Munich to Venice Self-Guided Bike Tour
Cross Bavaria and the Dolomites to end in Venice on this unreal 12-day ride
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Self-Guided
Munich to Venice Self-Guided Bike Tour Overview
The self-guided Munich to Venice bike tour is a classic, taking you up and over the Alps to end in Venice. Push yourself on this exhilarating cycling tour from Germany, through Austria, to Italy. Explore three countries on two wheels, cycle through the Alps, explore world-class cities, and end the tour in La Serenissima, the iconic Venice. With a nice balance between longer and shorter riding days, this tour offers a perfect balance of physical challenge and cultural immersion.
Choose from one of three variants of the Munich to Venice Bike Tour. There is this relaxed 12-day version, as well as a more challenging 9-day version, both available by e-bike or hybrid bike. For those who want bigger days, there is an 8-day self-guided tour with daily distances from 65 km to 100 km on a very similar route.
This itinerary offers something new each day, including unique accommodation in a new town every night. You’ll cycle on small side roads, along old railway tracks, and beside great rivers as you traverse Bavaria, the Alps, and the Italian countryside to the Adriatic Sea. The tour ends in the most iconic Italian city, Venice, where you can feast on local food and wine to your heart’s content. Do you need to stir up your stagnant life? The Munich to Venice self-guided cycling tour might be the spark you need!
Trip highlights
Witness the changing landscapes as you ride from hilly Bavaria through the iconic Dolomites in the Alps and into the Italian plains to Venice.
Spend each night in a new town or city, getting a well-rounded cultural experience through Germany, Austria, and Italy.
Have a picnic lunch at the famous Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks) and the bright turquoise Lake Sorapis.
Pamper yourself with local fare like prosecco in Conegliano and seafood pasta and risotto in Venice.
Day By Day Itinerary
Find your way to Munich, the metropolitan centre of Bavaria. Settle into your hotel and wander this iconic German city during the evening.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Munich
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- None
Fill up on your first German-style breakfast before getting on your bike to start the tour. Today, you’ll ride along the Isar River, past several religious sites, and through many traditional Bavarian villages. Stop for a quick snack and conversation with the locals.
When you arrive in Bad Tölz, take yourself out for a traditional beer at a local tavern.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Bad Tölz
- Distance:
- 6 hours, 60km
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Fuel up with breakfast to prepare for a long ride today. Start by cruising along a river until Lake Sylvenstein comes into view, then continue riding through Karwendel Nature Park.
In the afternoon, you enter Austria and pass by Lake Achen, a stunning lake nestled amid immense peaks. Later, you’ll reach Maurach, a quaint town tucked into a basin in the Alps. (Depending on availability, you might stay in Schwaz.)
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Maurach
- Distance:
- 7 hours, 68-77km
- Meals:
- Breakfast
You can enjoy a leisurely breakfast since you have a shorter ride today. Leaving Maurach, cycle a well-marked paved cycling path into Tyrol’s capital, Innsbruck. Feel free to cruise around to one of the many lakes, or settle into your hotel and stroll the town visiting the historical sites like the Golden Roof or Mount Isel.
Get some local Austrian food tonight—you head to Italy tomorrow.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Innsbruck
- Distance:
- 5 hours, 43-50km
- Meals:
- Breakfast
After breakfast, you’ll hop in a transfer (train or bus) to eliminate the toughest part of today’s journey: the ascent to Brennero Pass. This pass marks the Austrian-Italian border, and from here, you’ll descend for a pleasant ride next to an old railway track. Arrive in Rio di Pusteria, a lovely village tucked into green mountains.
Wander the old town to pick a local restaurant for a tasty Italian feast.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Rio di Pusteria or Bressanone
- Distance:
- 5.5 hours, 55km + transfer (train or bus)
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Today, leave Rio di Pusteria behind and follow a well-maintained cycling path through the beautiful Val Pusteria. Along the way, pass the historic Mühlbacher Klause, a former border post that once marked the boundary between the ancient provinces of Raetia and Noricum. Continue alongside the scenic Rienz River towards Brunico, where you can take a break to explore the South Tyrolean Folklore Museum in Teodone or visit one of the Messner Mountain Museums at Brunico Castle or on Mount Kronplatz.
After exploring Brunico, continue cycling along the Rienz River through the picturesque valley until you reach Villabassa or Dobbiaco, where you will spend the night. If you are using a rental bike from the tour operator, you can enjoy a complimentary bike check-up at their shop in Dobbiaco.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Villabassa or Dobbiaco
- Distance:
- 5–6 hours, 50–55km
- Meals:
- Breakfast
You have a short ride today. Take as many breaks as you want to admire the unreal surroundings on this especially scenic day! Leaving your hotel, you’ll set off to Lake Landro, where you’ll have to best view of the famous Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks). After breaking at this iconic spot, cruise downhill to the charming village of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Walk around at sunset to find some dinner and imprint the wonderful scenery into your mind.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Distance:
- 3–4 hours, 30–35km
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Delete some pictures from your phone—you’ll need to make space for today’s landscapes. After breakfast, you’ll ride next to the old railway cutting through the Dolomites. Stop at the turquoise gem of Lake Sorapis and then Cinque Torri (Five Towers) for some stunning breaks from riding.
Continue downhill to Pieve di Cadore, then link up with a newer bike path that leads you to Longarone, a town that was rebuilt in 1963 after a flood washed away the village completely.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Ponte nelle Alpi / Belluno
- Distance:
- 5.5 hours, 55km
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Enjoy your breakfast and get going for the day. Head south into the Prosecco region, stopping for a break at Lake Santa Croce, much larger than the alpine lakes you’ve seen over the last few days.
When you arrive in Conegliano, settle into your hotel, then go in search of a glass of prosecco!
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Conegliano
- Distance:
- 5.5 hours, 55km
- Meals:
- Breakfast
After breakfast, you’ll ride south and leave the Alps behind. As you descend into the Italian planes, you’ll notice waterways, villas, and magnificent buildings all over. Keep pedalling closer to the Adriatic Sea, stopping in Treviso for the night.
Ease your way into the quintessential Italian experience by having a night in “little Venice” first.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Treviso
- Distance:
- 5 hours, 50km
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Appreciate the flatter terrain as you cruise on your last full day to the iconic “floating city,” Venice. Follow the Sile River until this famous city comes into view. If you have time after you arrive, take a canal tour of this undeniably dreamy city.
Spoil yourself with a feast of Venetian food and wine to celebrate your 12-day ride from Germany to Italy. Saluti!
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Mainland Venice
- Distance:
- 5 hours, 47km
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Your tour concludes after breakfast and check-out. You can organize your own departure transfer, or maybe you’ll want to extend your stay in Venice (who wouldn’t?).
- Overnight Location:
- None
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- Breakfast
Tour Map
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Inclusions
Included
- 11 breakfasts are included.
- Accommodations for 11 nights are included in the tour. Additional nights before or after the tour can be booked as a supplement.
- While you cycle between hotels, transportation for your luggage is included. Transfers mentioned in the itinerary are included.
- Tour information in English
- Well-planned routes
- Detail route descriptions
- Detailed maps
- Videobriefing
- 24-hour telephone assistance
- Free bike inspection pit stop in Dobbiaco for rental bikes
Not included
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Guide services
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Flights or public transportation
- Travel insurance and tourism tax
- Entrance fees of any kind
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Extra nights in any accommodation
- Bike rental
- Return transfer service from Venice Mestre back to Munich
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
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 4/5 due to the cycling through the Dolomites. You should be physically fit and comfortable cycling 3–7 hours daily for consecutive days in a row on a well-maintained path with some climbs included. Active cyclists will be able to get the most out of this tour.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. That said, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills, and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
11 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.
You can reach Munich by plane, car, or train. The closest airports are Munich (MUC), Innsbruck (INN), Treviso (TSF), and Venice (VCE). On request, airport transfers can be arranged to the start of the tour.
Yes, the detailed itinerary is in English.
The tour ends in Venice, Italy. You can fly out of the Venice airport (VCE), and an airport transfer can be booked as a supplement if you wish.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes available are 21-gear women’s or men’s standard bicycles or e-bikes.
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 Munich to Venice Self-Guided Bike 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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