The Cliffs of Moher features in both ancient Irish legends and
big-screen films – and it’s not hard to see why. Framed by towering
rises and crashing waves, it’s Irish landscape at its most rugged.
Skip the local guide and bypass group tours in favour of exploring
the storied lands by foot. For an especially pretty route, the
Doolin Cliff Walk trail will take you on an 8km stretch backed on
one side by bucolic countryside and by sweeping scenes of the ocean
and the Aran Islands on the other. Be sure to pause at the O’Brian
Tower for a movie-worthy scene of the cliffs.

Although this is one that’s usually hiked in a multi-day jaunt,
serious runners should consider the Inca Trail for their next
challenge – it’s almost exactly the distance of a marathon. Jelly
legs and foot cramps are much more tolerable when endured against
an Hollywood-worthy backdrop of mountain scenery, cloud forest,
alpine tundra and lush jungle – plus, once you reach your final
destination, the pain will dissipate in the presence of the
incredible Machu Picchu.

If you’ve got a case of treadmill tedium, the Swiss Alps is the
antidote. The Jungfrau Route bills itself as the world’s most
beautiful trail, and between the snow-capped peaks, bluer-than-blue
skies and glittering lakes, it’d be hard to argue against them.
It’s a beautiful beast, however; they’re scenes for which you’ll
have to work (very hard). After the first fairly flat 10km, you’ll
be met with a 1,823m elevation so we’d be sure to hit the
stairmaster extra hard before attempting this.

Think cross-country on steroids, the Jungle Marathon leads
runners through swamps, across rivers, up steep climbs and down
even more steep descents, through village trails, sandy beaches and
more. It dubs itself both the “world’s wildest eco race” and eerily
“the world’s most terrifying adventure”, so you’ve got to have more
than just stamina to get through this run. The Jungle Marathon will
test your everything: survival skills, physical ability, mental
strength and propensity for creepy-crawlies. If you’re up for more
than a marathon, embark on a six-stage, 254km race, sleeping in
hammocks come nightfall.

Often regarded as the big daddy of trekking, this Nepalase route
takes you all the way from the east to west of
Nepal, past some of the world’s most spectacular mountains and
the views that accompany them. Linking together the less tourist
ravaged destinations of Nepal’s mountain range, the proposed trail
stretches across the Greater Himalyan Range taking in Kashmir,
Tibet, India, Nepal and Bhutan – but unless you feel like
attempting to be the first person in the world to do the whole
continuous route, you can pick and choose snippets of the trail and
still say you conquered the GHT.

The best way to beat the crowds craning for a look of the
Hollywood sign? Set your alarm, lace up your runners and get
moving. Neighbouring Hollywood Boulevard, the Sunset Strip and the
Los Angeles Basin, Runyon Canyon Park is a 130-acre park that
offers running opportunities aplenty and, like Goldilocks and
porridge, no matter if you like it hilly, rocky or smooth sailing,
there’s a route for you. For a guaranteed thigh burn, hit the steep
climbs of the Star Trail, and if you’re up for a challenge The Hero
Trail will push your limits.

There’s a reason why there’s a whole school of writers dubbed
The Lake Poets; between the lush forests, glossy lakes and towering
mountains, the Lake District is a natural haven through and
through. The Green Gable is an especially pretty route in an area
known for its pretty routes. Beginning and finishing at the head of
the Wasdale valley, the trail snakes up through the clouds to
majestic views that inspired Wordsworth and Coleridge.

The Atacama Crossing is one of the four 155-mile desert routes
designed to sort the extremely tough from the very tough.
Ultra-runners take years to prepare for this seven-day race, but if
you’re after a route that’s a little less extreme (although
admittedly still very difficult), the Volcano Marathon is the
highest desert marathon in the world, and while the resulting
thinner air will provide yet another challenge to surpass, the
panoramic views of the surrounding volcanoes more than make up for
it.

There’s no question about it, the Grand Canyon one of those
once-in-a-lifetime adventures to which many of us aspire. While
Pinterest and
Instagram may have you believing it’s only seen from above, we
urge you to venture a little below the rim for a different
perspective. Push your limits on the aptly named Rim-to-Rim trail,
leading you between colossal rock formations, past the sandy banks
of the Colorado River and through two billion years of the Earth’s
history. First timers are recommended to run via the North Kaibab
Trail and the Bright Angel Trail.

Named after the mountain’s shape (granted you have to squint a
little), Lion’s Head is a route to cut your teeth (or running
shoes) on. Only two to three hours long and clearly marked, the
trail is suitable for beginners and offers rewards in far excess of
the effort. Winding its way across the mountain, it provides
multiple vantage points along the way from which to witness

Cape Town‘s incredible topography, but just like a cherry on
top, the peak is where you’ll find the best views of Table Bay and
the kingfisher-blue waters stretching endlessly ahead. Next on the
list? Lion’s Head’s big brother: Table Top Mountain.