Skip to main content

Find out more about the wildfire and wildfire-related concerns in the NWT.

Home Story Racing Through the North: Running in Yellowknife
A group of people running on the ice road in the NWT_. Photo credit Mike Lee

Racing Through the North: Running in Yellowknife

If you’re a runner—or just looking to explore Yellowknife while getting some exercise—a city full of like-minded individuals are ready to welcome you.

Running in Yellowknife may not be exactly what you’re used to. In the summer, the Midnight Sun lets NWT runners enjoy up to 20 hours of daylight, giving you plenty of time to get out there and work up a sweat. In the colder months, dedicated athletes face snow, ice, fog, slush, darkness, and low temperatures. However, Yellowknife’s resilient runners are always up for the challenge.

People running around the Fram Lake Trail in Yellowkninfe. Photo Dave Brosha

Join the Running Community

Whether you’re a local resident or just visiting, you’re invited to join the running community in Yellowknife. You can connect with groups like the Yellowknife Running Group or the Javarunners, both of which are easily accessible through social media. These groups also host special runs throughout the year, including the Pride Run in August during Pride Week and the Terry Fox Run in September, which raises funds for cancer research.

Before Christmas, you might spot runners decked out in holiday-themed red and green gear. In September, the annual CIBC Run for Our Lives Mud Run adds a fun twist, with nearly 400 participants jumping, running, and crawling through a muddy obstacle course to raise money for cancer research.

For those seeking a more serious running challenge, the Yellowknife Overlander Marathon in August offers a rigorous course. Runners navigate a figure-eight route through Yellowknife and the surrounding area, with full marathoners completing the loop twice for a total of 42.2 kilometers (26 miles).

Aperson enjoys the views of Cameron Falls outside of Yellowknife NWT_. Photo Hans Pfaff

Exploring Yellowknife’s Trails

Yellowknife offers plenty of trails to explore, whether you prefer to hit the pavement or enjoy the challenge offered by a trail route. Just off downtown, the Niven Lake Trail is a 2.4-km (1.5 mi) loop on a maintained gravel path.

Another great option is the Frame Lake Trail, a scenic 7-km (4.3 mi) loop that winds around Frame Lake, passing through rocky outcrops and forested sections with great views of the city and Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly building. With a mix of paved and natural surfaces, it’s a versatile route suitable for runners of all levels.

For a more challenging route, try the Prospector’s Trail Loop in Fred Henne Territorial Park. This 5.3-km (3.2 mi) loop takes about an hour to complete, with beautiful lakeside views and some gentle inclines.

If you’re looking for a trail that blends city convenience with a backcountry feel, the Tin Can Hill Trail is a fantastic choice. This network of well-used dirt paths weaves through rocky terrain and boreal forest, offering a variety of route options with stunning views of Great Slave Lake. Located just a short distance from downtown, it’s a favorite among local runners and dog walkers looking for a quick escape into nature.

For those seeking a greater challenge, the Prospector’s Trail to Ingraham Loop offers a 5-km (3 mi) loop with a 49 m (150 ft) elevation gain. This trail is ideal for birding and hiking enthusiasts. The best time to enjoy these trails is from April to October.

Just outside of town along the Ingraham Trail, which is a 70 km (43 mi) stretch of highway that boasts countless hikes and picnic areas, you will find Cameron Falls– if the run doesn’t leave you breathless, the idyllic, cascading waterfall certainly will.

A running group on the ice road in Yellowknife NWT_. Photo Mike Lee

Preparation for Cold-Weather Running

Before heading out, it’s essential to be prepared. Check the weather report and plan to run with a buddy when possible. If you’re going solo, let someone know your route and estimated time of return.

Dressing appropriately for winter running is critical. The most important layer is your base layer, which should be made of materials that keep you warm. Other essentials include fleece, waterproof and breathable running tights, a hooded jacket, a face covering made from a weather-resistant material, winter running shoes equipped with cleats, fleece-lined wind pants, a waterproof and breathable jacket, and merino wool gloves. A light-up vest is also a great idea to ensure visibility, and if you’re running early in the morning or later in the day, a headlamp is ideal.

Yellowknife stores offer all these items for sale and can provide helpful advice.

When running in cold weather, keep your cell phone in an inner layer to prevent it from freezing, and know where to stop for a break or to hydrate. Carry hand warmers and a small bottle of hot water for hydration, as well as a snack.

Longer runs might require a change of base layers, as frost can build up inside your outer layers, making it harder to stay warm. Be mindful of frostbite symptoms—numb, painful, tingly, or burning skin—and find a place to warm up immediately if you notice any signs. One veteran runner’s tip is to apply Vaseline to exposed skin to help prevent frostbite.

In Yellowknife, it’s better to overdress than underdress for winter running. But don’t worry—the supportive running community is always there to offer advice and help you get out on the trail, and have a safe and memorable experience.

 

If outdoors adventure is what you’re seeking, check out more of what Yellowknife and the North Slave Region have to offer.

If you are interested in learning more about how to dress for cold weather experiences, check out this travel tips video.

member icon Member
Peterson's Point Lake Lodge

Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to known waters teeming with monster lake trout. Their current record is a......

member icon Member
Sonny Aurora Tours

Join us on an Aurora hunting adventure. Our skilled tour guides know all the best places around Yellowknife to capture......

member icon Member
NARWAL Northern Adventures

Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......

member icon Member
Ji Guang Tour

With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......

member icon Member
Watta Lake Lodge

Comfortable lodge a 20 minute by floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Guided fishing for Lake Trout (to 34 lb), Arctic Grayling (to......

member icon Member
Arctic Chalet Tours

Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......

member icon Member
Trail Blazer Tours

Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......

member icon Member
Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures

For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......

member icon Member
Nahanni Mountain Lodge

Remote private wilderness paradise on Little Doctor Lake, 100 km west of Fort Simpson. Accommodates 20 in cabins. Fishing, swimming,......

member icon Member
North Star Adventures

100% Indigenous owned!  Experience the spirit of the untamed Canadian north with a 100% Indigenous owned tour company. Journey with an Indigenous tour company that still lives by the traditions of our ancestors. Feel the heartbeat of the land as we share the stories, wisdom, and spiritual connections that have been passed down from generation to […]...

member icon Member
Yellowknife Tours

Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......

member icon Member
South Nahanni Outfitters Ltd.

Outfitting to all of us is a way of life, one that we cherish because we love to hunt, love the......

member icon Member
Arctic Tours Canada

Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......

member icon Member
Aurora Village

Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......

member icon Member
Tukto Lodge

Tukto Lodge has been exceeding anglers’ expectations for more than fifty years. As the only fishing and eco-tourism lodge in......

member icon Member
Yellow Dog Lodge, Inc.

Yellow Dog Lodge is a comfortable lodge with 3 private cabins for our guests. The lodge is a short (15 minute) floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Located on Duncan and Graham Lakes, the lodge is your hub for adventure. Choose from an additional 5 lakes for guided day trip excursions. Each lake is unique and offers unspoiled first class fishing. We are the only lodge that operates guided trips on each of these remote lakes located in the NWT taiga wilderness. Packaged trips feature superb sport fishing and safe outdoor adventure. The lakes and streams offer the finest Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye and Arctic Grayling in the region. As an added bonus, our guests will enjoy the midnight sun and may even catch the northern lights later in the fall or early spring....

Book this entire cabin in the remote wilderness of the stunningly breath-taking, Mackenzie Mountains. This cabin is hands down the......

Raven Tours is a tour operator in Yellowknife, NT, Canada. We offer Aurora Viewing, Snowshoeing, and Hiking Tours. We hope to......

Our goal is to provide unique customized services for high-end customers. We excel at making personalized tours. You can see......

Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......

Welcoming and friendly with a rustic charm and all modern conveniences, Grey Goose Lodge immediately catches your eye as you......

Fishing and Barrenlands wildlife photography, including migrating caribou, at the Obstruction Rapids in the central Barrenlands north of Yellowknife....

Remote naturalist’s lodge snuggled in the Mackenzie Mountains, in the largest mountain wilderness in North America. Located along the Canol......

To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......