The most beautiful jogging routes in Bern

Jog through Bern’s old town and discover the numerous sights along the way. These two running routes will undoubtedly wow you. The motto here is: Two birds with one stone: combining sport and culture is easy in Bern. Our City Runs will lead you through Bern’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only will you be jogging past the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) and Bern Minster, but also the BearPark and the «Bundeshaus» (Parliament Building). And if you have a bit more time or energy, we recommend the slightly longer route (seven kilometres). The short but steep ascent to the Rose Garden is rewarded with a spectacular view over Bern’s old town.

Close to Bern’s old town but still in the middle of nature: Just a few minutes’ jog away from the city centre, you can follow the green-blue River Aare around Bern. You can go for a short jog or opt for a longer distance – runners have various options here. The banks of the River Aare are perfect for a jog. Just one look at the urban nature of this route, and it becomes clear why Bern is one of the greenest cities in the world. If you jog through Bern’s famous lido Marzili, you will also have a spectacular view of the «Bundeshaus» (Parliament Building). And in summer, you can cool off in the River Aare afterwards. Please follow the instructions of the SLRG.

«The 10 most beautiful miles in the world»: Are you preparing for the Bern Grand Prix, the largest fun run in German-speaking Switzerland and top-class sports festival? Or maybe you’re looking for a challenge after your extensive training routine? Either way, this jogging route is a true experience: you can train and see some sights at the same time on these 16 kilometres. But be warned: it’s going to be a strenuous session. Our tip is to save enough energy for the steep final ascent to the Rose Garden, because at that point, you’ll still have about a kilometre left until the finish.

Trail running with a view of the capital and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland: this jogging route leads you through the shady forest and up Bern’s local mountain. The trail starts at the Gurten funicular, which can be reached from Bern main station in around 15 minutes by tram number 9, and leads through the forest to the summit of the Gurten. This trail is a great alternative to other jogging routes in the city on hot summer days. Be warned: the ascent is beautiful but tough. But your effort will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the old town and, on a clear day, the peaks of the Bernese Oberland. Take note: there’s four days in July when you should avoid this trail – during the Gurten Festival. Thousands of visitors will be lining the paths of Bern’s local mountain during those days.

Lace up your shoes and off you go! In Bern, there’s no need for an expensive gym membership: on the Bärn-Parcours, you can complement your jogging routine with a few short strength training sessions. All day long and at any time of the year – the BärnParcours Altenberg has no opening hours. You’ll find various posts along the route in regular intervals. The different exercises train endurance, strength and flexibility and also promote mental fitness and creativity. And if that isn’t enough to convince you: the route leads along the banks of the green-blue River Aare. In addition to the BärnParcours Altenberg, you can also find one in Bethlehem, Neufeld, Könizberg forest and Wittigkofen.

Urban nature in Bern: The city of Bern has even more to offer than the River Aare, the Bundesplatz (Parliament Square) or the Zytglogge (Clock Tower): its proximity to the forest where you can run to your heart’s content. The Bremgarten forest has various jogging and walking routes ranging from 1.9 to 17.3 kilometres.The signposted jogging routes start either from the West (Bern Bethlehem) or the East (Bern Neufeld) entrance where you’ll find detailed descriptions of the various routes. You can also visit the website, if you need some inspiration.