Beer garden round
running track: Hirschgarten, Nymphenburg, Munich West. Route length about three and a half kilometers with a complete circuit of the park.
Start finish: It doesn’t matter because it’s a circuit. You can start anywhere, for example at the beer garden. The direction? Depending on your mood. The big round is recommended, i.e. from the entrance in the direction of De-la-Paz-Straße and on this a bit on the sidewalk. Then turn left back into the park and continue on the outer path. Past the playgrounds to the corner of Arnulfstraße, where there is a small pond, then back to the beer garden, along the park and past the allotment garden settlement. The first round is already done, just repeat it as often as you like, depending on your condition. Steubenplatz is also a good place to start, there is a tram stop there. If you want, you can of course run all over the park on the many paths and paths.
Why this route? Because you are in the middle of the city and yet in a large park. The 40-hectare deer garden is a landscape conservation area and has trees that are up to 250 years old in some cases, dominated by the imposing oaks that provide shade in summer. But there are also generous meadow areas that can be used for a wide variety of leisure activities. In the heart of the park there is an orchard with pear, service pear and walnut trees, chestnuts, wild cherry, mountain ash, hawthorn and birch. Also worth seeing is the game reserve in the beer garden, with fallow and mouflon deer (which you can smell), which at the same time reminds you that in 1870, by order of Elector Karl Theodor, red deer were actually released so that aristocrats could hunt them.
bonus: In the southern part you can leave the main path and run a loop around the barbecue area and the skate park, which also includes a small climb – suitable for working out with a small increase run.
Breather: After at least three rounds you have the right – if the season and weather permitting – to sit down on a bench in the beer garden and have a cold drink of your choice, preferably isotonic. Ralph Toegel
cross country in the city
running track: Isar, ten kilometers.
Start finish: From the Maxwerk below the Maximilianeum over the St. Emmeram Bridge to the Luitpold Bridge in front of the Friedensengel.
Why this route? This section of the Isar is never interrupted by a road or traffic light, it is almost exactly ten kilometers long to the meter and on nice days the path in the north is less crowded than in the south.
bonus: After the Max-Joseph Bridge, climb over the fence to the left and take the footpath directly on the Isar. Not good for fast times, but offers something like cross-country feeling in the middle of the city.
Breather: View from the Isar weir back to Munich. Best at sunset. Martin Schneider
Riverside Run
running track: Isar, between eight and twelve kilometers.
Start finish: From the Alte Utting or the graffiti-covered Boazn “Zur Gruam” in the Lagerhausstraße along the Isar on one side to the Marienklausenbrücke and on the other side back up to the Brudermühlbrücke and back. Can be extended to Großhesseloher Bridge – and other ways.
Why this route? Because it offers so many variants that you never get bored. Anyone who has arrived from the Lagerhausstraße over the small fairytale bridge onto the footpath, surrounded by tall trees and within sight of the Isar, can hardly do anything wrong. It doesn’t matter whether you continue along the small path directly on the riverbank or the paved path: as long as you look in the direction of Thalkirchen and keep to the left, you can’t miss the Flauchersteg. Shortly over the footbridge, down the wooden stairs, then continue between the Isar and the Isar Canal until you come to the Marienklausenbrücke. If you choose the longer, twelve-kilometer route, simply continue straight ahead to the Großhesseloher bridge. Otherwise: Cross the bridge, turn left (you can also trot along to the right here and continue for a longer period) to jog back on the other side of the Isar. Pass the Tierpark Hellabrunn and shortly afterwards either turn left to come back via the Flauchersteg, or straight on to the Brudermühlbrücke and from there into Lagerhausstraße.
bonus: If you want to train your sure-footedness, you can jog along some parts of the route on beaten paths or gravel paths directly along the water.
breather: Best on the Flauchersteg or the Marienklausenbrücke. From both you can observe people or fish and ducks, look into the distance or enjoy the sun with your eyes closed. Anna Turner
urban jungle
running track: Angerlohe in the west of Munich, length variable.
Start finish: Turn into the forest on Manzostraße between the elementary school and the retirement home and follow the winding paths there. Make sure you find your way back.
Why this route? The 40-hectare Angerlohe is an enchanting piece of forest made of oak and hornbeam trees in the northwestern district of Untermenzing. Dead wood is not removed, trees uprooted by the winter storm lie all over the place. It’s really fun to explore the small jungle on enchanted paths, especially because they are not at all overcrowded. If you don’t like it that adventurous, take one of the larger paths that are cleared. You will pass ponds where green toads spawn. Their pattern is funny green and white. Like Werder Bremen. Then past tents artfully erected by children from branches and long tree trunks, on which it is wonderful to balance when it is dry. But beware: If you lose your way, you will quickly have dog poop on your jogging shoes.
bonus: If you want more forest and a lake, cross the Ludwigsfelder Straße in the far north and walk into the Allacher Lohe. The stag beetle crawls there, the lungwort grows – and there is also a forest classroom. The marathon participants are more likely to do their laps in this large, now rare alluvial forest.
breather: The park bench at the forest playground. Or watch the Werder frogs spawn in the pond. Sebastian Winters
Close to the water
running track: West Park.
Start finish: Either on the east side or in the west, get off at Baumgartnerstraße. Length: Five to six kilometers.
Why this route? If you are out and about in Westpark, you will get something on offer. Lots of greenery, two lakes and an extensive network of paths from which new routes can always be composed. The park is a relic of the International Garden Exhibition of 1983. The gentle ups and downs of its hills were intended to bring the foothills of the Alps to the city, including old farmer’s huts along the way. And because there are still Chinese gardens and Thai Buddha statues in the eastern part, a run through the western park is like a little trip around the world. But you are never alone here.
bonus: At the Mollsee in the west, lovers of historical model ships gather, which are then carefully lowered into the water. Because the ducks and geese don’t like to see that and defend their territory, with a bit of luck you can see real water fights.
breather: You have to be in control on this route, because the temptations are numerous, the café “Gans am Wasser” has a formidable ice cream stand. A sweet crêpe is a quick way to make up for lost calories. Thomas Groebner
Many ways lead to the goal
running track: Forstenrieder Park, in the south-west of Munich.
Start finish: Freely selectable.
Why this route? Because of that. Access is possible anywhere on a total area of almost 40 square kilometers between Solln, Pullach, Baierbrunn, Schäftlarn, Starnberg and Neuried. Thanks to the dense network of paths, everything is possible, from a quick three-kilometre after-work lap to an ambitious half-marathon at the weekend (for those who don’t like running, pssst, even cycling). There is enough maneuvering space to avoid each other. But be careful: In Forstenrieder Park it can happen that a deer crosses the path of the runner at dusk. And it is important to keep more distance from the wild boar in the former royal hunting ground than the 1.50 meters practiced in Corona times.
bonus: Forest adventure trail, keep-fit trail, Celtic ski jump, Preysing column – if you want to enhance your round in terms of sport or cultural education, you will find a variety of options in the park that can also be used now. And in the acorn garden, a place for quiet contemplation. Just look at the trees – and let your thoughts run their course.
breather: The Forsthaus Kasten, deep in the north-west between Gauting and Neuried, is a popular family day out thanks to its spacious beer garden and ideal for a rewarding soft drink when the weather is good and the beer garden is open. John Schnitzler