This is a pleasant run on through a couple of pastoral parks on the eastern side of the river, with an option to view some of the major embassies located in Switzerland’s capital.
Elfenau Park. Wikimedia Commons
We begin at Tierpark, which is also the location of the zoo, Dählhölzli + BärenPark. It’s a ~ 2km loop around the park’s wooden paths. Next, head south the Aare River path for ~ 2 km, to reach Elfenau park. The path is quite pastoral, with some water views. Elfenau is one of the more popular walking/gentle hiking spots near Bern, with pretty paths through woods and around fields, and an Orangerie. A loop of the park, which has some hilly spots, is 1-2 km. For the return (1.3 km), retrace your steps along the river path.
Alternative Return/Add-On: Just north of Elfenau is the Brunnadern area, which is a residential area containing numerous embassies. You can use Brunnadernstrasse and then Elfenstrasse, then run through the Tierpark to the start.
Longer Option: Access from Bern (adds 2.6 km one-way).A lovely way to access Elfenau from Bern is to start at the famous Bear Pit (Bärengraben), and run along the Aare river to Tier Park. From Bärengraben, take the river path south to Englische Anlagen (English Garden), which is lined with impressive trees. Continue through the Kirchenfeld (museum quarter) to the zoo/Tierpark.
This is a pleasant run on through a couple of pastoral parks on the eastern side of the river, with an option to view some of the major embassies located in Switzerland’s capital.
Elfenau Park. Wikimedia Commons
We begin at Tierpark, which is also the location of the zoo, Dählhölzli + BärenPark. It’s a ~ 2km loop around the park’s wooden paths. Next, head south the Aare River path for ~ 2 km, to reach Elfenau park. The path is quite pastoral, with some water views. Elfenau is one of the more popular walking/gentle hiking spots near Bern, with pretty paths through woods and around fields, and an Orangerie. A loop of the park, which has some hilly spots, is 1-2 km. For the return (1.3 km), retrace your steps along the river path.
Alternative Return/Add-On: Just north of Elfenau is the Brunnadern area, which is a residential area containing numerous embassies. You can use Brunnadernstrasse and then Elfenstrasse, then run through the Tierpark to the start.
Longer Option: Access from Bern (adds 2.6 km one-way).A lovely way to access Elfenau from Bern is to start at the famous Bear Pit (Bärengraben), and run along the Aare river to Tier Park. From Bärengraben, take the river path south to Englische Anlagen (English Garden), which is lined with impressive trees. Continue through the Kirchenfeld (museum quarter) to the zoo/Tierpark.
A classic European river run, although this one is especially charming. The 7 km loop, on the dedicated Uferweg on both sides of the river, is quite pastoral, with water views, pretty homes, and mountains in the distance.
The southern section of two great routes along the Aare River. This 7.7 km loop heads south to Eichholz state park, passing the Marzili pools and Schönau sports complex, returning on the eastern side. Can combine with north loop.
A nearly 10k 'runseeing' tour of central Bern, including the Inner City (Old Town), with its main squares and fountains, Weisses Quarter, the affluent Schwarzes Quarter, and the Kirchenfeld (Museum District).
Two, non-overlapping routes: a tour of the Kirchenfeld ('Museum District'), including paths along the river and the Tierpark, and a longer route that includes the Klee Museum grounds, the pastoral Murifeld, and Elfenau Park.
A loop around the lovely grounds of the impressive Paul Klee Museum, the large lawns of the adjoining Kleine Allmend Park and Grosse Allmend Park, and ending at the Wankdorf sports complex, which has a great track!
Bremgartenwald is a fantastic spot for a wooded trail run, only 3 km from central Bern. There's a series of marked, color-coded jogging loops from 1.9 km to 17.3 km. Wide paths through the woods with generally good footing.
Fantastic trail running for all abilities on Bern's local mountain, easily reachable by streetcar. Take the funicular to the summit to access 6 marked routes, ranging from a loop around the summit to various ascents/descents.
A lovely spot to run just north of Bern, combining the wooded trails of the Reichenbachwald (Reichenbach Forest) with some paths along the river. A couple of short ferry crossings make it an adventure! Longer options possible.
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