Although I Have Not Been Living In The Nice...

Neckarsteinach, Germany

Although I have not been living in the nice little town of Neckarsteinach for some years, here is my favorite flat running course. Over the years I ran more than 2000 kilometers just on this course. You start at the watergate of Neckarsteinach in the federal State of Hesse (if you arrive by car, there is a parking place just on the other side of the street; if you arrive by train, the railway station is only 400 meters away). After crossing the watergate you just entered the federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg, run down the stairs and downstairs and turn left. After passing a camping area turn left before an acre, and after passing the camping area again, turn right and run along the bank of river Neckar until you reach the village of Rainbach. Keep on running along the bank of river Neckar on the sidewalk of a small street heading towards Neckargemünd. Pass the bus station after 2.88 kilometers and reach a train bridge in Neckargemünd. Cross the river again on the footbridge below the train bridge and have finished 4.7 kilometers on the other side. Then turn right and take the first footpath leading down to the bank of the river. There you turn left and continue running on the bank of the river heading to Neckarsteinach. Just before reaching Neckarsteinach again you see a tourist hotel on your left side, and there you have finished 7.18 kilometers. When back in Neckarsteinach, you have to cross a bridge over the creek Steinach and reach the starting point of the course after 9.13 kilometers. Because of the beautiful views available on the four castles of Neckarsteinach, on the castle of Dilsberg and on the Neckar valley, this course invites to be ran repeatedly (my standard was two repeats, maximum was five). I hope, you enjoy the running and the views! You may find a satellite photo with inscribed course at www.stamm-wilbrandt.de/en/Neckarsteinach.html.