Some might find it hard to understand the fascination with running; one foot in front of the other, over and over again. But those people have no idea, right? There’s no high quite like a serotonin spike and no greater feeling than the voluntary burn consuming your jelly-like legs after the drop hits on ‘The Eye of the Tiger’. In a few minutes, you’ll know exactly where to run in Nai Harn, and you’ll be ready to go for it, Rocky Balboa Style. Adriaaaaan!
We understand that with a good running route comes the ultimate rush; a Facebook status and Instagram post showing exactly where you’ve run and the time you’ve done it in. It’s the runner’s way! It gets even better when you do it daily … So, blogger joggers, we’ve got you covered with all the best routes to run in Nai Harn.
Running is one of the most popular activities here in Phuket, with gym fanatics, fighters and health enthusiasts everywhere, you can’t expect anything less. With the heat and humidity here, your fitness will be tested to a new level. Don’t try to be a hero though; jogging at sunrise with a classic morning island breeze is the way to go, if you do it in the middle of the day then you need to be prepared for one of the hottest, stickiest runs ever and maybe even an ambulance.
With some of the greatest scenery in the world, nature all around and incredible viewpoints, you should be excited to test out these paths to run in Nai Harn.
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Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai
What’s better than the satisfaction of finishing a run in great time? That’s right, an incredible cafe tactically placed at the end of your route, filled with delicious food on its Aussie-inspired menu! Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai is just that. We say no to a finishing line medal, and yes to a scrumptious finishing line meal. At our cafe, we have options that’ll satisfy anyone. We thought it’d be plain rude if we didn’t introduce you to some of the best food on the island.
We are in an epic location, only a few minute’s jog from Nai Harn. Our cafe is located in the heart of Rawai, right on the beachfront. Our snug booths and spacious seating look out through the canopy of the trees, into the deep blue ocean. Combine this with our Nordic-style minimalist decor and relaxed feel, you’ll feel immersed in the tropical island lifestyle.
It doesn’t get much better than our ‘Pulled Pork Eggs Benny’. Our home-made sourdough is topped with some tender, pulled-pork shoulder which falls apart at the touch, crunchy green apple slices, sweet pomegranate which bursts in your mouth, 2 creamy poached eggs and it’s all covered in some velvety apple cider hollandaise. You didn’t think we had a dish that complemented a run so well, did you? There’s so much more where that comes from.
If you’re a veggie lover then the ‘Classic Avocado Smash’ is perfect. Buttery, creamy avo is caped on top of our lush sourdough. It’s topped with 2 signature poached eggs, salty, crumbly feta and juicy roasted heirloom cherry tomatoes. It’s a veggie dish for champions.
We also understand that runners still love to eat something that’s a little naughty. It’s the perfect time to load yourself with sugar, straight after a run when your body is burning absolutely everything. That’s why you’ve got to try our super fluffy, light waffles. The ‘Strawberry Delight’ is unbelievably good. We top it with sliced strawberries and banana, a generous scoop of thick, rich vanilla ice cream, drizzled in maple syrup with crushed almonds. Don’t feel guilty for it, feel empowered and own it, baby!
We’ve also got some extra healthy options, for the calorie counting disciplined people out there! The ‘Chia Seed Pudding’ is full of goodness and as tasty as anything. Nutrient-rich and delicious, it sounds like a runner’s dream. It’s served with some sweet, yummy pomegranate reduction and the freshest seasonal fruits. Mmmmhhhhhmmm!
We’re the ultimate spot to come straight after your run. We give you even more motivation to make sure you go hard. You know what they say, work hard, play hard.
Nai Harn Lake
Nai Harn Lake effectively turns into a running track at sunrise and sundown. Every runner in Phuket seems to love it. It’s a 1.4-mile loop around the lake, so whether you do one lap or a few, it’s well worth it. The lake is right next to Nai Harn beach which gives you plenty of opportunity to relax before or after your run, of course though, this might not be too relevant to you as you’ll be coming straight to Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai. It’s definitely a top spot to run in Nai Harn though.
Promthep Cape
Promthep Cape is a truly beautiful place to run in Nai Harn. If your starting point is the lake, you’ll be able to follow the hilly, windy jungle roads straight to the cape. Most of the run overlooks the ocean from high up on the hillside. It will be tough on the quads and hammies though. The hills are pretty steep but it’s well worth it when you see the amazing views.
Rawai Beach
Rawai Beach is a couple of minutes out, but it’s well worth putting on a list of great places to run in Nai Harn. Running the length of this flat, white-sand tropical Beach is pretty dreamy. It doesn’t really get more Thai than running alongside the classic, wooden long-tail boats under the canopy of the palm trees. Have you ever tried to run on sand? It’s intense, so get ready for some pain
So, Where is the Best of the Routes to Run in Nai Harn?
Our favourite route to run in Nai Harn is undoubtedly Nai Harn Lake. There are so many great spots, however, this takes pole position due to its incredible location. Not only that, but running here is pretty social as there are so many like-minded people doing the same thing! You have the opportunity of running as far as you’d like without getting lost and you can stop whenever you want!
It’s also only a couple of minutes from Poached Breakfast Cafe Rawai. One thing’s for sure, you need to come and visit us to grab a bite to eat. We have the best food on the island and you won’t regret digging into our yummy Melbourne-inspired dishes. So, we expect to see you here soon with sweat dripping down your face ready to get stuck into some food.
If you liked this article, why not try out one of our other recommendations such as Who’s Searching for Places to Go Scuba Diving in Rawai? Here’s Our 3 Top Spots