Hit the trail with Friederike Franze

No matter where you are, there are new paths to run and trails to discover. Join HOKA fan Friederike Franze as she takes us for a run along her favourite trail route in Wandlitz, Germany.

I’m a passionate travel and lifestyle blogger living in Berlin, Germany. One of my great passions is fitness, which I follow in adventures all over the world.

You’ll often find me hiking through new terrains, from the forests of Germany to the glaciers of Iceland, exploring new landscapes and capturing my journeys on camera.

Finding freedom in new locations

Nothing is more liberating, beautiful or exciting than exploring a new and unknown trail. Every route we run for the first time is something unique. Our senses are heightened and everything we see, smell and feel on that path is exhilarating.

HOKA fan Friederike Franze looks out onto the lake

Whenever I travel, I pack my running shoes and get out on those roads to discover somewhere new. It could be in the morning at dawn when you’re the first one on the trail, or at night with a headlight switched on, when the whole road is yours.

What I love about this run

This trail run takes you about 8km around Lake Liebnitz near Berlin. The area is idyllic. From muddy paths to stony roads, and dense forest to lake-side views, the trail offers almost every terrain. It will take you uphill and downhill, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning views over the lake. Even if you are a beginner, there is so much to see and explore that you’ll forget all about how far you’ve run.

“I realised I was avoiding tricky terrains in my old running shoes and was limiting myself so much. In the Speedgoat 2, even when running up and downhill, I feel stable and protected.” Friederike Franze

The route is the perfect place to run without your phone to distract you. Listen to the sounds of the forest and lake, and all paths are so well signposted you’ll stay on track.

If you want to run further, there are so many more routes between Bernau and Wandlitz. The mixed woodlands of pines, beeches, oaks and alders is the perfect place to explore just outside of the city.

Why the Speedgoat 2 is perfect for long distances

The Speedgoat 2 has a cushioned midsole made to absorb hard impact and give you a more stable running base. The open mesh construction keeps my feet cool and the wide toe area gives my feet lots of freedom, so they don’t crush your toes when you run downhill. Also they are so lightweight, making them perfect for long distances.

Close-up image of the HOKA Speedgoat 2 in action

I realised I was avoiding tricky terrains in my old running shoes and was limiting myself so much. In these shoes, even when running up and downhill, I feel stable and protected. At the end of my run, I dipped my feet in the lake to cool down and even with wet feet and socks the shoe fit fantastically and brought me safely to the car park without slipping.

Learn more about the SPEEDGOAT 2 SHOES Friederike wears.

Hit the trail with Anne Englebert

No matter where you are, there are new paths to run and trails to discover. Join HOKA fan Anne Englebert as she takes us for a run along her favourite trail route in Hérault, France.

I fell in love with running in California while I studied there for a year at university. After returning to France, my passion really grew. I started a blog Anne and Dubndidu, became a sports coach and eventually wrote several books on sports and nutrition.

Combining the values of different sports, including running, fitness and yoga, with a healthy and positive lifestyle, I’ve united a beautiful community of runners all around France named the Dubndiduteam.

Why it’s important to run in new locations

After suffering a stress fracture, which is a fatigue-induced fracture of the bone, I can finally slowly start running again this summer. Slowly but surely.

HOKA fan Anne Englebert ahead of running on trails

Summer really is my favourite season for running. Yes, it is hot, but the days are longer as well. During the summer holidays, we often have more time to run and discover new routes, so if you go on holiday (unless you’ve already come back), don’t forget to pack your trainers and set new challenges for yourself.

What I love about this run

Because of my injury, at the moment I am allowed to run, but only on the trails. This pushed me to look for new running paths in the Montpellier region. One of my favourite spots is along the Salagou lake. Located at the heart of Hérault region, the beauty of this artificial lake will take your breathe away.

“One of my favourite spots is along the Salagou lake. Located at the heart of Hérault region, the beauty of this artificial lake will take your breath away.” Anne Englebert

You can run there, but also simply take a walk or do some mountain biking. I am delighted to share this route because I first started to share my runs on Instagram specifically to share the paths that I adore, the landscapes of the south of France, these precious moments in harmony with nature and my environment.

HOKA fan Anne Englebert runs up the trail in Speedgoat 2 shoes

How the Speedgoat 2 help me on my run

I wore the Speedgoat 2 trail shoes during this run. They are a little different from what I usually wear. It’s the first time I’ve tried them, but they’ve come highly recommended. They have more cushioning and are adapted to the trail path. Their upper mesh is very light for summer, which is good to keep your feet cool.

“What I like about the Speedgoat 2 is the comfort they give me, which reassured me enormously during my recovery and return to running.” Anne Englebert

What I like about these shoes is the comfort they give me, which reassured me enormously during my recovery and return to running. They are not aggressive but, in fact, very stable and comfortable, even when the path is made of small pebbles. Of course, they have been designed for rougher trails, but they are suitable for other types of route as well. In the end, they allowed me to regain my confidence while running.

Learn more about the Speedgoat 2 shoes Anne wears.