Run in New York - the best-of Central Park

Running in Central Park.

The myth. But the park is huge, full of little secrets and, above all, thousands of paths. A true labyrinth. Wide avenues, narrow paths and curvy trails, sports fields, almost wild forests, manicured lawns - there's something for everyone, and they'll forget they're in the heart of one of the world's most frenetic cities.

It took 15 years and 20,000 workers to plant hundreds of thousands of trees, rework the soil and dig the lakes and reservoirs.

Not to be missed: Bethesda Terrace, overlooking the lake, and the boathouse where you can rent a rowboat. Nearby, the famous Bow Bridge will delight all lovers. The Belvedere Castle, for a bit of height, the Reservoir to broaden the perspective, or all the way south the Gapstow Bridge, which brings together in one image a lake, trees, the famous Plaza Hotel and the modern skyline of North Midtown.

Central Park in figures

• 315 hectares, 4.15km long, 900m wide.
• 37 million visitors per year
• 500,000 trees
• more than 250 films have been shot here
• 1,600 lampposts: which also serve as a compass. All numbered, they tell you which street you're on, and whether you're on the east (last even number) or west (odd number) side (e.g. 8316=83rd street east side).
• over 9,000 benches, in case you're ever feeling a little under the weather
• 1 caiman (no longer there, it was recovered by hunters who came all the way from Florida...

So go ahead, without fear, and let us guide you to the essentials, so you don't get lost in the forests...