Running in Amsterdam - Jordaan area
 

Greetings.
I'm looking for a running route in Amsterdam and am looking for feedback on running on the following streets. I was thinking about running in the Jordaan area staying inside the canals of the rough rectangle of Brouwersgracht to Lijnbaansgracht to Bloemstraat or Lauriergracht and then back on Prinsengracht. We would likely be running around 7:30-8am hopefully before too much traffic is moving. Are there sidewalks/pedestrian zones to run on these streets? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Topping for you....be very careful if you ARE on some of those streets as the pavement can be very uneven

Dukey - nearly all those narrow brick streets along the canal have been redone lately - but still yes watch for lose bricks, etc.

There is rarely any traffic on streets along those canals - off-limits to most drivers i think or few would have occasion to drive on them

I have jogged miles and miles in that area - i believe the streets on both sides of the canals are one-way - i suggest running against the flow of traffic so you can see the cars coming - sometimes at surprising speeds - at you.

Vondel Park is a mega jogging venue for locals - not really that far from Jordaan - but your jogging routes will be just fine - but watch out for the isolated speeding cab.

There are some nice big parks you could run in, and not have to constantly watch for traffic or moving bicycles.. Vondelpark and Rembrandt Park come to mind.

Vondelpark, was going to be my suggestion too. Instead of trying to run along streets/on sidewalks.

It's not much more than a mile or even less from the Jordaan to the entrance to Vondel Park near the Leidesplein - you follow a canal to the Leidesplein and head for the park - the beautiful Vondel Park - the green lung of Amsterdam.

don't peak behind the bushes however as Amsterdam city officials have legalized public sex in the park (as long as it's not in proximity to children's play areas) - a caveat to the gay community.

don't peak behind the bushes however as Amsterdam city officials have legalized public sex in the park (as long as it's not in proximity to children's play areas) - a caveat to the gay community.

REALLY???

Yes jetsetj really but it only applies after dark, and you must clear up afterwards. Vondelpark is an official HOP, as opposed to a vast number of unofficial ones, like nearly every resting place along every motorway, and our local woods. Great fun letting our dogs loose there though :).
Dog walkers in Amsterdam were up in arms about the Vondelpark since they have lost one of the few areas where dogs were allowed to run of the lead in the city since it's HOP designation.
Straight couple can go there too btw. Cruising is not allowed.

There's also a nice path for biking and running in the Westerpark, just north of the Jordaan. Follow it long enough, and you'll eventually come across a windmill.

Yes Westerpark i know really well - hemmed in by the railway lines - many Turks there on a nice day and lots of nice sandy-gravel trails.

Hetismij - HOP - what does that stand for ' "Homo Open Park"?

dank u

Homo ontmoetingsplaats. In this case. Gay meeting place. usually a public area where men sit in cars and wait for casual or internet arranged meetings, before going off into the bushes. Very annoying for the rest of us.

Pressed enter too soon. My husband was recently approached when he took our dogs, in broad daylight to a wood near us, which is frequented by many dog walkers and families. He was not amused. The dogs weren't too impressed either.

I suppose one could make up a tee-shirt to wear that reads "not gay, just walking my dog", lol.

Wanderfer

Like others, I have had the pleasure and opportunity to do some jogging in Amsterdam--great way to work your way out of jetlag. If done early enough in the morning, there is little competition with car traffic but I found the bicycles the most dangerous obstacles--they are prevalent and silent--and they are mostly a foriegn element to us from the States. Be careful, I've witnessed several encounters between pedestrians and bikes--and runners are in the same lanes on the roads.

Have fun--Paul

Hi Wanderfar -

Are you looking for somewhere to take a quick run every morning, near where you will be staying? Or are you looking for the best places to run?

We are Californians currently living in Amsterdam for a year. So my expertise on the city is limited and only recent. But here are my two cents:

Most of the streets in the Jordaan are narrow, very uneven brick streets. Most do not have bike lanes. They usually have sidewalks along at least one side of the street, although the sidewalks are also narrow and very uneven and often broken up by steps, metal parking barriers, etc. that protrude into the sidewalk space. Even when just walking, you often have to step out into the street to get by some obstacle - especially if there are other pedestrians. If you run along the sidewalks, it might resemble "broken-field running" in places!

So I guess it depends on what kind of running you have in mind. If you mainly want to combine a gentle jog with some pretty neighborhood and canal scenery, give it a try. But do watch the pavement and, seriously, the bike riders here are crazy - I say this even though DH and I are now two of them. Bike riders, I mean. Not crazy. ;->

If you want some serious, yet relaxed, running time, I say head for one of the above-mentioned parks or other running paths.

Not sure where you will be staying or how far you want to roam. There's a nice path if you head south along the east side of the Amstel River. You can start around the Waterlooplein metro stop, although the nicest section, IMO, starts around Sarphatistraat, next to the Amstel Intercontinental Hotel and on south. The path goes right next to the river, through some nice quiet older neighborhoods, and is pedestrian-only with a decent flat surface, so you can actually look around as you run and not have to be watching your feet the whole time or dodging bikes/cars. You'll see the "skinny bridge", houseboats, big-river boat traffic, crew teams, swans, etc. while you run along - as you go further south, some areas along the path are grassy tree-lined swaths currently filled with blooming daffodils and crocuses. It's not a spectacular must-see, but it's a "real" part of the city and really a very pleasant area.

Have a great time while you're here!

About the bikes - there are footpaths, marked by the symbol of a man walking a child and there are bike paths - marked by signs with a drawing of a bike on them

footpaths are for foot traffic and bike paths for bikes! Tourists IME often wander into the bike path without realizing it - and you could actually get run down if you do as bikes don't slow down, just swerve trying to miss you (whilst shouting something in Dutch about bike path you idiot)

In vondel park there is a bike path strip on the main jogging path - if jogging be sure to stay out of the bike paths.

Wow!! Thanks for all the very helpful replies, not to mention the education on HOP and new Vondelpark regulations. :) I've printed this out and will be taking it with us. I reply appreciate the comments and well wishes regarding running on the streets as well as the park and other suggestions. NorCalif I hope to try your river path suggestion. Thanks again. I will try to do a full report when we return.