Best Munich Running Routes and Trails

Top Munich Running Routes

Munich is much more than a scenic backdrop for Oktoberfest. The town, like all the German cities, provides a great range of parks, monuments and interesting neighborhoods to head out on a memorable run. The Isar River is lined along both banks by seemingly endless trails. And Munich is home to some of the biggest and most beautiful parks you'll ever come across: the Englischer Garten, Olympiapark, Nymphenburg. And of course, the old town itself has a maze of lanes worth exploring.

In the Englischer Garten

So here they are, the nine best routes in this fascinating place.

The Best Munich Routes
Englischer Garten: The garten is a huge area of greenspace right in the heart of town, and one of the favorite gathering places for everyone. No wonder it's also the most popular spot to run. Try it!


Old Town/Englischer Garten:  This is the most interesting route in town, including sections along the river, through the main park and through the old town. If you only have one chance to run, try this route!

Nymphenburg:  Nymphenburg is the Versailles-like palace on the north side of town. It has a long, canal-side street leading up to the front gate, and a large gardens behind it.

Olympiapark:  This sprawling parkland is full of Olympic sports halls and stadiums, with big hills to climb and get a great view of the city.

Isar South:  This route follows the Isar River south of the old town, where you can run close to the rapids of this surging mountain river.

Classic Munich:  In the 1800s, the Bavarian monarchs also ruled Greece. They tried to underscore this by constructing many Greek-style buildings and monuments in Munich, west of the old town. This route takes you by many of them.

Starnberger See:  This beautiful lake is easy to reach, and provides a whole new Munich experience: the Alps in the background, with sailboats, ferries, waterside restaurants and beaches all around. A great contrast to the city.

Westpark: This route takes you through the southwest part of town, through the Theresienwiese (Oktoberfest grounds) and into Westpark. A convenient way into parkland from most hotels near the train station.

Hirschgarten: This nice little route takes you through Neuhausen, from Rotkreuzplatz and then looping through the Hirschgarten park and right through its biergarten. Prost!