This is a ‘runseeing’ tour of Leuven’s beautifully preserved, mainly pedestrianized old town. The route is entirely inside the R23 ring road — the town center is 2.5 km north-south and 2 km east west. Old Town itself is a maze of narrow, winding streets, some lacking names. So, create your own route hitting the highlights or follow the outline of our map below. For a tour with lots of details and specific directions, follow Keith Hauser’s route. Note:some streets are cobblestone.
Sint-Donatus Park. Keith Hauser
Start in the center at Grote Market/Saint Peter’s Church. Head north, following the river, and through De Bruul Park. Head back east, following Sluisstraat north into Park van de Abdij van Keizersberg, where you’ll do a loop and then double back, heading south on the narrow Vaartstraat (or other adjacent street), to Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein — a large square with a neoclassical library. Then head southwest, using the linear park path to run through the lovely Sint-Donatus Park, then staying south of the hospital through the pleasant Groot neighborhood. Turn north, along the river, following paths through numerous small parks, to the Botanical Garden (Kruidtuin). Enjoy a loop there, and then use Minderbroedersstraat to return to the start.
Shorter Option: Can eliminate the Park van de Abdij van Keizersberg or Botanical Garden sections.
Longer Option: Combine with our University/River Dye route.
This is a ‘runseeing’ tour of Leuven’s beautifully preserved, mainly pedestrianized old town. The route is entirely inside the R23 ring road — the town center is 2.5 km north-south and 2 km east west. Old Town itself is a maze of narrow, winding streets, some lacking names. So, create your own route hitting the highlights or follow the outline of our map below. For a tour with lots of details and specific directions, follow Keith Hauser’s route. Note:some streets are cobblestone.
Sint-Donatus Park. Keith Hauser
Start in the center at Grote Market/Saint Peter’s Church. Head north, following the river, and through De Bruul Park. Head back east, following Sluisstraat north into Park van de Abdij van Keizersberg, where you’ll do a loop and then double back, heading south on the narrow Vaartstraat (or other adjacent street), to Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein — a large square with a neoclassical library. Then head southwest, using the linear park path to run through the lovely Sint-Donatus Park, then staying south of the hospital through the pleasant Groot neighborhood. Turn north, along the river, following paths through numerous small parks, to the Botanical Garden (Kruidtuin). Enjoy a loop there, and then use Minderbroedersstraat to return to the start.
Shorter Option: Can eliminate the Park van de Abdij van Keizersberg or Botanical Garden sections.
Longer Option: Combine with our University/River Dye route.
Scenic university campus, trails along a river with woods, farmland, a castle, and a running track. All in one 7 km out and back run. Can also access from the historic center and extend into the Vijvers van Oud-Heverlee nature preserve.
In southern Leuven, nice running on wooded paths in the Heverleebos, while just west of there are paths along the River Dye and a lake to a castle in the Vijvers van Oud-Heverlee Nature Preserve. Can be combined for a 12 km loop!
There are 4-5 km of paths around fields and lakes in Provinciedomein Kessel-Lo, Leuven's largest park. For a long run, combine with canal paths extending north for several km.
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!