NomadTrails
Vienna Austria is a wonderful city to visit. It is filled with green spaces, centuries of history, a wide variety of cafe and restaurant choices, and a fantastic public transit system. Every day you’ll see thousands of Viennese walking, biking, scootering, or running around their city.
This summer, I’ve had the pleasure of having Vienna be my home base as I jet around Europe and Northern Africa, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the city better. The city is subdivided into 23 districts for ease of navigation and city service execution much like the famous Parisian arrondissements. This running route follows the innermost section of the city, known as the 1st District.
The Ringstrasse (ring road) follows along the former medieval fortifications to the north, west, and south and the Donaukanal (Danube Canal) to the east. It is possible to start your run or walk anywhere along the loop, but for ease of explanation, I’ll begin at the plaza between the Rathaus and the Austrian National Theater.
On the west side of the tree-lined boulevard sits the imposing Wiener Rathaus or Vienna City Hall. The seat of local government was built in the late 1800’s and you can’t miss its Neo Gothic style. After your run be sure to check out the guided tours on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays at 1pm. The tickets are free and while the tours are offered only in German, though they do provide audio guides for free in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Head north in the clockwise rotation, and as you pass the busy metro and tram station of Schottentor, look left to Sigmund Freud park and the Votivkirche. This Neo Gothic church was built in celebration of God saving the Emperor Franz Joseph I from an assassination attempt. As you near the canal, look for the stairs down to the canal off to the right hand side of the entrance to the Augartenbrücke (Augarten Bridge).
This portion of the Ring Road loop is the most peaceful as there are no cars, buses, or trams along the riverfront trail. If you are doing this trail as a walk rather than a run, consider stopping for a coffee at the stylish boat-shaped Motto am Fluss. Or return after your run for a well-earned rest and to take advantage of the great views of the canal from the terrace.
A quarter mile farther on (400m), a small river joins the canal. At this junction an Art Nouveau building housing the Urania Observatory marks our turn south along the trail that follows the river. Continue on this trail until you enter the Stadtpark (City Park). Follow the western bank of the Vienna River and the marble colonnade as you pass several stately steel bridges. At the end of the park scale the wide steps surrounding the Wienflussportal and turn right on Johannesgasse to return the half block to Schubertring to continue the loop.
The Wien Staatsoper (Vienna Opera House) will soon come into view on your right with its soaring arches and bronze statues. One of the most storied opera halls in the world, try to take in a show while you are visiting. If they are sold out, which they so often are, look into a guided tour of the interior.
Rounding out the loop, we pass through the center of the Habsburg dynasty and all the most important museums of Vienna. On your left, is the Museumsquartier, an area of baroque buildings housing the Art History Museum, The Natural History Museum, the Leopold Museum, and others.
On your right, you can’t miss the former main palace of the Habsburg Dynasty, the Hofburg. Since 1279, this area has been the center of power and government. As such, the palace, the gardens, museums, and its monuments are extensive and would take days to cover. For now, marvel at their splendor and continue along the ring to our final stop.
The Parliament and Volksgarten face each other at the southwestern corner of the Ringstrasse. The grand colonnaded Parliament building is impressive, but my favorite park in the city is the lush and colorful Volksgarten. On my last visit, a vast display of roses were in their last throes of life. Color burst out from every corner of the manicured hedges under a royal blue sky.
Finish your run back where you started or returning to the Rathaus where this article began. This loop is a great introduction to the core of a beautiful and vibrant city and was the first thing I did when I returned to Vienna this summer. I ended up making mental notes to return to so many of the wonderful sights I passed on this easy running/walking route and would be a perfect start to your visit here as well.
