A Round-Trip Bike Tour Through Bavaria’s Lake District
Explore the landscapes south of Munich on a self-guided cycling round trip through Bavaria’s lake region, combining peaceful waters, alpine scenery and traditional Bavarian towns. Starting and finishing at Lake Starnberg, in Bernried or Ambach, the journey brings together places such as Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Bad Tölz with some of the region’s most distinctive natural settings.
Cycle Bavaria at Your Own Pace
Enjoy the freedom of a self-guided tour with prepared routes and digital navigation, giving you the flexibility to explore each stage independently. Ride without carrying your luggage thanks to the included luggage transfer, and take time along the way to stop at a lakeside, discover a Bavarian town or enjoy traditional local cuisine.
ROUTE
The loop can start and finish in either Bernried or Ambach on Lake Starnberg. From there, the route heads south through the lake and moorland landscapes towards Murnau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, before continuing through the alpine scenery around Wallgau and the Isarwinkel. The return journey leads via Bad Tölz and Tegernsee before reaching Lake Starnberg again.
The cycling is mainly on well-developed cycle paths through the river valleys, complemented by small side roads and short sections on natural trails. The terrain is predominantly comfortable, with occasional gentle hills and short climbs. With daily stages between 32 and 70 km, the tour is rated medium difficulty and suits riders looking for an active journey without consistently demanding climbs.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Bernried / Ambach, Lake Starnberg
Arrive at Lake Starnberg and settle into the Bavarian lake region. Depending on your starting point, Bernried or Ambach, take time to enjoy the lakeside setting, with options to stroll along the shore, swim, visit Bernried Castle or take a boat trip on the lake.
Day 2: Bernried / Ambach – Murnau
30 km / 19 mi
Cycle along the southern shore of Lake Starnberg towards Seeshaupt, passing traditional Bavarian villages and the Osterseen lakes. Continue through the peaceful landscape towards Riegsee before reaching Murnau on the shores of Lake Staffelsee.
Day 3: Murnau – Garmisch-Partenkirchen
40 km / 25 mi
Ride through Murnauer Moos, the largest moorland in Central Europe, before following the Loisach River towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen. With a shorter cycling stage, there is time to take an optional ride on the Zugspitzbahn and ascend towards the summit of Germany’s highest mountain.
Day 4: Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Wallgau
20–70 km / 12–43 mi
Cycle from Garmisch-Partenkirchen towards Klais and Barmsee before continuing to Wallgau. For a longer day, take the detour via Mittenwald and Scharnitz to the source of the Isar River, with alpine meadows, gorges and views of the Karwendel and Wetterstein ranges along the way.
Day 5: Wallgau – Bad Tölz
50 km / 31 mi
Follow the Isar through the Isarwinkel region towards the turquoise waters of Sylvenstein Lake and continue through the landscape around Lenggries. The stage ends in Bad Tölz, whose historic townhouses reflect its past as an important trading centre.
Day 6: Bad Tölz – Tegernsee – Bad Tölz
45 km / 28 mi
Head through the Tegernsee landscape to Gmund am Tegernsee, where the lake provides a scenic stop along the route. Return to Bad Tölz through the Gaißbach Valley and explore the town’s historic market street.
Day 7: Bad Tölz – Bernried / Ambach, Lake Starnberg
30 km / 19 mi
The final stage takes you back towards Lake Starnberg through gentle hills and green meadows. Finish the cycling journey with time to enjoy the clear waters of the lake before returning to Bernried or Ambach.
Day 8: Departure from Bernried / Ambach
Depart from Lake Starnberg or extend your stay to enjoy more of the surrounding region.
Extend Your Stay
Additional nights can be organized on request.
Getting to Bernried / Ambach (Departure Point)
By Train: Travel to Deggendorf by train, followed by a bus to Bernried or Ambach on Lake Starnberg.
By Plane: From Munich Airport, travel by train to Deggendorf and then continue by bus to Bernried or Ambach. The journey takes approximately 3 hours, with three changes in Landshut, Plattling and Deggendorf.
Parking in Bernried: Hotel parking spaces or a hotel garage are available for approximately €50–€100 per week.
Parking in Ambach: Free hotel parking spaces are available.
How to book this tour
We require a deposit of 25% of the tour price per person upon reservation, final payment 6 weeks before tour departure.
Included
- Accommodation in selected 3-star hotels
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Digital travel documents including navigation app, GPS data and route book
- Traditional veal sausage breakfast
- Service hotline
NOT Included
- Individual travel/flights
- Bicycle or E-bike rental
- City taxes and local tourist visitor fees
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed as included is not included
Choose the option that best fits your schedule and start planning your cycling journey.
Check available options
Departures & Prices
Prices are per person in a double room 2027.
Daily arrivals are available from 10 April to 03 October.
Season 1
10 Apr – 16 Apr | 25 Sep – 03 Oct
From
1259€
Options & Supplements
✓
+349€ Single Room
Season 2
17 Apr – 30 Apr | 11 Sep – 24 Sep
From
1369€
Options & Supplements
✓
+349€ Single Room
Season 3
01 May – 10 Sep
From
1439€
Options & Supplements
✓
+349€ Single Room
Accommodation
Carefully selected to ensure comfort, quality, and a relaxing and unforgettable journey.
Selected 3-star hotels in Bernried or Ambach, Murnau, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Wallgau and Bad Tölz, including breakfast.
Additional nights with breakfast
Prices per person, including breakfast
Ambach
Double Room 125€
Single room +45€
Bernried
Double Room 125€
Single room +45€
BIKES
Below you’ll find the essential information about bicycle rentals.
21 speed Bike
109€
27 speed Bike
189€
E-Bike
299€