Bavarian Lakes Cycling Tour
Explore the Alps on the Bavarian Lakes Cycling Tour
Lifetime Deposit
Self-Guided
Bavarian Lakes Cycling Tour Overview
The Bavarian Lakes Cycling Tour will expose you to the clean air and the unspoilt nature of Southern Germany, as well as the rich culture and traditions of Bavaria. Take your time, focus on yourself, and go at your own pace – that is the way to effortlessly connect with your body and soul. Cycle around the best-known lakes in Bavaria with their amazing water quality, marvel at the majestic mountain ranges, and take strolls through ornate old towns with opulent flower decor. Each day of this incredible tour is filled with the colour and ambiance of Bavaria, so what are you waiting for?! Book the Bavarian Lakes Cycling Tour and prepare yourself for the alpine adventure of a lifetime!
Trip highlights
Take in the natural beauty of Bavaria’s many mountains and lakes
Cycle through charming Bavarian villages that burst with tradition
Take a scenic train ride high up in the Alps
Visit the famous spa resort town of Bad Tölz with its thermal springs
Day By Day Itinerary
Welcome to beautiful Bavaria! Your cycling adventure begins on the shores of Lake Starnberg, where you can spend the day relaxing and exploring the picturesque surroundings. Take a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore, enjoy a refreshing swim, or visit the charming Bernried Castle. You can also take a boat trip across the lake and admire the stunning scenery before your cycling journey begins the following day.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Bernried
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- None
The initial leg of this cycling adventure will lead you to the southern shores of Lake Starnberg until you reach Seeshaupt. Here, you will cycle along marvelous paths through historic Bavarian villages, past the Osterseen lakes and Lake Riegsee until you reach Murnau on Lake Staffelsee.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Murnau
- Distance:
- 33 km, 350 m of ascent, 260 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today you will begin by cycling through the nature reserve Murnauer Moos, which is the biggest moor area in Central Europe. Continuing onwards through unspoilt nature, you will follow the river Loisach to Garmisch Partenkirchen. This stage is deliberately kept short to allow you the opportunity to take a ride up by the Zugspitzbahn railway to a height of 2962 metres (extracurricular to the tour). From there you have a fantastic view over the Alps.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Garmisch Partenkirchen
- Distance:
- 37 km, 190 m of ascent, 170 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today, you will cycle from Garmisch-Partenkirchen through Klais to the beautiful Lake Barmsee. From here, you can either continue directly to Wallgau or take a longer route through Mittenwald and Scharnitz to the source of the Isar River. The optional route climbs towards Scharnitz before continuing gently uphill through rugged gorges and lush alpine meadows. As you travel through the sunny, high-altitude valley, enjoy marvelous panoramic views of the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountain ranges before making your way to Wallgau, a charming village where Bavarian traditions are still alive today.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Wallgau
- Distance:
- 18-73 km, 250-740 m of ascent, 80-580 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today you will pass by the Isarwinkel, following the crystal clear, turquoise-blue water to the impressive lake Sylvensteinsee, after which, you will cycle through atmospheric scenery to Bad Tölz. This village is situated at the intersection of two trading routes – the River Isar and the old salt route from Reichenhall into the Allgäu region. The ornate houses are a testament to the historical prominence of the area.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Bad Tölz
- Distance:
- 47 km, 310 m of ascent, 520 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
After breakfast, you will cycle through the charming scenery around Lake Tegernsee until you reach Gmund am Tegernsee, where fabulous panoramic views of the lake await. You will then follow the picturesque Gaißbach Valley back to Bad Tölz. Here, take some time to explore the town's historic market street, with its beautifully decorated buildings, and discover the filming locations of the popular German TV crime series “Der Bulle von Tölz.”
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Bad Tölz
- Distance:
- 44 km, 400 m of ascent, 400 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
For the finale of your cycling adventure, you will enjoy another casual stage through soft rolling hills and lush meadows to return back to the starting point of this round trip. If you have not done it already, try taking a swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake Starnberg as a final highlight of this tour.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Bernried
- Distance:
- 31 km, 290 m of ascent, 360 m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
After breakfast, you will pack up your things and bid farewell to beautiful Bavaria for an individual departure from the region.
- Overnight Location:
- None
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Tour Map
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Inclusions
Included
- 7 breakfasts are included.
- Accommodations for 7 nights are included in the tour. Accommodations before or after the tour in Bernried are not included, but can be added as a supplement.
- Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour.
- Detailed Digital travel information documents
- 1 traditional veal sausage breakfast
- App for Navigation and GPS-data available
- 24/7 service hotline
Not included
- Flights and transportation to and from the starting point of the tour
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist tax
- Bike ticket for train journey to Garmisch – Scharnitz
- Helmets (can be purchased locally)
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Bike rental and insurance (helmets not included)
- Printed Route Book
Reviews
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These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
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FAQ
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. Cyclists will need to be able to cover between 40 and 70 km per day, and there is one longer ascent throughout the tour.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
Fly into the Munich (MUC) Airport and then transfer to either the Bernried or Wolfratshausen train stations.
Yes, the travel documents and resources for this trip are in English.
The Bavarian Lakes Cycling Tour ends where it began, along the shores of the Starnberger See in the town of Bernried. From there, you can head to the Bernried or Wolfratshausen train stations and transfer to the Munich Airport (MUC).
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes come in 7-gear and 21/24-gear varieties. You can also rent an e-bike.
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a road bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Why book Bavarian Lakes Cycling Tour with 10 Adventures?
Self-guided Specialists
Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of the logistics are taken care of.
Packed with Inclusions
Accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - all taken care of so you can focus on making memories.
World Class Support
Have peace of mind for when travel plans change with our hassle-free booking process and unbeatable support.
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