Escape the Forest Cologne
A toxic cloud threatens the city – and your team has 2 to 3 hours to save it. Escape the Forest turns a park into the playing field – in Cologne we like to recommend the Rheinpark, but you play wherever you want. In small teams you follow clues over meadows and paths via tablet, crack puzzles and race against time. Escape room meets nature – out in the green.
What is Escape the Forest?
Escape the Forest is a mobile outdoor escape game. Many know the principle from the escape room: solve puzzles as a team, combine clues, crack codes and work together against the clock. Only here it does not happen in a closed room, but outdoors in nature – a park or city forest becomes the playing field.
Teams are guided by a game app on a tablet that leads them step by step through the mission. There is no fixed room, no setup and no prior knowledge needed: each team gets its tablet, and off you go. Fresh-air movement meets brainwork – exactly the mix that bonds a team.
Highlights
How Escape the Forest works
The escape room experience in the fresh air – as a mobile game that your team runs through the park on its own.
1 · The story
A toxic cloud spreads over Cologne. Your team slips into the role of scientists who escaped the disaster lab – now you must produce the antidote in the Rheinpark and save the city.
2 · The game
In small teams you follow clues through the park via the tablet, evaluate hints and crack puzzles. Fresh-air movement and brainwork alternate – every solved task brings you closer to the antidote.
3 · The support
Experienced team guides set up the game and are reachable by chat and phone throughout the event. You have nothing to worry about except solving.
4 · The finale
Together against the clock: whoever completes the mission in time saves the city. At the end the winning team is crowned – a moment you'll still talk about over the closing get-together.
Takes place all year with suitable clothing – rain ponchos or sunscreen are included.
Pricing & Services
| Group size | 1.5 – 2 h | 2.5 h | 3 h |
|---|---|---|---|
| from 10 people | from €44.95 | from €47.45 | from €49.95 |
| from 30 people | from €40.45 | from €42.70 | from €44.95 |
| from 50 people | from €38.20 | from €40.35 | from €42.45 |
| from 100 people | from €35.95 | from €37.95 | from €39.95 |
Prices per person, plus statutory VAT.
Individually adjustable: Smaller groups on request, longer event duration, multi-day formats or very specific wishes – we are happy to discuss these in person.
Additional costs: Travel (€0 – 100) plus venue and catering as required.
Scope of Services
- ✓ Planning and execution of the event
- ✓ Provision of complete event equipment
- ✓ Moderation & support by experienced team guides (DE / ENG)
- ✓ Optional with competitive character or as a cooperative team experience
- ✓ Event photos available for download
- ✓ Award ceremony at the end
- ✓ Setup and teardown
Optional Additional Services
- → Individual customizations (puzzles, routes, start and finish points, theme selection, etc.)
- → Branded clothing (T-shirts, hoodies)
- → Winner trophies
- → Event photographer
- → Location scouting
- → Catering and more
We come to wherever you want to play
The beauty of Escape the Forest: we run it wherever it suits your team best – a park, a city forest or another green space, even right on your doorstep. We only give recommendations. For Cologne we especially like to suggest the Rheinpark, because it brings everything a good game needs – which is why it serves as our example here.
Compact on 2–2.5 km
Right on the right bank of the Rhine, a loop of 2 to 2.5 kilometres is easy to lay out in the Rheinpark. Ideal for connecting stations without long distances, so your team stays on the move on foot and keeps crossing paths.
Nature with Rhine and cathedral views
Wide meadows, water features, old trees and the view across the Rhine to Cologne Cathedral – right in the city the Rheinpark feels like a green stage. This backdrop pulls teams straight in.
Many scenes, one mission
The Tanzbrunnen, bridges, lawns and quiet corners turn into puzzle locations. A simple walk becomes a thrilling race against time.
Example Rheinpark: a backdrop that makes your game special
Why do we like to recommend the Rheinpark for Cologne? The roughly 40-hectare park stretches right along the right bank of the Rhine in Deutz – with an open view across the river to Cologne Cathedral. Created on wartime rubble for the 1957 Federal Garden Show, it is today one of the city's most beautiful central green spaces.
You don't need a remote forest for the game: the Rheinpark offers everything a good mission needs in a small area. From the Tanzbrunnen via the water features and lawns to the lower station of the Rhine cable car, paths, bridges and quiet corners become puzzle stations. The loop is just 2 to 2.5 kilometres, so your team is on foot throughout and keeps crossing paths.
And the Rheinpark has a trump card few playing fields offer: nature right on the Rhine, with cathedral views. Between two puzzles your gaze sweeps across the river to Cologne's old town. On request the day rounds off perfectly with a ride on the Rhine cable car – Europe's only river cable car.
Getting there & good to know
The Rheinpark is central in Deutz and easy to reach – e.g. via Köln Messe/Deutz (ICE) or the light rail – ideal when your team arrives from different directions. By car, Cologne is connected via the motorway ring (A1, A3, A4). An Escape the Forest pairs well with a cable-car ride or a meal by the Rhine – just ask us about a supporting programme.
Insider tips for your Escape the Forest in Cologne
A few hints from experience so your team day in the Rheinpark runs smoothly:
🗓️ Best time
From May to September the Rheinpark shows its finest side – ideal for the outdoor game. But it runs all year; with suitable clothing autumn is lovely too, when the park is especially quiet.
👟 Comfortable shoes
Meadows, park paths and riverside trails are part of the Rheinpark. With flat, comfortable footwear your team has more headspace for puzzles and less for sore feet.
🚠 Cable-car bonus
To finish, a ride on the Rhine cable car across the river is worth it – Europe's only river cable car, with views of the cathedral and old town. A lovely add-on straight after the game.
📅 Request early
Popular dates (May–September) book up fast. Requesting early secures your preferred date and enough lead time for individual adjustments.
Where we run team events in Cologne
We bring material, guides and technology. What we need is a place with room. In Cologne it is usually one of these:
Cologne Cathedral
UNESCO Heritage and unmistakable landmark of Cologne. The 157-metre cathedral with 533 steps to the viewing platform is on iconic rally starting point.
533 steps to the viewing platform as a team challengeRhine bank / Old Town
The old town directly on the Rhine with its famous brewery taverns and the Hohenzollern Bridge. Culinarily and visually unique.
Pub rally with a Kölsch tastingRheinauhafen
Modern harbour district with its iconic Crane Houses — on architectural contrast to the medieval old town. Perfect for photos and modern rally stations.
Contrast Modern ↔ Old Town for team photosBelgian Quarter
Hip scene quarter with boutiques, cafés and creative atmosphere. Ideal for relaxed rallies and creative team tasks.
Trendy cafés as stop-off stationsGetting to Cologne
Most teams arrive in the morning and start straight away. This is how you reach Cologne:
- Rail: ICE rail hub, Köln Hbf direkt at the cathedral
- Car: A1/A3/A4 kreuzen sich bei Köln, oft Stau
- Airport: Köln/Bonn Airport ca. 15 km, S-train station 15 min
- Getting around: Köln is has strong public transport (KVB with citybahn, Bus, Regio). For visitors: Köln Hbf direkt neben the Dom, airport Köln/Bonn by S-Bahn in 15 Min reachable.
Where to eat afterwards in Cologne
After two to three hours out and about people are genuinely hungry. For the round after Escape the Forest we recommend Brauhaus Früh am Dom (up to 300 people); we can book it for you.
| Venue | Cuisine | Capacity | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brauhaus Früh am Dom €€ | Kölsch/brewery | up to 300 people | at the cathedral | Das berühmteste brewery Kölns, direkt at the cathedral |
| Gaffel am Dom €€ | Kölsch/brewery | up to 200 people | stationsvorplatz | Traditionelles brewery with rheinischer cuisine |
| Peters Brauhaus €€ | Kölsch/Traditionell | up to 150 people | old town | Gemütliches brewery with kölscher Lebensart |
| Haxenhaus zum Rheingarten €€ | Deutsch/Regional | up to 250 people | old town/Rheinufer | Large Terrasse at the Rhein, hearty cuisine |
| Gilden im Zims €€ | Kölsch/Modern | up to 400 people | Heumarkt | Größtes brewery the Stadt, also for very large Gruppen |
Staying overnight in Cologne
For teams travelling from further away or staying for the evening: these places in Cologne are used to groups.
| Hotel | Rooms | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excelsior Hotel Ernst ★★★★★ €€€€ | 140 | Right on the cathedral | Legendäres Grandhotel seit 1863, beste Lage |
| Maritim Hotel Köln ★★★★ €€€ | 454 | Heumarkt | very large Kapazität, centrale Lage |
| Hilton Cologne ★★★★ €€€ | 296 | cathedral/main station | Right on the cathedral, modern Design |
| Motel One Köln-Mediapark ★★★ € | 413 | Mediapark | Design-Budget, good ÖPNV-Anbindung |
| 25hours Hotel The Circle ★★★★ €€ | 207 | in the Gerling Quartier | Stylisches design hotel, Rooftop-Bar |
Weather in Cologne: when outdoor makes sense
Escape the Forest takes place entirely outdoors. Best time for it in Cologne: Mai bis September. The table helps with picking a date, the current month is marked.
| Month | Ø °C | Rain days | Sun h/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3 | 11 | 2 |
| Feb | 4 | 9 | 3 |
| Mar | 8 | 10 | 4 |
| Apr | 12 | 9 | 5 |
| May | 16 | 10 | 6 |
| Jun | 19 | 10 | 7 |
| Jul | 21 | 10 | 7 |
| Aug | 21 | 9 | 6 |
| Sep | 17 | 9 | 5 |
| Oct | 12 | 9 | 3 |
| Nov | 7 | 10 | 2 |
| Dec | 4 | 11 | 1 |
- Spring: The Rhine invites you back to the riverbank and the first beer gardens open. A perfect start for outdoor events with a view of the cathedral.
- Summer: High season for Rhine events and pub rallies. Cologne's mild climate makes even hot days bearable.
- Autumn: Golden autumn on the Rhine with mild temperatures. Ideal for city rallies. Note: the Anuga fair in October fills the city.
- Winter: Indoor season: brewhouses, hotels and meeting rooms. The Christmas market at the cathedral as a highlight stop.
Event impressions
This is what Escape the Forest looks like in action – teams out in nature, puzzles in hand, together against the clock.
Good to know before you ask
The four points people ask about most often, straight from our terms and conditions.
Rebooking is free
Moving your event to another date costs nothing, at any time.
Free cancellation up to 7 days before
Up to seven days before the event you can cancel at no cost. From seven days onwards the full price applies.
Final headcount 7 days before
Tell us the final number up to seven days before. Adding people later is always possible at the same price per person.
Invoice after the event
Up to 5,000 € net you pay in one go after the event. Above that, 50 % on signing and the rest afterwards.
Full details in our terms and conditions.
Talk to us directly
René Weinert answers the phone himself. Since 2001, more than 100,000 participants.
Off the shelf – or your own theme
Escape the Forest works straight away as a ready-made format. Those who want it more individual can help shape it – because sometimes a team event should sound like your team, not like a template.
Adapt the theme
Instead of the classic toxic-cloud story, the framework can be adjusted and varied – just ask us about the possibilities. The park stays the playing field, the narrative becomes yours.
Customise individual puzzles
On request we weave company-specific terms, insider references, numbers or a link to your business into selected puzzles. Small touches with a big "aha" effect for the team.
To be honest: not everything is possible, and a fully custom game needs some lead time – but in consultation a surprising amount can be done. Just tell us what you have in mind.
More team event ideas in Cologne
Escape the Forest is not the only thing we put on in Cologne. These formats also fit:
Perfect for which occasions?
Escape the Forest suits groups of 10 to 200 people – from a small team day to a large company event. Especially popular for company outings, team building, kick-offs, conference side programmes and club outings in Cologne.
Frequently asked questions about Escape the Forest Cologne
How long does Escape the Forest Cologne take?
Usually 2 to 3 hours. We adjust the exact duration to your schedule.
Where does the event take place in Cologne?
That's up to you. We run Escape the Forest wherever you like – in a park, city forest or on a suitable site, also near you. For Cologne we like to recommend the Rheinpark (central in Deutz, easy to reach by train and light rail); we agree the exact starting point with you.
Do we need prior knowledge or an app?
No. Each team gets a prepared tablet with the game app. Our guides explain operation and rules before the start – anyone can play.
What does Escape the Forest in Cologne cost?
From €44.95 per person. Larger groups receive discounts: 5% from 30, 10% from 50 and 15% from 100 people.
What happens in bad weather?
Escape the Forest takes place all year with suitable clothing. Rain ponchos or sunscreen are included – and the park offers plenty of trees as shelter during a shower.
Where in Cologne do outdoor events take place?
Most often we use the Kölner Dom, the Rheinufer with the Hohenzollernbrücke and the Rheinauhafen. All places suit groups of 10 to 200 people; for larger groups we clarify the space in advance.
When is the best time for an outdoor event in Cologne?
Mai bis September. Outside these months we plan an indoor alternative in the same quote, so you do not have to rebook if the weather turns.
How do participants from out of town get to Cologne?
By rail: ICE rail hub, Köln Hbf direkt at the cathedral. For overnight stays, Excelsior Hotel Ernst is a proven choice for groups.
Escape the Forest in other cities
Experience our mobile outdoor escape game in other cities too – in a park or city forest near you:
Show all cities here
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