How long is the unicorn head route in Berlin?

The unicorn head covers 11.2 km with 25 m of ascent and 26 m of descent. At a steady 6:00/km, allow about 69 minutes plus stops.

Do I need a paid plan to download the GPX?

Yes. The GPX file is included with a ShapeMiles subscription — sign in and subscribe to download it. The file works with Garmin, Coros, Suunto, Strava and any app that reads GPX, and your subscription also covers turn-by-turn navigation in the app and route generation for your own city. The map, elevation profile and kilometre splits on this page are free to view.

How accurate is the drawing?

The track follows real, runnable streets and paths, so the shape is recognisable once uploaded to Strava. The drawing spans about 2.4 km east to west and 2.3 km north to south across Berlin.

Where does the route start?

The start point is at 52.52034, 13.29794 — roughly 7.2 km west of the centre of Berlin. The route is a loop, so you can begin anywhere along the line.

Germany › Berlin › GPS art route

Unicorn head GPS Art Running Route in Berlin — 11.2 km

A 11.2 km loop through Berlin that draws an unicorn head when you upload it to Strava. The line follows public streets and paths, climbs 25 m in total, and covers a footprint about 2.4 km wide by 2.3 km tall.

Navigate it in the app

Distance11.2 km

Elevation gain25 m

Elevation loss26 m

Estimated time69 min

DifficultyModerate

Average gradient0.2%

Route map

Start point: 52.52034, 13.29794 — about 7.2 km west of the centre of Berlin. It is a closed loop, so any point on the line works as a start.

Elevation profile

Measured from the elevation data in the GPX file: 25 m of ascent and 26 m of descent across 11.2 km, an average gradient of 0.2%.

Kilometre by kilometre

Split	Heading	Elevation change	Range
km 1	Runs east-south-east	0 m	33–37 m
km 2	Runs east-south-east	-1 m	33–34 m
km 3	Runs south-east	+1 m	32–35 m
km 4	Runs south	0 m	33–35 m
km 5	Runs south-west	+1 m	34–35 m
km 6	Runs north-west	-1 m	34–35 m
km 7	Runs north-north-west	+1 m	34–35 m
km 8	Runs south-west	0 m	34–35 m
km 9	Runs north-west	0 m	34–35 m
km 10	Runs north-north-east	+2 m	34–38 m
km 11	Runs north-north-west	-3 m	33–37 m
km 11.2	Runs north-west	+1 m	34–34 m

Turn-by-turn outline

The 24 direction changes below are the ones that define the drawing. Hitting them accurately matters more than pace — the shape only reads well if the corners are sharp.

0.08 km — turn right, then continue south-south-east.
0.68 km — turn sharp left, then continue north.
1.12 km — turn left, then continue east-north-east.
2.06 km — turn left, then continue north-east.
2.18 km — turn right, then continue east-north-east.
2.77 km — turn right, then continue south-south-west.
2.93 km — turn right, then continue south-south-west.
3.18 km — turn left, then continue south-east.
3.43 km — turn right, then continue south-south-west.
3.72 km — turn left, then continue south-south-east.
4.09 km — turn right, then continue west-south-west.
4.34 km — turn left, then continue south.
4.61 km — turn right, then continue west-north-west.
4.74 km — turn right, then continue west-south-west.
5.38 km — turn right, then continue north-west.
6.44 km — turn left, then continue west-north-west.
6.59 km — turn right, then continue north.
6.71 km — turn left, then continue north-west.
6.89 km — turn left, then continue south-south-west.
7.10 km — turn right, then continue west.
7.41 km — turn left, then continue south-south-west.
7.66 km — turn right, then continue west.
7.87 km — turn right, then continue north.
8.06 km — turn right, then continue south-west.

Difficulty and terrain

Moderate. Flat profile, but 11.2 km of concentration on the line. Expect the distance, not the climb, to be the limiting factor.

Surface: Smooth park roads, crushed gravel in forest sections, and broad bike-path asphalt.

Safety: Use lit loops after dark; canal paths can be dim in winter evenings.

Best months: April to June and September for stable conditions and race-friendly temperatures.

How to run this shape

Download the GPX file with your subscription and load it onto your watch, or open it in the ShapeMiles app.
Start anywhere on the loop — beginning near a landmark makes the finish easier to find.
Keep GPS recording continuous. Pausing mid-run leaves straight lines that cut across the drawing.
Follow the corners precisely; short detours are what blur the shape.
Upload to Strava and the unicorn head appears on your activity map.

Other GPS art routes in Berlin

All 15 GPS art routes in Berlin

Questions about this route

How long is the unicorn head route in Berlin?: The unicorn head covers 11.2 km with 25 m of ascent and 26 m of descent. At a steady 6:00/km, allow about 69 minutes plus stops.
Do I need a paid plan to download the GPX?: Yes. The GPX file is included with a ShapeMiles subscription — sign in and subscribe to download it. The file works with Garmin, Coros, Suunto, Strava and any app that reads GPX, and your subscription also covers turn-by-turn navigation in the app and route generation for your own city. The map, elevation profile and kilometre splits on this page are free to view.
How accurate is the drawing?: The track follows real, runnable streets and paths, so the shape is recognisable once uploaded to Strava. The drawing spans about 2.4 km east to west and 2.3 km north to south across Berlin.
Where does the route start?: The start point is at 52.52034, 13.29794 — roughly 7.2 km west of the centre of Berlin. The route is a loop, so you can begin anywhere along the line.