Munich Bike Trips
Cycle from Munich through lake country, river valleys and Alpine landscapes on six routes I have personally ridden in Bavaria and nearby Austria.
INTRODUCTION
Exploring Bavaria by Bike and Train
Cycling is one of my favorite ways to experience Munich and Bavaria. I have ridden all six routes featured here, from relatively easy lake circuits to much longer journeys through Alpine valleys and along the Isar. What I enjoy most is the combination of cycling and public transportation: take a bike on the train, start somewhere interesting and ride until another station provides a convenient way home. These are not technical mountain-bike routes. They are journeys for experiencing lakes, towns, rivers and landscapes at a slower pace, with plenty of time for swimming, food stops and unexpected discoveries.
At a Glance
Routes: 6 personally ridden cycling journeys
Best season: Late spring through early autumn
Difficulty: Short lakeside outings to demanding full-day or multi-day journeys
Typical surfaces: Paved cycle paths, quiet roads and some gravel
Best feature: Easy combination of cycling and regional trains
Navigation: Download an offline route before leaving
Bring: Helmet, water, layers, lights and basic repair equipment
Important: Bicycle rules and capacity vary by train operator and service
Lake Starnberg Circuit
Approx. 50–58 km, depending on route · Moderate · Full day
Starnberger See is my favorite lake to cycle around from Munich and one of the routes I have done several times. The roughly 50–58-kilometer circuit combines lakeside towns, swimming areas, wooded stretches and, in clear weather, wonderful views toward the Alps. I usually take the S-Bahn or regional train to Starnberg with my bicycle and begin directly at the lake rather than spending energy riding out of Munich.
Berg, on the eastern shore, is associated with Ludwig II’s final days and has the memorial cross and Votive Chapel. The western shore includes villages and cultural stops around Possenhofen, Tutzing and Bernried. Both sides offer opportunities to pause beside the water. I particularly enjoy building a swim and a relaxed lunch into the day rather than treating the circuit as a race.
Why I like it: The scenery changes constantly, the distance feels substantial without becoming extreme, and rail connections along the western shore offer ways to shorten the ride. The eastern shore has no equivalent railway, so plan your return rather than assuming a station is always nearby.
Ammersee & Andechs
Flexible distance · Easy–Moderate · Half or full day
Ammersee feels quieter and more relaxed than Starnberger See. I like beginning around Herrsching and following the lake according to the weather and how far I feel like riding. Swimming areas, villages and lakeside stops make it easy to turn this into a leisurely outing rather than a fixed circuit.
One option is to combine the lake with Andechs, although the climb toward the monastery changes the character of the ride. I enjoy stopping for smoked fish, coffee or a meal beside the lake and leaving enough time simply to enjoy the setting.
Why choose it: Pick Ammersee when you want a flexible lake day rather than committing to a complete lake circuit.
Cyclist riding through a residential neighborhood in Starnberg, Bavaria
Mittenwald, the Wild Isar & Sylvensteinsee
Long distance · Challenging · Full day or multi-day
This is the most dramatic cycling journey on the page and one of the routes I remember most vividly. Starting in Mittenwald puts you immediately into an Alpine landscape of steep mountains, traditional towns and the turquoise Isar. From there, the route follows the river north through Krün and Wallgau toward increasingly wild scenery and eventually Sylvensteinsee.
The attraction is not a single destination. It is watching the landscape change as you move through the Upper Isar valley: mountain walls, broad gravel riverbeds, forest and intensely colored water. Sylvensteinsee adds another spectacular section, but distances become substantial and services are more limited than on the lake rides.
I would not rush this. Depending on the exact route, weather and fitness, it can work better as a multi-day journey. Mountain weather can also change quickly.
Best for: Experienced recreational cyclists comfortable with longer distances, changing surfaces and more independent navigation.
Plan carefully: Carry enough food and water and check the route after heavy rain. There is no railway station at Sylvensteinsee, so plan your onward ride or arrange a bicycle-compatible transfer; do not assume a local bus can take your bike.
Turquoise Isar River flowing through a wide gravel bed beneath forested mountains in the Bavarian Alps
Munich to Starnberg via the Würm
One way · Moderate · Easy S-Bahn return
This is a satisfying choice when you want to begin cycling directly in Munich rather than taking a train first. From western Munich, the route heads upstream through the Würm valley toward Starnberg, gradually replacing urban surroundings with quieter paths, residential areas and greener landscapes.
I particularly like the sense of actually arriving at Lake Starnberg by bicycle. Reaching the water feels like a destination earned through the journey rather than simply stepping off a train.
Once in Starnberg, have a meal, walk along the waterfront or continue riding beside the lake. The S-Bahn provides a return to Munich if you do not want to retrace the route. Check bicycle restrictions and leave time for a later train if bike spaces are full.
Munich to Landshut along the Isar
Long one-way ride · Moderate · Regional-train return
Heading north along the Isar produces a completely different experience. Munich gradually gives way to woods, floodplains, farmland and smaller communities as the river leads toward Lower Bavaria.
Landshut provides a particularly rewarding finish. After hours on the bicycle, arriving in its colorful historic center beneath St. Martin's enormous church tower feels genuinely satisfying. I would leave enough time for food and a walk through the old town before taking the train back to Munich.
Why it works: This is exactly the kind of route where Bavaria's rail network makes a long one-way bicycle journey practical.
Innsbruck to Kufstein through the Inn Valley
Long distance · Moderate · Best over 1–2 days
This route is farther from Munich, but it is one of my favorite examples of combining trains and bicycles into a larger journey. The Inn provides a natural route through the Tyrol, with mountains rising steeply on both sides while the valley floor makes much of the cycling surprisingly manageable.
Starting in Innsbruck, the route passes through smaller towns and villages as you follow the river toward Kufstein. The landscape is the main attraction, but I would not simply cycle through the towns. Stop for lunch, coffee or sightseeing and let the journey take longer than the mileage alone requires.
Frequent rail connections along much of the valley create useful flexibility. If weather deteriorates or you simply decide you have ridden enough, a station can become the end of that day's journey.
My preference: Make this an overnight trip if possible. Breaking the route into stages leaves time to experience the towns and mountains rather than turning an exceptionally scenic valley into an endurance exercise.
Cross-border planning: Check current Austrian and German bicycle rules for the specific trains you intend to use before departure.
Planning Your Ride
Check the weather before leaving. For Alpine routes, check mountain conditions as well as Munich's forecast.
Download your route offline. Cycling signs are generally good but can become confusing at junctions.
Check wind direction. It can make a substantial difference on longer lake and river rides.
Carry water and food. Don't assume every rural section has an open café or shop.
Bring layers and rain protection. Conditions can change considerably during a full day.
Carry basic repair equipment. At minimum, bring a spare tube or repair kit and a pump.
Use lights and wear a helmet. Some rides may finish later than planned.
Taking Bikes on Trains
Check the bicycle ticket rules for the specific operator and train you plan to use.
Bicycle capacity can be limited, especially on sunny weekends.
Check the applicable restricted hours: S-Bahn and U-Bahn rules differ and can depend on the bicycle ticket. Use the current MVV bicycle rules for your service.
Be prepared to take a later train if bicycle space is full.
Standard full-size bicycles are not permitted on regular MVV buses or trams. Special bike buses, folding bikes and other exceptions have their own conditions.
Cross-border trips require checking both German and Austrian rules.
On Longer Routes
Identify possible stations where you could end the ride early before starting.
River flooding, storms and construction can temporarily close cycling paths.
Start conservatively on Alpine routes rather than assuming the distance tells you the whole difficulty.
For overnight rides, confirm that your accommodation has secure bicycle storage.
Final Thoughts
The bicycle journeys I remember most are not necessarily the longest ones. I remember suddenly seeing the Alps across a lake, following turquoise stretches of the Isar, stopping for food in a small town and the satisfaction of arriving somewhere under my own power. Bavaria's trains make that kind of cycling unusually practical because a ride does not always need to end where it began. Use the railway strategically, stay flexible about distance and leave enough time for the places you discover along the way.