Bavarian Lakes. Photo via fotopedia:faceymcface1 Street art on Kaufingerstrasse on Marienplatz in Munich. Photo via Wikimedia Commons: David Iliff

Bavarian Lakes

Germany Bike Tour

Colorful and Baroque describe the towns you’ll encounter on this tour of the most famous Bavarian Lakes! Starting in Munich, home of the great Oktoberfest, the tour rides through the Forstenrieder Park to Lake Starnberg and Lake Seeshaupt. Scenic bike paths lead further through unspoilt Bavarian villages, past the Oster Lakes to Murnau am Staffelsee. Following is a ride through Murnauer Moos, the biggest moor region in Central Europe, and along the Loisbach River to Garmisch Partenkirchen. This stage is short so you can take the Zugspitzbahn high up to get a great view of the Alps. Day 4 starts with a train ride to Scharnitz, then through wildly romantic gorges and lush alpine fields to the source of the Isar.

The wonderful Karwendel and Wetterstein Mountains through Mittenwald Forest make up the trek to Wallgau while Bad Tölz’s former golden age is revealed in its richly adorned houses. The Isar bike path takes you through Geretsried and Wolfratshausen back to Munich.

Where You’ll Stay

Very nice, comfortable 3 and 4 star hotels.

What’s Included

  • 7 night accommodations
  • Personal welcome meeting
  • Breakfast buffets
  • White sausage breakfast
  • 21/24-speed hybrid bicycle
  • Luggage transportation
  • Route descriptions & maps (1 set per booked room)
  • Train Garmisch Partenkirchen to Scharitz (bike not incl., approx. €3)
  • 7 day service hotline
  • Sign posted route

Bavarian Lakes Map

Book This Trip

TourBike
TypeSelf Guided
SkillEasy
Length8 days
From€698
Print Tour

Tour Dates

  • Daily from April 20 to September 12, 2012. Or from Sept 13 to the 30th starting/ending at Starnberger See (lake).

Skill Level

Easy self-guided hotel tour

Easy self-guided hotel tour. Distances cycled per day range from 22 to 40 miles. Mostly flat with a few short ascents. You’ll ride on great bike paths and small side streets; main roads only for short distances. Day 6 in Bad Tölz can be used as a day of rest.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Bavarian Lakes Map

The below itinerary is for the 8 day/7 night tour:

  1. Arrival in Munich.
  2. Munich – Murnau am Staffelsee (Lake), 41 mi. (65 km)
  3. Murnau – Garmisch Partenkirchen, 25 mi. (40 km)
  4. Garmisch Partenkirchen – Wallgau, 28 mi. (35 km)
  5. Wallgau – Bad Tölz, 31 mi. (50 km)
  6. Bad Tölz – Lake Tegern - Bad Tölz, 0-28 mi.  (0-45 km)
  7. Bad Tölz – Munich, 41 mi. (65 km)
  8. Departure from Munich.

Tour is also available as 7 days / 6 nights, without Day 6, so no excursion to Tegesnee (lake).  

Tour is also available as 9 days / 8 nights, with an additional overnight at Starnberger See (lake) during the tour from Munich to Murnau.  

    Day 1: Arrival in Munich.
    Shortlly after arrival in the afternoon, you will have a welcome briefing and be give your rental bikes.  You can take the rest of the day to explore Bavaria's capital city, visiting sights such as the English garden, town hall, or the Hofbräuhaus (brewery).  

    Day 2: Munich - Murnau am Staffelsee (Lake), 41 mi. (65 km)
    In the morning you will have an information meeting and your bikes will be distributed. From Munich you bike through the Forstenrieder Park to lake Starnberg. After Starnberg, cycling on the peaceful bike path you go to the shores of lake Seeshaupt. You will experience unspoiled Bavarian villages as you pass the Oster Lakes and the Rieg See to end up in Murnau am Staffelsee.

    Day 3: Murnau - Garmisch Partenkirchen, 25 mi. (40 km)
    Today the bike paths first lead you through the Murnauer Moos nature reserve (one of the biggest in Central Europe). It doesn't get much better than cycling through Germany's unspoiled nature, following the Loisbach river you will find yourself ino Garmisch Partenkirchen. Today's cycling is short on purpose so that you can take a journey 2,962 m high on the Zugspitzbahn. From here you have an amazing view of the Alps.

    Day 4: Garmisch Partenkirchen - Wallgau, 28 mi. (35 km)
    You bridge 200 meters of altitude to Scharnitz by train. In Scharnitz you will hop back on your bike. The path ahead is slightly uphill through wildly romantic gorges and lush alpine fields to the source of the Isar river. You bike back through the sunny high-lying valley with wonderful panoramas of the Karwendel and Wetterstein Mountains. Eventually you bike through Mittenwald (forest) to Wallgau - a village which still promotes Bavarian tradition.

    Day 5: Wallgau - Bad Tölz, 31 mi. (50 km)
    Out of Wallgau you pass Isarwinkel, following the turquoise-blue water to the impressive Sylvenstein Lake. Crossing the charming landscapes surrounding Lenggries you will come to Bad Tölz. This town is famous for being the crossing of two trading routes (the Isar and the old salt route from Reichenhall to Allgäu. Bad Tölz developed quickly into a booming trading post. The richly decorated middle class houses are evidence of the golden age.

    Day 6: Bad Tölz - Lake Tern - Bad Tölz, 0-28 mi.  (0-45 km)
    No better way to start your day than biking through the charming landscape of Lake Tegern to Gmund am Tegernsee with a picturesque lake view. Along the Gaiβbach Valley you cycle back again to Bad Tölz. The thermal springs of the famous spa "Alpamare" will make your tired muscles feel like new again. The Tölzer Market St. invites you to stroll in the footsteps of the famous television series "Der Bulle von Tölz" (The Cop from Tölz).

    Day 7: Bad Tölz - Munich, 41 mi. (65 km)
    The Isar bike path takes you through Geretsried and Wolfratshausen to Grünwald. You have to overcome a few short ascents before reaching the Bavarian capital Munich with its numerous places of interest.

    Day 8: Individual departure from Munich.

    DAILY ITINERARY FOR ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE STARNBERGER SEE (LAKE): 

    Day 1: Arrival Starnberger See.

    Day 2: Lake Starnberger See - Murnau, Lake Staffelsee, 22 mi. (35 km)

    Day 3: Murnau - Garmisch Partenkirchen, 25 mi. (40 km)

    Day 4: Garmisch Partenkirchen - Wallgau, 28 mi.  (45 km)

    Day 5: Wallgau - Bad Tolz, 31 mi. (50 km)

    Day 6: Bad Tolz - Lake Tegernsee - Bad Tˆlz, 28 mi. (45 km)

    Day 7: Bad Tolz - Lake Starnberger See, 19 - 32 mi. (30 - 50 km)

    Day 8: Individual departure or additional nights.

    Book This Trip

    Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us

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