Delft is a canal-ringed city that sits between Rotterdam and The Hague. It has a charming historic center. There are some terrific options for running in Delft, including routes showcasing the canals, several parks, and surrounding forests and farms. There are two good canal-centered running options:
Courtesy: Ineke Nel
Main Canal Route (Delftweg). Starting at the Oostpoort city gate, which was built in 1400, one can run along the canal as far as The Hague, which is just over 8 km. It’s a mix of gravel paths, bike paths, and roadside sidewalks, but there are good pedestrian options and water views for nearly the entire 8 km distance to The Hague. You could run one way and take the train back. It’s ~5 km to Rijswijk, which makes for a 10k out and back. For a nice side jaunt, Elsenburgerbos and Wilhelminapark are adjacent to the canal.
Side Canals & Parks. We’ve also mapped another 5k route exploring some of the side canals and small parks in the Voordijkshoorn area. Start in Wilhelminapark (the small one), then run along the path alongside the Buitenwatersloot canal, through Henry Dunantpark, and then enjoy paths around the through a canal-ringed Hof van Delftpark. Continue north along a bike path, then head RIGHT (east) along Kerstanjepad, following the bike path paralleling Pr. Beatrixlaan.
Delft is a canal-ringed city that sits between Rotterdam and The Hague. It has a charming historic center. There are some terrific options for running in Delft, including routes showcasing the canals, several parks, and surrounding forests and farms. There are two good canal-centered running options:
Courtesy: Ineke Nel
Main Canal Route (Delftweg). Starting at the Oostpoort city gate, which was built in 1400, one can run along the canal as far as The Hague, which is just over 8 km. It’s a mix of gravel paths, bike paths, and roadside sidewalks, but there are good pedestrian options and water views for nearly the entire 8 km distance to The Hague. You could run one way and take the train back. It’s ~5 km to Rijswijk, which makes for a 10k out and back. For a nice side jaunt, Elsenburgerbos and Wilhelminapark are adjacent to the canal.
Side Canals & Parks. We’ve also mapped another 5k route exploring some of the side canals and small parks in the Voordijkshoorn area. Start in Wilhelminapark (the small one), then run along the path alongside the Buitenwatersloot canal, through Henry Dunantpark, and then enjoy paths around the through a canal-ringed Hof van Delftpark. Continue north along a bike path, then head RIGHT (east) along Kerstanjepad, following the bike path paralleling Pr. Beatrixlaan.
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Essentials
5 km to Rijswijk, 8.3 km to The Hague.
Flat
Oostpoort eastern city gate is a good starting point for the main canal run; for the Voordijkshoorn, start at Wilhelminapark
Paths along the Nieuwe Maas (river) are the signature running option in Rotterdam. It's not a straight river loop due to the complex geography. We've mapped out loops of 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, with lots of options to vary.
A pleasant run near central Rotterdam incorporating several km of waterside running, with an opportunity to also enjoy the beautifully landscaped Het Park. Nearly 7 km of paths in and out of inlets from Erasmus Br. to Delfshaven. Het Park has 3-4 km of paths.
There's great running in central Rotterdam. This 'overview' and map provides a guide to some of the best spots: Historic center, Maas River paths, Het Park, Heemraadspark linear park, canal paths, Kralingse Lake.
A well-known 15 km loop incorporating five bridges and lots of waterside running, and provides a good overview of Rotterdam's unique geography and some main sights. This follows the course of a popular road race that occurs in early December.
A series of trails in northern Rotterdam, forming a linear park. It's ~8 km from the Tram Museum, north through Prinsenmolenpark, Molenpark, Lage Bergse Bos Park, and Hoge Bergse Bos. Sections along water, in woods, through fields.
Pleasant 5 km loop around the perimeter of this lake. Only 3 km east of the center and easily reachable via transport. Dedicated paths and water views much of the way. Additional paths through woods on northern side of lake.
A fabulous route in eastern Delft, nearly all off road, featuring paths along canals, around lakes, past farm fields and wetlands, and through woods. Use our mapped route as a guideline to create your own route around this area's large network of paths!
This route in Rijswijk, a few km north of central Delft, combines three adjacent parks: Elsenburgerbos, Wilheminapark, Hoekpolder. Combination of paths through woods, around fields and farms, and some canals in Hoekpolder.
A 10k 'runseeing' tour of The Hague's central sections. Features 'Museum Row', the waterside Dutch Parliament and other government buildings, embassies, Koekamp and Malieveld parks, and fun pedestrian zones.
Two wonderful wooded parks for running, easily accessible. Each features long, wide alée-like paths. Scheveningen Woods can be combined with Westduinpark for a longer run. Hague Forest is the oldest forest in the Netherlands.
Extensive network of trails through dunes and woods, ~4.5 km from end-to-end. Located in Kijkduin. Good add-ons are along the beach, or across to port of Scheveningen and its boardwalk and beach running.
Many km of wonderful beach, boardwalk, and coastal park running in The Hague, divided into two areas: Kijkduin and Scheveningen. The beach is wide and quite runnable. Paved options include the 3 km boardwalk, and paths in Westduinpark & Oostduinpark.
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Essentials
5 km to Rijswijk, 8.3 km to The Hague.
Flat
Oostpoort eastern city gate is a good starting point for the main canal run; for the Voordijkshoorn, start at Wilhelminapark
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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!