Trail Running in Flagstaff, Arizona

Fatman's Loop — Beginner/Easy (2.4 miles, 400 ft gain)

The most accessible running loop from downtown. The pine-needle surface and moderate grade make it an excellent warm-up or easy day route. Most runners complete it in 20–30 minutes. Connects to the Elden Lookout Trail for runners who want to add elevation. Trailhead: Highway 89 at Eldon Lookout Road, 2 miles from downtown.

Oldham-Rocky Ridge-Sunset Loop — Intermediate (6 miles, 1,500 ft gain)

The most popular intermediate trail running circuit on Mount Elden. The Oldham Trail climbs steadily through mixed conifer forest to the ridgeline, connects to Rocky Ridge for technical singletrack, then descends via Sunset Trail. Technical enough to be interesting, runnable throughout for fit trail runners. Most runners complete it in 60–90 minutes. Shared with hikers — be alert on descents.

Buffalo Park + Oldham Connector — Easy-Moderate (5–8 miles, 500 ft gain)

Start at Buffalo Park's paved loop and extend north via the connector trail to Oldham for a longer run that starts flat and progressively gains elevation. The paved section is good for warm-up; the trail section has soft dirt and good footing. Popular with NAU runners on easy days. Total distance depends on where you turn around.

Schultz Creek Trail — Intermediate (7 miles out-and-back, 1,200 ft gain)

A beautiful singletrack run through dense ponderosa and aspen, following the Schultz Creek drainage into the heart of the San Francisco Peaks volcanic field. Less trafficked than the Elden trails, excellent footing on packed dirt. Best in late summer and fall. Trailhead: Schultz Pass Road (FR 420), 4 miles northeast of downtown.

Inner Basin Trail — Expert (9 miles round-trip, 2,200 ft gain)

The demanding Flagstaff run — from Lockett Meadow through dense aspen groves into the volcanic caldera of the Inner Basin. Technical trail surface, significant elevation, and spectacular scenery. Trail runners who complete this once come back for it. Best in late spring through fall; the road to Lockett Meadow is unpaved and requires a high-clearance vehicle. Allow 2.5–3.5 hours.

Flagstaff's elevation makes it a legitimate altitude training destination. At 7,000 feet, oxygen availability is approximately 21% lower than at sea level. Regular training at altitude stimulates red blood cell production, improves VO2 max, and enhances sea-level race performance when athletes return to lower elevation. Most elite running camps at Flagstaff run 3–6 weeks.

For recreational runners: Expect your pace to be 30–90 seconds per mile slower than your sea-level easy pace for the first several days. Don't chase your normal splits. Heart rate stays elevated. Stay hydrated (the dry air at altitude increases water loss significantly). Most runners adapt enough to feel normal within 5–10 days. Recovery is also slower — sleep and nutrition matter more than usual.

Where to stay for training camps: Extended-stay hotels along Butler Avenue have kitchenettes for cooking — important for multi-week training. For groups, rental houses in the ponderosa neighborhoods north of NAU's campus put you directly on trail access points. See our extended stay guide.

Run Flagstaff — The primary local running club, hosting weekly group runs (typically Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings) from Fleet Feet Flagstaff on Milton Road. All paces welcome. Free to join. Check their social media for current start locations and times.

Northern Arizona Elite (NAZ Elite) — A professional distance running team based in Flagstaff that trains on local trails. Their training routes have helped define the best loops in the area. Not a public club, but their presence in the local running community creates a credible infrastructure of coaches and shops.

Fleet Feet Flagstaff — The hub for local running information — trail maps, weekly run schedules, and staff who actually run the local trails.

Flagstaff Sky Races — A series of mountain running events ranging from 21K to 50-mile on the volcanic peaks and forest trails around Flagstaff. Internationally recognized. Typically held in June. Entry fills early.

Elden Cinder Half Marathon — A local trail half-marathon on the Mount Elden trail network. Community-scale event with strong local participation. Typically held in fall.

Soldier Pass 50K — A more technical 50K using trails in the Flagstaff area and extending toward Sedona. Growing reputation in the trail ultramarathon community.

Check the Coconino Cowboys trail running collective and Run Flagstaff websites for updated race calendars.