To be honest, the reason I started exercising in Madison wasn't just to lose weight; it was because this place is so beautiful.

As you walk along the path with a view of the lake downtown, your feet naturally want to go further.

Madison is a city optimized for walking, running, and biking, but before living here, I didn't realize how big of an advantage that was. Can you believe there are over 537 miles of trails in and around the city? I thought it was an exaggeration at first. But after walking it myself, I realized that number is no exaggeration at all. Madison is one of the few places where you can enjoy nature while exercising within the city. You can get a great workout every day without a gym membership.

One of the best walking routes in Madison is definitely the Lakeshore Path. It starts at the UW-Madison Memorial Union and stretches to Picnic Point at the western edge of the campus, with forests, meadows, and lakes alternating along the way, so there's never a dull moment.

If you ask me what the prettiest path in Madison is, I would definitely say this one. The path is well-maintained, making it suitable for running or biking, and the scenery changes completely with the seasons. In spring, flowers bloom; in autumn, the leaves change color; and in winter, the snow-covered lakeside views are stunning. Bring a camera, and you'll get great photos no matter where you take them. Even though there are many people, the charm of this path is that it feels like you're in nature.

You can't forget about the UW-Madison Arboretum. The loop that goes through Wingra Marsh, Noe Woods, Curtis Prairie, and Lost City Forest feels like encountering wildlife in the city. Longnecker Gardens and Teal Pond are also along the route, providing endless sights to see while walking.

This is also often recognized as one of the best trail running spots in Madison on AllTrails. It's hard to believe you can enjoy nature and still be back downtown in just 30 minutes. Whether you run alone or walk with friends, it's great. It feels like you're in a completely different world, even though it's close to the city. It's also perfect for walking your dog.

If you love running, the Lake Monona loop is a must. This course follows the lake's perimeter and has almost no elevation, making it suitable for biking, running, and walking dogs. The scenery blends city and nature, and especially during early mornings or sunset, the light reflecting off the lake is beautiful.

The Capital City Trail and Badger State Trail start in the city and extend for dozens of miles as bike paths. If you're biking, it's worth following this route out to the outskirts of Madison. Indian Lake County Park is just 15 minutes from Madison and features a full 3-mile loop with hills and varied terrain, making it popular for trail running and hiking.

If you enjoy mountain biking, there's the Quarry Ridge Trail System. It has over 3 miles of off-road trails and connects directly to the Military Ridge State Trail and Capital City State Trail. The Ice Age Trail is a nationally designated trail that spans over 1,000 miles across Wisconsin, with one of its starting points near Madison.

You don't need a lot of money to exercise in Madison. A good pair of sneakers is all you need in this city.