Great Runs in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the business and cultural center of the Netherlands. With its historical canals, beautiful older buildings, and wonderful museums, Amsterdam attracts 5 million visitors annually. This pedestrian and cycling friendly city is also a haven for runners. Highlights include the walkways along the canals, lovely runs along the Amstel River, and some of the city’s beautiful parks, notably Vondelpark, Rembrandtpark, and Westerpark. Further afield, Sloterpark and Amderstam Bos (near the airport) are good running destinations and easy to get to. The Olympic Stadium, built for the 1928 games, is a good add-on or departure point for routes in this area. The city is very compact — the canals and Amstel river form sort of a half circle around the city, and it is only a few km from central station to the city’s outer beltway, the A10. Nearly all our ‘iconic’ runs are easy to reach from a centrally located hotel or the convention center.
Amsterdam is famously flat. Best ‘hills’ are some of the upward slopes of the canal bridges(!), and in the Bos and Rembrandtpark. The city’s infrastructure is defined by the water, some 400km of bike paths, and a great public transportation system. The metro mainly radiates out but only has Central station, Nieuwmarkt, and Waterlooplein in the central. The tram system is the best way to get around the core. Amsterdam’s climate is influenced by water and the North Sea. Summers are mild and never overly hot. But it is humid. It can be rainy throughout the year but can be especially damp in winter. Winters are chilly, but frigid temps and snow are rare.
The Iconic Routes
- The Canals
- Amstel River Tour
- Amstel River toward Ouderkerk aan de Amstel
- Vondelspark and Rembrandtpark
- Amsterdam North
The Routes
Amsterdam’s Canals
Various options for length. Good starting point is Royal Palace. MAP
Running along Amsterdam’s historic canals forms one of of the most unique runs in the world. There is a series of four canals forming a half-circle “ring” around old Amsterdam, lined by gracious older homes (grachten, some now offices) and some of Amsterdam’s famous sites. From inside to outside: Singel; Herengracht (Patricians), Keizersgracht (Kaiser), and Prinsensgracht (Prince) canals. They are all lovely, perhaps the prettiest is the Herengracht.. You can make your own route, going up and down each. It’s a max of ~2 miles from from the Brouwersgradt to the Amsetel River along the outer (Prince) canal. If you run the length of each of the canals, it’s ~6.5 miles, but it’s more fun to do a bit of each, and mix up the bridges. Get a map and do a ‘jogging tour’. But go early or on Sunday mornings — it can be very crowded, with people and bikes.
Vondelpark and Rembrandtpark
Vondelpark: 2.5 mile loop. Start: Park entrance. Access: ** MAP
Vondelpark & Rembrandtpark: 5.5 mile loop. MAP
At 120 acres, Vondelpark is the largest park in Amsterdam, very popular and centrally located — less than 1km away from Museumplain (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum, and the concert hall). There are lovely paths and gardens, an open air theater, statue of the poet Vondel, the cast iron music dome, the Groot Melkhuis with playground for children, and the historical Pavilion with its restaurant Vertigo. A tour of the park’s outer paths is 2.5 miles.
A wonderful combination run is to add Rembrandtpark, which makes for a 5.5 mile loop. Rembrandtpark has lovely with ponds, playgrounds, walking and biking paths, the oldest petting zoo in Amsterdam…and some small hills! There’s a good connection in our map.
Westerpark
3.5 mile loop. Start: Haarlemmerplein Tram/Bus station. MAP
This is a pleasant urban park in the western part of Amsterdam. Easily reachable by bus or tram. Lots of trails, some paved. The verdant space of the former Westergasfabriek gasworks along Haarlemmerweg has become a place for cultural avant-garde businesses and events. There’s also a cool art house movie theater in a former factory. A run along the perimeter is about 3.5 miles. Near the tram station is an art house movie theater dating back to 1912 and Two for Joy Coffee Roasters.
Amstel River ‘Beltway’ Tour
6.5 miles. Start: Central Station or any other point. MAP
The Amstel River serves as sort of a water beltway around central Amsterdam, in sort of a half-circle. A fun run, especially early, is to follow the river around the city, mainly along the S100. There are not water views the whole way, but provides access to some of the city’s main sights. Starting at Central Station (or any point that works for you), run along the canal to the border of Wesrterpark, and the outskirts of the Jordaan area. Ann Frank house off Blooemgracht/S105 at mile 1.7, Rijkemuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the ‘Heineken Experience’ at mile 3. Nice detour at mile 4 where the S100 hits the S112 and you can head left to see Koninklijk Theater Carré and Hermitage Museum. Tropenmuseum at mile 4.5. The last 2 miles skirt the eastern docklands and provide access to the Tropenmuseum of Ethnography, the Verzetsmuseum of WWII Dutch resistance, botanical gardens, Rembrandt House, Maritime Museum, and Science Center.
Amstel River to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel
Multiple Mileage options. From Amsterdam to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is ~7 miles. Start: Magere Brug (‘Skinny Bridge”), or Amstelpark. MAP
Running along the Amstel River is one of the running treats of Amsterdam. It’s also a great way to get a long run in and get away from the crowds. There are many options here for running here. One goal, popular among cyclists and also distance joggers, is to go to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. From central Amsterdam, it’s ~7 miles one way. Or, start at Amstel Park, which saves 3 miles and the most crowded city sections. Ouderkerk is a cute little town. From there, a great add-on is the Ouderkerk Plas run around the lake, which adds ~3 miles from the town. You can run on one side of the river and then back on the other, although the Weesperzijde is in spots better for runners.
Our map has the full ~17 miles from Amsterdam to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, including the lake tour, so you can choose your options. One option is to run one way and take transport back to Amsterdam. About 40 mins. using the 300 bus from town to the Bijlmer ArenA metro station.Some key distance segments:
- Magere Brug to Amstelpark: ~3m
- Amstelpark to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. ~3.8m
- Ouderkerk aan de Amstel to Lake and around: ~3m
Note: After Restaurant Riva (just past Amstel Station), the route takes a turn up by the road where the Amstel bends to the west. Look for the signs to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel and don’t miss the turn back to the path.
Sloterpark
~4 mile perimeter loop. Start: any part of park. MAP
Access: Jan van Galenstraat metro or #14 tram from Dam Square
At 300 acres, Sloterpark is Amsterdam’s largest park. It was developed in the 1950s using excavated soil. There are lovely nature trails through the park, and separate pedestrian and biking trails in spots. A highlight is the loop around the lake, Sloterpas, which is about 4 miles — including the slightly more rugged Het Ruige Riet (Rough Reeds) nature reserve in the northwest corner of the park. The park has an Olympic size swimming pool, an outdoor pool, gym facilities, and sailing and watersports clubs. For a longer run, Rembrandt park is 1km to the east.
Amsterdamse Bos (Woods)
~9m around perimeter, 2.3m around De Poel Lake, 3.1m around Bosbaan
Start: good parking lot in park. Olympic Stadium nearby.
Amsterdame Bos is a large and lovely park southwest of the city and near the airport. There’s a large number of nature paths. It’s about 9 miles around the perimeter. Highlights include the 2.3 bucolic paths around De Poel lake, and 3.1 miles around the Bosbaan rowing lake. There’s a spa sport hotel in the area, and after your run, enjoy pancakes at Meerzicht Farm. This is a great running option right near the airport. Can be combined with Kalfjeslaan/Buitenveldert, below. Also, a good starting point or side trip is the 1928 Olympic Stadium.
Kalfjeslaan/Buitenveldert
4.5 miles. Start: metro Uilenstede, Amstelveen. MAP
In the southern part of Amsterdam, the Buitenveldert is the modern Jewish neighborhood of Amsterdam. The area is also near the convention center. There is some lovely running along here. The Kalfjeslaan is a 2+km car-free “lane” with trees lined up on both sides, especially pretty in autumn. Our route also includes a jaunt in the Amstelpark, a park near the convention center (RAI), and the Gijsbrecht van Aemstelpark, with its trails, playgrounds, and art. Just to the north is the urban campus of University of Amsterdm and a major hospital. And just to the west is Amsterdam Bos. There are also some pleasant streets for running in the neighborhood. Olympic Stadium nearby is a good side jaunt.
Amsterdam North
8.2 miles and options for longer & shorter. Start: North Amsterdam Ferry Terminal. MAP
Take a ferry over to Amsterdam North for some nice running variety. North Amsterdam was a historically industrial area, but has gradually transformed into an arts and cultural area, with trendy galleries, cafes, and restaurants. It is a lot less crowded and touristy here. There waterfront area is great, with great cafes, the EYE Filmmuseum, pleasant neighborhoods such as Nieuwendam, Ransdorp and Zunderdorp, and great parks and waterside running. The best bet is to start from the ferry terminal and follow the Buiksloterdijk along the canal, through Noorderpark, crossing the A10 and then looping back through Baanakkerspark and Vliegenbos. For an even longer run, once you are north of the A10, there is great terrain for running.
STAY
As a popular city for business and leisure travelers, Amsterdam is a large selection of hotels. Most of the city’s hotels are in the city core, inside the S100, which like the river, forms a half-circle around the city. There are also lots of hotels near Vondelpark and the Rijksmuseum. Any of these will provide good access to some of the best running places to run in Amsterdam. There aren’t many hotels or great running options east of the S100. Amsterdam North has some hotels, nice neighborhoods, and some good running options. A couple of particular recommendations:
- Inntel hotels Amsterdam Center. Centrally located and adjacent to great fitness center
- Marriott. Good hotel gym and 2 miles from Vondelpark.
- NH Amsterdam Center. Near Vondelpark and decent fitness center
Running Stores
There’s a great selection of centrally located running shops, especially for a city of Amsterdam’s modest size. Runnersworld is the main specialty running store in Amsterdam with several locations.
Stores (see map)
Runnersworld. Several locations in Amsterdam.
Front Runner. Centrally located, on Kalverstraat.
De Trek Barefoot. Focus on barefoot shoes, for running and other purposes.
Run2Day. Near Vondelpark. Another location in Oosterpark.
All4running. Near Vondelpark.
Run-Inn. Oostport.
Group Runs & Community
Running Junkies is a running group for more serious runners.
Group runs Tuesdays 19:00 @ Tjins, Wednesdays 19:30 @ Run2Day, and Thirsty Thursdays 19:00 @ ASV Arsenal.
Run2Day. Group Runs Saturday 9:30am from store
EVENTS
Amsterdam Marathon. October. Starts in Olympic Stadium. Flat course!
Dam to Dam Run. September. Fantastic race attracting 50,000 runners. Part of a huge weekend attracting 88,000 people, with running, walking, cycling events and even a night event! The race is 10 miles one way from Amsterdam, through the tunnel, and to the dam in Zaandam. MAP
Gaasperplasrun. June. Popular but small.
Rondje Mokum (Amsterdam Circuit). There are 7 events that are part of Amsterdam’s ‘running circuit’. Mostly 10ks but one 15k.
