Bavarian lakes cycling, Germany

This self guided cycling holiday begins and ends in Munich which is easily accessible by train from London and Paris.

You'll meander through a combination of cycle paths and quiet roads along lake shores and through valleys with unspoilt natural beauty.

Passing through various old picturesque Bavarian villages and towns, such as the richly decorated town of Bad Tolz and village of Wallgau, will give you an insight into the local traditional way of life. This is an altogether charming landscape.

The route takes you along the River Loisach through the Murnauer Moos nature reserve to the Winter Olympic Games town of Garmisch Partenkirchen. Here you can leave your bikes behind and take the option of a cable car to Germany’s highest mountain Zugspitze, from which there are breath-taking views of the surrounding Alps.

Suitable for families with older children there are a few short climbs where you can walk if you wish, after all there’s no rush.

There is a short section where you catch a train to reach the higher pastures, which provide access to the source of the River Isar and from where you can embark on a journey through the wonderful panorama of the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountains.

Detailed Itinerary:
1st day: Arrival in Munich
Today you arrive in Munich and you might want to start your holiday with a visit to the fortress museum, Fortress Grünwald or Bavaria Film City which is located nearby.

2nd day: Munich – Murnau am Staffelsee approx. 65 km
Leave Munich by crossing the Forstenrieder Park to Lake Starnberger See (one of the most illustrious addresses around Munich). From Starnberg travel along the lake side cycle path to Seeshaupt. Your cycling starts off well on beautiful roads through ancient Bavarian villages, past lakes Ostersee and lake Riegsee to Murnau on lake Staffelsee.

3rd day: Murnau – Garmisch Partenkirchen approx. 35 km
In the morning you cross Middle-Europe’s largest moor and swamp area, nature reserve Murnauer Moos. You head along river Loisach through areas of unspoilt nature to the famous Olympic town of Garmisch Parten-kirchen, former home of the Winter Olympics. Today’s stage is kept quite brief, to enable you to take the cable car up to Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze (2.962 m) which provides breathtaking views of the Alps.

4th day: Garmisch Partenkirchen – Wallgau approx. 50 km
You start the day with a climb of 300 meters of altitude to Scharnitz, thankfully by train. From there you continue slightly uphill through wildly romantic gorges and lush alpine fields to the source of the Isar. The riding continues through the sunny high-lying valley with wonderful panoramas of the Karwendel and Wetterstein Mountains through Mittenwald (forest) to Wallgau – a village which still resonates with Bavarian tradition.

5th day: Wallgau – Bad Tölz approx. 48 km
Today you ride past Isarwinkel on one of the more remote sections of the route, following the crystal clear, turquois-blue waters of the young Isar to the marvellous lake Sylvenstein, via the little town Lenggries and through lovely rural countryside to Bad Tölz. This once important trading place, situated at the crossing of two old trading routes –  the river Isar and the old salt route from Reichenhall to Allgäu – still manages to impress with imposing, richly decorated old buildings.

6th day: Bad Tölz – Lake Tegernsee – Bad Tölz approx 40 km
Todays circular ride takes you through the charming landscape of Lake Tegernsee to Gmund am Tegernsee with a wonderful panoramic lake view to keep you company. Then it's along Gaißbach Valley back again to Bad Tölz. The thermal springs of the famous “Alpamare” spa will sooth your tired muscles for your final days cycling in the morning.

7th day: Bad Tölz – Munich/South approx. 45 km
Your last days cycling takes you along the Isar cycle path via Geretsried and Wolfratshausen to Grunwald. Only a few brief climbs on the route today before your return to Munich where you can spend the evening relaxing and reflecting on your past few days.

8th day: Departure.
Time for home today but you might have time for one last wander around Munich or maybe you will want to stay longer and add another few days on to the end of your trip.

Equipment
We provide everything except a bike (although we are able to hire these, see booking form for details), personal equipment and clothing. If you are taking your own bike, it is imperative that it is in good mechanical order. If you are not mechanically minded, we advise you to take your bike to a local bicycle dealer for a service. Details of which spares you should take will be included in the Information Pack sent with your booking confirmation.

What the price doesn't include
A) Personal clothing and equipment.
B) Lunch and evening meals (unless on the half board option).
C) Travel insurance (available if required, £26).
D) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
E) Bike hire (available if required).
F) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions.
G) Travel arrangements to the first nights hotel.