DOG WALKING IN AND AROUND BERLIN
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Being a dog in the big city can sometimes have its disadvantages; first and foremost, there is a lack of endless greenery, where you can sniff so wonderfully right on your doorstep. But that doesn't mean that there are no other options for soaking up exciting smells in the city. We have collected our favorite dog walks in and around Berlin for you, which are both particularly dog-friendly and easy to reach by public transport. Put on your comfortable shoes and off you go!
GRUNEWALD AND GRUNDEWALD LAKE
The area around Grunewaldsee is like a huge dog party. Especially at weekends, this is a popular meeting place for all furry friends. Dogs are allowed to walk here off the lead on the paths, whether on the main path around the lake (this is where most of the action is) or off the beaten track through the forest. In the lake, the dogs swim after sticks, wildly catch their balls and dash across the adjacent sand with breathtaking jumps over the roots, between the trees and over any dog that is even a little smaller than themselves. Alternatively, you can choose one of the less frequented, hilly paths to do your rounds in peace.
Despite all the fun, we only recommend a trip to the Grunewald if you are at least 90% confident in your dog's recall skills, even if there is no leash requirement here. It's a big dog party and with all the new smells and exciting possibilities, it can sometimes lead to sensory overload. And we all know it: even very well-behaved dogs tend to only perceive their master or mistress very selectively. So it's worth taking lots of treats with you.
Recommended times
On weekdays all day before sunset At weekends in the morning or after 2 p.m.
Directions
By car to Clayallee (free parking) or to Hüttenweg (parking 0.50 € per hour) By bus to Chalet Suisse (115, X10, X83)
TEMPELHOFER FELD
For anyone from Berlin, the famous, disused airport is probably no longer a novelty. Tempelhofer Feld, with its kilometers of runways, offers a panoramic view in the middle of bustling Neukölln. People barbecue on the surrounding lawns, skate on the asphalt, ride racing bikes and run, romp and play in the various fenced-in dog exercise areas.
Not only are free poop bags available on site, but there are also numerous options for agility training such as a seesaw, steps, different surfaces and much more for practicing and boosting your dog's self-confidence. The green area is a popular meeting place for friendly dogs from the neighborhood, who will be exhausted for the rest of the day after the extensive mental and physical exercise - that much is clear.
Outside the fenced-in dog areas, four-legged friends must be kept on a lead. This is for their own safety as well as the safety of all those who are racing around the huge asphalt tracks and practising their next trick.
Recommended times
On weekdays and at weekends all day until sunset
It can get very crowded on warm days
How to get there
By car to Platz der Luftbrücke or P+R Tempelhof (parking is free and subject to a charge)
By S-Bahn or U-Bahn to Tempelhof, Platz der Luftbrücke, Hermannstraße or Boddinstraße
BERLIN TIERGARTEN
What Central Park is to New Yorkers, Tiergarten is to Berliners. Centrally located in the capital, the park is divided into six parts, which are surrounded by several main roads around the Victory Column. Even though the Tiergarten is not explicitly a dog run, the mix of open meadows, nature and rose gardens transforms the park into one of the best destinations for daily walks. The fact that the garden is dotted with statues and botanical gardens in miniature also shows that dogs must be kept on a lead here. Officers occasionally stroll through the park, which is why you should not let your dog run free even when it is apparently quiet. Breaking the rules can result in a fine of up to 60 €.
Recommended times
Weekdays and at weekends all day until sunset.
How to get there
By car to Café am neuen See (parking fee applies)
By S-Bahn to Tiergarten station
By bus (N26, 100, 200)
FOREST GRUNEWALD/TEUFELSSEE
Looking for even more adventure? On the other side of the Grunewald forest, you will find a secluded footpath surrounded by lush green tranquillity. If you keep following the path, you will reach the summit of the Drachenberg, whose path eventually leads to the peaceful Teufelssee.
A little warning
The paths here are neither paved nor professionally laid out. Some areas are therefore quite steep or even dangerous. Enter only at your own risk.
How to get there
By car to Teufelsseechaussee (free parking)
By S-Bahn to Grunewald or Heerstraße station (15-minute walk to the start)
By bus (186, 349, M19)
ARKENBERGE/BLANKENFELDE
A (still) relatively unknown tip is the extensive dog walk through Arkenberge/Blankenfelde. Quite remote and with long paths, it takes at least two hours to complete a loop through the green idyll. The paths are surrounded by small hills and endless meadows, and your dog can enjoy a good sniff in the untouched forest. But don't be fooled by the seemingly endless expanse: There will be plenty more walkers:inside, as the area is quite popular among Berlin dog walking teams. So be sure to bring a leash and treats in case your dog decides to follow the wonderful scent of others.
Please note that the small canal along the entrance is not suitable for swimming. Lake Arkenberg is also not tested bathing water, even though many people (and their dogs) swim in it. When walking here, it is always worth thinking a few steps ahead, as the terrain can quickly become hilly and steep.
Recommended times
On weekdays and at weekends early in the morning or late in the afternoon before sunset.
How to get there
By car to the road to Arkenberge or the main road (free parking)
By bus 107
TREPTOWER PARK/PLÄNTERWALD
The magnificent park of former East Berlin: it is also particularly popular with walkers without dogs and children. The 88-hectare Treptower Park with the adjoining Plänterwald forest is a wonderfully pleasant green space for long, relaxing walks. A bridge connects the rest of the park with a small dreamy island in the middle of the lake (Insel der Jugend); this is another reason why Treptower Park is considered an ideal refuge and sanctuary from the fast-paced lifestyle in the city. Although there are the perfect places for dogs to play and run around, the proximity to busy roads means that for safety reasons it is better not to let them run around off the lead. Even if many visitors seem to ignore the large signs, we recommend keeping your dog on a lead.
Recommended times
Weekdays and weekends between 9 am and 4 pm
It can get very busy on warm days.
Directions
By car to the Bulgarische Straße parking lot
By S-Bahn to Treptower Park (2-minute walk)
By bus (165, 166, 265, N65)