Osterseen or Oster Lakes, Bavaria, Germany. Photo via Wikimedia Commons:Michael Knall

Street art on Kaufingerstrasse on Marienplatz in Munich, Germany. Photo via Wikimedia Commons: David Iliff

Bavarian Lakes

Germany Bike Tours

Bike Munich and the Bavarian Lakes in Southern Germany!

Colorful and Baroque describe the towns you will 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.

Check our our full list of bike tours in Germany.

Where You’ll Stay

Selected 3 and 4 star hotels.

What’s Included

  • Overnight accommodations for the length of the tour
  • Personal tour information
  • Breakfast buffets
  • Additional white sausage breakfast
  • 21-speed hybrid bicycle
  • Luggage transfer
  • Route descriptions & maps (1 set per booked room)
  • Train Garmisch Partenkirchen to Scharnitz (bike ticket not included, approx. €5)
  • 7 day service hotline
  • Sign posted route
  • GPS tracks (must be requested in advance)

What’s Not Included

Bavarian Lakes Map

TourBike
TypeSelf Guided
SkillEasy
Length7–9 days
From€679 Rates
Client Reviews

Share This Tour

Tour Dates

Arrival possible daily from April 23 to September 4, 2016

Season 1: April 23 to May 1
Season 2: May 2 to June 19
Season 3: June 20 to September 4

Skill Level

This is an 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 are used only for short distances.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Bavarian Lakes Map

8 day/7 night tour

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

All distances are approximate. 

Day 1: Arrival in Munich
Shortly after arrival in the afternoon, you will have a welcome briefing and be given 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)
From Munich, the route leads through the Forstenrieder Park to Lake Starnberg. After Starnberg, a peaceful bike path heads 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 Germany's unspoiled nature! Following the Loisbach river you will find yourself in Garmisch Partenkirchen. Garmisch and Partenkirchen were once two separate market towns and both offer charming historical centers, a wealth of culture and plenty of good old-fashioned Bavarian hospitality amid scenic surroundings. Today's ride 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. (45 km)
By train, you bridge 200 meters of altitude to Scharnitz where once again, you begin to cycle. The path ahead is slightly uphill through wildly romantic gorges and lush alpine fields to the source of the Isar river. Through the sunny high-lying valley with wonderful panoramas of the Karwendel and Wetterstein Mountains, 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, pass Isarwinkel, following the turquoise-blue water, the route leads 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 - Tegernsee - 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)
Through Geretsried and Wolfratshausen to Grünwald on the Isar Bike Path, 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 STARNBERG SEE (LAKE): 

Day 1: Arrival Starnberg See
Day 2: Lake Starnberg 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 Tolz, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Bad Tolz - Starnberger See, 19 - 32 mi. (30 - 50 km)
Day 8: Individual departure or additional nights.

This 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 Starnberg See (lake) during the tour from Munich to Murnau.

Looking for more?  View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.

Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064

Share This Tour

Customer Feedback

Biked This Tour? Post Your Feedback

Find Your Perfect Bike Tour

Email or Call 800-951-4384
+1 570-965-2064

PWPC