This is a classic European river run with paths along the water and pedestrian crossings on every bridge. It’s a great way to see some of Cologne’s most interesting sights, while enjoying water views and dedicated paths the whole way. The central Rhine River paths go for miles in each direction, so we’ve created two separate routes, including a table with segment distances, both starting in the Historic Cologne. The North route is 10k (6.1 miles). Best bridges for crossing: Deutzer Bridge, Hohenzollern Bridge, or South Bridge (Südbrücke).
Zoobrücke (Zoo bridge)
Start at the Deutzer Bridge (Brücke) on the historic Cologne (western) side of the river, and head north toward the Church of Great St. Martin. Pass major sites of historic Cologne on your left, in the first 1/2 km to the Hohenzollern Bridge: Church of St. Martin, Rheingarten, Cathedral, Modern Art Museum, and several other venues if you’d like to take a detour.
It’s 2.2 km to the Zoo Bridge (55a), where the Cologne Zoo is located (look for the gondolas), and an outdoor sculpture park. You can cross here or keep going another 1.8 km (1.1 miles) to the Mülheimer Bridge, along more park
Rheinpark
like terrain and gravel paths. Along some sections of the route, you’ll have a choice of gravel or paved paths. Turn around, or cross over and run south on the eastern side, including paths along a small isthmus, and through the Rheinpark, which includes outdoor stages (Tanzbrunnen) for concerts and a beach park, and the Convention Center just to the east. The eastern side is more park like.
This is a classic European river run with paths along the water and pedestrian crossings on every bridge. It’s a great way to see some of Cologne’s most interesting sights, while enjoying water views and dedicated paths the whole way. The central Rhine River paths go for miles in each direction, so we’ve created two separate routes, including a table with segment distances, both starting in the Historic Cologne. The North route is 10k (6.1 miles). Best bridges for crossing: Deutzer Bridge, Hohenzollern Bridge, or South Bridge (Südbrücke).
Zoobrücke (Zoo bridge)
Start at the Deutzer Bridge (Brücke) on the historic Cologne (western) side of the river, and head north toward the Church of Great St. Martin. Pass major sites of historic Cologne on your left, in the first 1/2 km to the Hohenzollern Bridge: Church of St. Martin, Rheingarten, Cathedral, Modern Art Museum, and several other venues if you’d like to take a detour.
It’s 2.2 km to the Zoo Bridge (55a), where the Cologne Zoo is located (look for the gondolas), and an outdoor sculpture park. You can cross here or keep going another 1.8 km (1.1 miles) to the Mülheimer Bridge, along more park
Rheinpark
like terrain and gravel paths. Along some sections of the route, you’ll have a choice of gravel or paved paths. Turn around, or cross over and run south on the eastern side, including paths along a small isthmus, and through the Rheinpark, which includes outdoor stages (Tanzbrunnen) for concerts and a beach park, and the Convention Center just to the east. The eastern side is more park like.
An 8 km 'Runseeing' tour of Cologne. Highlights include the Historic city, a jaunt along the refurbished Old Harbor along the Rhine, the old city walls in Friedenspark, the paths of Volksgarten, and a final jaunt through Old Town along Quatermarkt.
A "highlights of Cologne" run. Over 13k, enjoy the linear park of the Inner Green-Belt (Innerer Grüngürtel), a section along the Rhine, and then some of the major sights of Historic Cologne.
A classic European river run, this one heads south. The highlight on the west side is the Rheinauhafen waterfront promenade. The eastern side features parks and fields. The full loop to the Rodenkirchener Bridge is 11.5 km.
Linear park formed from the Inner Green-Belt (Innerer Grüngürtel) created in the 1920s. Wonderful run through park paths, makes for a great 5-mile car-free out and back. Options to add-on or do a grander loop.
A wonderful 'ring around Cologne' route, combining the Inner Belt (Innerer Grüngürtel) with a section of the Rhine River paths. Parks, history, and water views...all in one run! Thanks to Francesco Giovanardi for thois route.
A run in the Outer Greenbelt Park (Äußeren Grüngürtel), which is just west of the Rhine in the Raderthal section of Cologne. Paths are a combination of wooded, open, and pond at the western end. A 6.3 mile route covers most of the park.
An open, heath-like area located about 6 km west of Cologne and easily accessible by transit. Criss-crossing gravel paths that are great for running. One can put together about 3 km on the paths.
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!
Subscribe
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Essentials
Full loop is 9.9 km (6.1 miles). See segment chart
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
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!