Which leads me to my next point…
- Prioritize fun, not pace. Even on the flattest run in Perugia, there are a billion and one things keeping you from hitting your PR in the mile. Take a breath– take off your watch, if you have to– and just focus on enjoying yourself and getting to know your new home. For instance, I often use morning jogs to explore the city (in fact, I found a new neighborhood to run in just yesterday!). Now, I know the prettiest locations for sunset strolls, midday book breaks, and evening drinks, all because I take a little time to shuffle around.
- Avoid running on the main busy roads circling Perugia. It’s tempting, I know, but also incredibly sketchy (trust me, I’ve tried it). Some of the busiest roads circling central Perugia lack a shoulder or a sidewalk. Don’t get run over by a vespa– stay safe and stay in pedestrian-friendly areas!
- Keep your phone with you at all times. I can’t count the number of times I’ve needed Google Maps to reorient myself after taking a wrong turn on a run. Before you freak out, it’s practically impossible to actually get lost running in Perugia; however, it is possible to elongate your run by a mile or two (or increase your elevation gain by a lot) due to navigational errors. If you think you took a wrong turn, don’t be afraid to pause, and consult your trusty mobile device. It might save you, and your legs, a lot of heartache.
I think that just about covers it! You are now ready to hit the ground running. Attached below are three of my favorite routes, which I switch up depending on my mood; however, I encourage you to explore and find what works for you. Happy jogging!
Running Path 1 Running Path 2 Running Path 3