Travel Story: Munich Lakes

Munich – Bavaria’s vibrant capital

Our journey begins in Munich, the capital of Bavaria – where tradition meets modern life. With so many sights to explore, we decided to book an additional night before our tour to take in as many impressions as possible.

The historic old town with Marienplatz and the New Town Hall is especially impressive. We continue on foot past Viktualienmarkt to the English Garden, the largest inner-city park in the world.

Alongside landmarks such as Frauenkirche and Nymphenburg Palace, we also stop at the impressive Olympiapark, where cyclists, walkers, and visitors from around the world come together.

Goose spreading wings in pond at Munich's English Garden. Red-leaved tree and green vegetation line the shore under blue sky.

Diana Temple pavilion with green copper dome in Munich Hofgarten. Colorful flower beds with yellow and orange blooms line the path to the temple.

Munich New Town Hall with ornate Gothic facade, tall central tower, and colorful flags against blue sky.

Blooming purple lilac in foreground with the Monopteros temple on a green hill in Munich's English Garden under a blue sky with clouds.

Bavarian hospitality and traditional comfort

The hotels in Bavaria are known for their cozy atmosphere, authentic cuisine, and comfortable rooms in regional style. Each accommodation along our route offers the perfect balance of relaxation and warm hospitality after a long cycling day.

Especially when the weather doesn’t fully cooperate – as in our case – a warm, cozy room at the end of the day is even more appreciated. We often stay in smaller, charming traditional Bavarian villages such as Wallgau. Even if there are only a few guesthouses to choose from, each of our handpicked partner hotels impresses with its unique character.

Hearty cuisine

Bavarian cuisine is famous worldwide for its hearty and down-to-earth dishes.

One of the most iconic dishes is Weißwurst, traditionally served with sweet mustard and a pretzel. Together with a refreshing wheat beer, it is the perfect way to refuel for the next stage of the tour. We receive our dining voucher for this culinary break at the beginning of the tour together with our printed travel documents and redeem it at Hotel Jäger von Fall. Culinary Bavaria is diverse – true specialties such as pork knuckle, Leberkäse, or Obatzda can be found in almost every inn. These dishes reflect a true way of life: relaxed and sociable. Whether in a town or in the countryside – dining in Bavaria is a multi-sensory experience.

Two white sausages with pretzel on a plate, served with wheat beer and white sauce in a tureen. Traditional Bavarian breakfast setting.

Picturesque nature despite cloudy skies

Despite the unsettled weather, the Bavarian lake landscape shows many different facets. Whether cycling along the Isar, passing Lake Starnberg, or through protected natural areas – there is something here for every nature lover. The Isar accompanies us throughout our journey through the Munich lakes region, and we frequently cross smaller rivers such as the Loisach. On low-traffic country roads, we cycle through unspoiled nature with constant views of the Bavarian Alps. Even though the mountain panorama is only partially visible due to low clouds, we enjoy every glimpse of the snow-covered peaks.

Turquoise Isar River flowing through pebble banks near Mittenwald, surrounded by coniferous forest with misty Alpine mountains in background.

Culture and enjoyment in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

We are especially excited about the picturesque town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, one of the larger stops on our loop tour. Known for its impressive alpine scenery and its historic role as a winter sports destination, it is the perfect place for our overnight stay. With its charming old town, cozy guesthouses, and stunning views of the Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers an ideal mix of nature, sport, and culture. After a walk along the historic Ludwigstraße, we visit our colleagues at the destination office in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and end the evening together with a refreshing beer.

Orange St. Sebastian Church tower in Garmisch with pointed spire, framed by purple flowers in foreground and forested mountains in background.

Cobblestone pedestrian street in Garmisch with colorful historic buildings, outdoor seating, and a church spire visible in the background.

Traditional Bavarian guesthouse with ornate facade paintings in Garmisch. Outdoor seating area with umbrellas on cobblestone square, framed by green leaves.

Richard Strauss Fountain with bronze sculptures in a cobblestone square in Garmisch, surrounded by colorful buildings and trees.

A short detour into Austria

On our third cycling stage, the Eurobike & Eurohike on Tour app optionally guides us via Mittenwald across the border into Tyrol to the beautiful village of Scharnitz. If you wish, you can even continue following the route to the source of the Isar. Surrounded by a stunning mountain backdrop, we cycle again along the Isar and reward ourselves with a well-deserved lunch break upon arrival. On the way back, we stop in Mittenwald to admire the famous Lüftlmalerei frescoes. Colorfully painted house after house, we stroll through the streets before continuing to our next overnight stay in Wallgau. From this small village, we start our 5th cycling day towards the charming spa town of Bad Tölz – passing wide golf courses and impressive reservoirs.

Three sheep standing in a green meadow with yellow wildflowers near Klais. Dense forest and mountains visible in background under cloudy sky.

Yellow and purple pansies in foreground with traditional Bavarian painted houses in Mittenwald village square under cloudy sky.

Three white swans swimming in the green Isar River near Bad Tölz. Green riverbank in foreground, bridge and buildings visible in background.

Turquoise Isar River with gravel banks flowing through forested valley near Mittenwald. Dense coniferous forests cover the hillsides under cloudy sky.

Cyclist with helmet and yellow bag standing on rocky riverbank of Isar River near Mittenwald, with forested mountains and clouds in background.

Golden rapeseed fields along the Isar canal

On our final cycling day, we start once again full of energy and optimism for good weather, heading from Bad Tölz back to Munich. At around 60 km, today’s stage is the second longest. We cycle relaxed through forests and along the Isar canal until the clouds finally break and the first warm sun rays appear. Our excitement is huge, and we truly enjoy the final kilometers – passing golden rapeseed fields on our way back to Munich.

Yellow Eurobike handlebar bag with text 'Pure Radreiselust' mounted on bicycle at edge of bright yellow rapeseed field under blue sky.

Our favorite place

Our favorite place, Lake Sylvenstein, awaits us on the fourth cycling stage from Wallgau to Bad Tölz. A reservoir lake embedded in an impressive alpine landscape surrounded by forests and the Karwendel mountains. Here you can hike, swim, or simply enjoy nature. Several benches along the shore invite you to take a cycling break and admire the scenery in peace. On the way, we also cross the Faller-Klamm Bridge, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the turquoise, crystal-clear water.

Turquoise Sylvensteinsee framed by green maple leaves, with forested mountains in the background and a grassy shore in the foreground.