First and foremost, I really appreciate the fact that the German and Berlin government NEVER enforce a total lockdown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that we have always been allowed to go outdoor to exercise, although obviously not in unreasonably big groups and keeping a safe distance if households mix.
Moderate exercise has been found to boost the immune system and keep our endurance, muscle mass and strength. With vaccines against COVID-19 yet to be found, sports can help the body build a strong defense to combat the symptoms should we contract the virus. In one of his podcasts, Germany’s top virologist Christian Drosten also pointed out the mental stability benefit of putting on running shoes every two or three days when we go out for a jog for half an hour or an hour.
With the above in mind, I thought I’d put together this post as a resource for people who enjoy jogging or walking in Berlin, and those who want to start doing so. A short disclaimer, though: I live in the eastern part of Berlin and rarely venture to the west, so my list is naturally biased towards the east 🙂
My Top 5 Jogging & Walking Routes in Berlin
This is my staple jogging ‘hood, surrounded by residential areas yet mostly quiet and empty. There’s something relaxing about running by the water, the good old river Spree at the border of Friedrichshain and Rummelsburg. Another plus is that you can run on soft surfaces and avoid asphalt most of the way, so it’s not too hard on the knees.
There’s a lot of new development and construction works going on in Stralau, so I won’t be surprised if the area looks completely different in a couple of years. Every time J and I pass this lone-standing remain of a former glass bottle factory, we always wonder how much longer it’s gonna stand there before being flattened to the ground to make way for spanking new offices and apartments.
I usually clock in 6 to 7 km when I jog along my standard route, once or twice a week. Explore various routes in this area here, some of which include Treptower Park which I mention in #2.
If you’re not into jogging/walking, you can rent pedal and sailing boats, kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle here all through summer. In icy winter, you can ice-skate or windsurf on frozen Rummelsburger See.
When I have a bit more energy and time, I usually build on the first route to include Treptower Park, which is the second-biggest park in Berlin and lies south of the Stralau peninsula in the Alt-Treptow district. At 84 hectares, the park is vast enough for anyone who wishes to avoid crowds flocking there to have a picnic/walk the dogs/jog/cycle/paddle/sightsee, especially on a nice day.
I usually clock in 10 to 11 km when incorporate Treptower Park into my Rummelsburger Bucht/Stralauer Insel route. Take a look at other route options here.
If you’re not into jogging/walking, you can rent pedal and rowing boats, kayak, canoe, play table tennis, visit the food stands or just chill on the lawns*.
This is one of the most popular parks in Friedrichshain at the border with Prenzlauer Berg, and it’s also Berlin’s first public park. It’s especially packed in the summer and on the weekends.
Pre-WFH, the park was a convenient jogging destination from my workplace. I could clock in ~6 km after work and then cycle home in my jogging outfit. Recently, however, I went there only to participate in group workouts, because running there from home involves going along noisy major roads, which is annoying.
If you’re not into jogging/walking, you can roller blade, have a picnic/BBQ in the park, play beach volleyball or bubble soccer, go bouldering/rock climbing, visit the open-air cinema in summer, or just spread yourself on the grass really*.
4. Around the lake Müggelsee
As mentioned above, I’m quite a fan of walking/jogging/running by the water. The Müggelsee is the largest lake in Berlin, located in the southeastern part of the city at the border of Treptow-Köpenick and Friedrichshagen.
I’ve walked ~10 km from Köpenick S-Bahn station along the lake to Berlin’s tallest peak of Großer Müggelberg, but you can check out some other routes here. The forest area around the nearby Teufelssee is still an insider tip! Also, once you finish the walk/run, take the F-12 ferry from Müggelbergallee to Grünau to complete the experience (yes, you can use the normal BVG AB ticket for the ride).
If you’re not into jogging/walking, you can rent all kinds of boats to explore the Müggelsee, take your mountain bike for a spin, jump into the lake or just sunbathe on the beach (optionally naked in the FKK area)*.
5. Along the river Panke
The Panke is a tributary of the river Spree and the third longest river in Berlin after the Spree and the Havel. I’ve only walked from its source in the north, at Bernau bei Berlin to Buch (13 km), and there are some lovely meadows along the way.
Note that the path between Bernau and Buch is exceedingly paved with asphalt, so it might be a little rough on the knees if you run, but you can check out other possible routes here. The Panke runs through Pankow and Wedding before emptying into the river Spree in the middle of the city, so if you’re feeling full of energy you can even jog along the whole 29 km of it.
If you’re not into jogging/walking, you can cycle along the river, take the kids to an educational farm, or visit the palace and parks of Schloss Schönhausen*.
*subject to COVID-19 restrictions
