Munich and the Bavarian Lakes

Munich and the Bavarian Lakes

7 night self guided bike tour in Germany

Cycling through the Bavaria region in southern Germany passes majestic mountains, emerald-green lakes and historic villages rich in Bavarian tradition. This bike tour of the region begins and ends in Munich, the region's capital, with such sights as the Marienplatz Square, Frauenkirche Cathedral and Rathaus-Glockenspiel Clock. From Munich you cycle through the diverse landscape of Bavaria, known as "the green roof of Germany."

Cycle past famous Bavarian lakes with excellent water quality, marvel at the majestic mountain ranges, and stroll through flowery, ornate old towns. The towns along this tour are colorful and baroque. Enjoy unspoiled nature and Bavarian tradition. Bavaria gives vitality; Bavaria is enchanting!!

Highlights

• Munich, the captial of Bavaria
• Murnauer Moos Nature Reserve
• Zugspitz, the highest mountain in Germany
• Sylvenstein Lake
• Wallgau, a village rich in Bavarian tradition
• Ride on historical trade routes

Learn More

Learn more about self-guided tours or see more bike tours in Germany.

Daily program

Day 1: Munich
Welcome briefing and bike fitting. Take the evening to explore the many attractions of Munich, Bavaria's capital city.
Overnight in Munich

Day 2: Munich – Murnau am Staffelsee (41 mi/65 km)
From Munich, you cycle through the Forstenrieder Park to Lake Starnberg. Cycling on a path directly on the shores of the lake, you travel to Seeshaupt. Highlights of the day include beautiful Bavarian villages, the Oster Lakes and Riegsee. The final stop of the day is Murnau am Staffelsee.
Overnight in Murnau am Staffelsee

Day 3: Murnau am Staffelsee – Garmisch Partenkirchen (24 mi/40 km)
The day's tour begins in the breathtaking landscape of Murnauer Moos Nature Reserve (the largest swamp area of Central Europe). Passing through the reserve, the route follows the Loisach River to Garmisch Partenkirchen. Today's stage is intentionally brief so you can take the Zugspitzbahn cable car to the Zugspitz, the highest mountain in Germany. Standing 9700 ft/2962 m high, you will have a wonderful view of the surrounding Alps.
Overnight in Garmisch Partenkirchen

Day 4: Garmisch Partenkirchen – Wallgau (27 mi/45 km)
You'll take the train to Scharnitz, 984 ft/300 m high (train ticket is included for the traveler, but bike ticket is not - approximately €5 per bike). From there, the day's route follows slightly uphill terrain through wildly romantic gorges and lush alpine fields to the source of the Isar River. You'll return through a sunny valley that has wonderful panoramas of the Karwendel and Wetterstein Mountains. Passing through Mittenwald, the route ends in Wallgau, a village rich in Bavarian tradition.
Overnight in Wallgau

Day 5: Wallgau – Bad Tölz (31 mi/50 km)
Past the Isarwinkel region, you'll cycle along crystal clear turquoise water to the impressive Sylvenstein Lake. Cycle through Lenggries on the way to Bad Tölz. Bad Tölz, a town at the intersection of two trading routes (the Isar River and the old salt route from Reichenhall to Allgäu), quickly developed into a thriving trading post. Richly ornamented middle-class houses are evidence of the town's golden age.
Overnight in Bad Tölz

Day 6: Bad Tölz – Tegernsee – Bad Tölz (27 mi/45 km)
Today you cycle through the charming landscape of Lake Tegern to Gmund am Tegernsee. Along the Gaißbach Valley, you return to Bad Tölz. The Tölzer Market Street invites you to stroll in the footsteps of the famous television series "Der Bulle von Tölz" (The Cop from Tölz).
Overnight in Bad Tölz

Day 7: Bad Tölz – Munich (38 mi/60 km)
The Isar cycle path takes you through Geretsried and Wolfratshausen on the way to Grünwald. After are a few short climbs, the reward at the end of the day's ride is Munich. Explore countless shops and attractions in Munich.
Overnight in Munich

Day 8: Munich
Today marks the end of your tour. You can either arrange for a taxi to the train station or airport, or extend your stay.

Surface and terrain

The route follows wonderful cycle paths and small side roads with a few, short distances on main roads. The paths are primarily asphalt, though some longer passages are on good forest paths. While there are a few short climbs, they can be handled by pushing the bike.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

The accommodations are mostly 3-star hotels (4-star in Munich).
NYX Hotel München, Munich
www.leonardo-hotels.com

Hotel Angerbrau, Murnau
www.angerbraeu.de

Mercure Hotel, Garmish Partenkirchen
all.accor.com

Hotel Post, Wallgau
www.posthotel-wallgau.com

Kolberbräu, Bad Tolz
www.kolberbraeu.de

Local hotel taxes are not included in the tour price. These taxes typically range from €1-5 per person/night and must be paid at hotel reception upon checkout.

Want to visit other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour Start and End
Nearest airport and train station: Munich (MUC), Germany

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 nights accommodation in selected hotel category
• Breakfast buffet
• Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
• Detailed travel material (1 set per room; route and overview maps, route description, places of interest, important telephone numbers, and signposting along the route)
• 7-day Service Hotline available in case of problems or questions
• Personal welcome briefing
• Train trip from Garmisch Partenkirchen to Scharitz (bike ticket not included, approximately €5 per bike)
• 1 veal sausage breakfast
• GPS data available upon request

Local hotel taxes are not included in the tour price. These taxes typically range from €1-5 per person/night and must be paid at hotel reception upon checkout.

Bike rentals

The bikes available for rent on this tour are:

• Hybrid touring bike, 21-speed, unisex
• Hybrid touring bike, 21-speed, men's frames, crossbar (upon request only)
• Hybrid touring bike, 27-speed, upgrade
• Electrically assisted bike, Pedelec, unisex*

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

Equipment included with the bike rentals:

• Saddle bag (water repellent), rear
• Handlebar bag (water repellent), with clear cover on top for map viewing
• Tools
• Pump
• Repair kit (with extra bicycle tube)
• Combination lock

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are not included with the bike rentals. We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own helmet.

Specifications on hybrid touring bikes

• Modern, high-resistant aluminum frame
• V-brakes
• Aluminium-rims
• Reliable tires, which ensure high duration
• Shimano Alivio derailleur on 21-speed
• Selle Royal Saddles

*Posture for 21-speed hybrid bikes will be upright for comfort

Upgraded components on 27-speed hybrid bikes

• Hydraulic Magura HS 11 brakes
• Shimano Deore XT derailleur on 27-speed
• High-quality Suntour suspension fork

*Posture for 27-speed upgraded hybrid bikes will be upright and forward

Tour Company