Bavarian Castles and Tyrol Valleys Tour

Both Bavaria and Tyrol have become cherished regions within their respective host countries over the years: it is there that nature is the most beautiful, traditions are the most lively and the architecture of the villages the most unique. These elements brings the visitors in a sort of nostalgia for the past that is skilfully cultivated. Aware of these specificities which make them proud, their inhabitants often consider themselves more Bavarians or Tyroleans than Germans or Austrians, and these regions thus constitute real countries within their own country.

In terms of nature, the bright green of the meadows, which stretch until peaks of the Alps replace them in the background, is a bewitching setting for a bicycle journey. A few dense fir forests - resistant to the harsh winters of the region -, crystal-clear lakes and the bell towers of baroque church towers rising out from the horizon complete the picture. Almost at any moment, you would think that this is where the word 'idyllic' was invented!

It is not surprising that the region also was a popular holiday destination for monarchs: it was here that Ludwig II of Bavaria decided to build his fanstastical castles at the end of the 19th century, including the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired the Sleeping Beauty's castle. This intense activity in high places contributed to the cultural effervescence of the region, which can be seen in the richness of the architecture in many villages. Traditions have remained almost intact and in summer you may be lucky enough to attend some of the village festivals, where the locals dress up in their best dirndl and lederhosen, ready to dance the night away after drinking yet another litre of beer (it's told it's delicous beer, so... ).

Nothing more was necessary to make Bavaria and the Tyrol a unique destination. Needless to say, in the summer, it's a bit crowded in some places and on the roads. Fortunately, cycling offers the great advantage of having the countryside all to yourself most of the time, as you cycle along the countless paths and small roads closed to traffic. This is undoubtedly one of the best ways to discover this region, where every bit of the landscape is a delight.

Starting from Füssen - a charming medieval town accessible by train - this route is a 5-day loop. On the first day, the route climbs gradually up to the alpine pastures. The next day, you board a cable car to climb effortlessly into a sublime alpine environment before cycling down through deep valleys surrounded by high mountains and gradually returning to a lower altitude. In Garmisch-Partenkirschen, a day's break is planned to give you the opportunity to climb to the top of the Zugstpitze (at almost 3000m, it's Germany's highest peak!) by cogwheel train, then continue with a beautiful hike through the Partnach Gorge. Then, back on your bikes, you will go, on the last 2 days, through dense forests and summer pastures to Füssen, allowing you to discover the Plansee lake, the Linderhof castle, the Ettal abbey, the numerous murals in the village of Oberammergau or the surprising church of Wies, classified by UNESCO. We strongly recommend an extra day in Füssen to visit the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, or to go on a memorable hike!

Gute Reise!

Füssen is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in Bavaria, idyllically nestled between a beautiful lake and the feet of the Alps. Its medieval alleys with painted facades, its beautiful baroque houses, its signs on wrought iron brackets, the tinkling of its church bells or its cafés with retro decor invite you to go back in time. The town is located a few kilometres from the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, and has become a major tourist attraction. Its pedestrianised centre is all the more lively, as if we were still in the Middle Ages!

Note: as the visit to Ludwig II's castles takes several hours, it is better to plan an extra day in Füssen at the end of your stay.

Day 2: Füssen - Reutte - Ehrenberg castle - Ehrwald (39/59 km - D+ : 490/710 m)

After leaving the city of Füssen behind you, you will follow the course of the turbulent Lech River, and gradually climb upwards. After a few kilometres, you cross the border into Austria and enter the Tyrol region, a name that immediately brings up images of green pastures in a bucolic mountain landscape. After passing through the pretty town of Reutte, you leave the Lech Valley and enter a narrower Alpine valley. At the point where the valley narrows the most, the ruined Ehrenberg castle stands guard on a rocky outcrop. The castle is accessible by foot and the view from the castle is breathtaking. The route then continues through the valley, surrounded by increasingly vertical mountains, until it reaches the village of Ehrwald, nestled at the foot of imposing mountain ranges.

Day 3: Ehrwald - Garmisch-Partenkirchen (63 km - D+ : 590 m)

A short climb awaits you before you reach the foot of the cable car, which will then take you almost 400 m higher. You continue your journey at an altitude of around 1500 m. The vegetation here is quite different, much more sparse. The environment is magnificent. A little less than 2 km further on, a diversion of 3,5 km towards the Seebensee lake is strongly suggested. This lake is beautifully nestled at 1657 m, in the middle of rocky peaks. Only a few larches still grow at that altitude. After that, it's almost all downhill until you reach your destination, which is almost 1000 m lower! The track descends gently to the Leutasch valley, where you wander through meadows and forests surrounded by vertiginous mountain ranges.

You then cross the German border again and reach the charming town of Mittenwald, made famous by its expertly painted and epochal facades. Goethe himself described the village as a "living picture book".
You then continue through some very picturesque alpine pastures and reach the equally beautiful Geroldsee lake before arriving in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the town that hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics under Nazi Germany. It still has the gigantic ski jumps.
You settle there for 2 nights.

Note: although this stage is a little longer, it is mainly downhill.

Day 4: Zugspitze summit + excursions around Garmisch-Partenkirchen

On day 4, your bicycle can rest a bit! If the sky is clear, a great thing to do is to climb to the top of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak at 2962 metres. A cogwheel train takes you up to the top. Once back down, there is still a good half day to fill: between a hike through the beautiful Partnach Gorge or the Wank peak, a nice bike ride through the Loisach Valley from Eschenlöhe (17 km, after a train ride), or a summer tobogganing session, you will have plenty of choices.

Day 5: Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Ettal (58 km - D+ : 580 m)

After wandering through traditional wooden barns in the middle of photogenic pastures surrounded by high mountains, you walk up the wild Naidernach valley until you reach the Plansee lake. You cross the Austrian border again on the way. After crossing the German border again, you arrive at Linderhof Castle, probably the most interesting of all the castles of Ludwig II of Bavaria. Nestling in the middle of a magnificent mountain setting, it is above all the interior that catches the eye: Ludwig II, a great admirer of French king Louis XIV, wanted his castle to evoke the luxuriance of Versailles. The result is an interior full of all kinds of decorations, reflecting the degree of imagination and passion of the Bavarian king. A few kilometres further on, you will have the opportunity to marvel at the Ettal Abbey: the richness of the paintings in its interior dome testifies of the importance it once had as pilgrimage destination. Finally you reach Oberammergau, a village famous for its many painted facades.

Day 6: Ettal - Füssen (50/56 km - D+ : 360/450 m)

Today's route takes you through a landscape of forests, pastures and small country villages. The highlight of the day will probably be the church of Wies, whose gigantic silhouette seems to emerge in the middle of nowhere. Its 18th-century interior, immersed in a green decor, will probably impress you even more: it has earned the church its Unesco listing as "the most perfect expression of Bavarian Rococo, exuberant, cheerful and colourful".
A few pastures further on, the Forggensee lake brightens up the landscape in turn. With the Alpine ridges and Neuschwanstein Castle in the background, it is hard to imagine a more spectacular setting. At the end of the day, you reach Füssen again: the loop is complete.

Day 7: End of stay - option of an extra night in Füssen

The tour ends after breakfast. You have the possibility to stay an extra night to visit the castles of Neuschwanstein and Höhenshwangau or to go hiking in the surrounding mountains.

1. Duration:
   7 days and 6 nights, including arrival and departure day. 4 days of cycling and one day of resting, hiking or cycling in the Alps in the middle.


2. Minimum age: 12 years old


3. Seasonality: between 21th of May and 15th of October.
   
   The region of the lakes has a relatively marked continental climate. A climate that marine influences do not reach since to the north, the Baltic Sea is about 700 km away, while to the south, the Adriatic Sea, is certainly closer, but its softening effect is however made complicated by the alpine barrier lying between the two. Winters are therefore quite harsh and snowy, and it is necessary to wait until May for the snow to melt on the higher roads. What follows is a summer that can be very hot on the plains, but the relative altitude of this course fortunately tempers it.
   
   As for the bright green landscapes, they are not due to chance either! Such greenery would not be possible without abundant rains. During the hot season, the rains fortunately mostly fall in the form of short but intense downpours.
   
   The best period is from mid-May to September, when the temperatures are the most pleasant and the sun most often prevails over the disturbances.
   
   In autumn, the weather is more stable, but from October you are no longer safe from an early cold snap. In return, you will be entitled to the flamboyant colors of its beautiful forests!
   
   Around All Saints Day, the weather suddenly becomes wintry. The region is then regularly adorned with a beautiful white coat, making the landscapes just as magical, but a little less suitable for cycling. Many accommodations also have their annual closure at this time.
   
   Note: the weather is subject to strong variations from one year to another. The information described above are only averages.
   
   
4. Possible departure days: any day of the week
   
   
5. Arrival and return:
   
   
   • Start of the trip: Füssen
   • End of the trip: Füssen
   
   Train
   Füssen is easily accessible by train. Get to Augsburg or Munich, where you have a direct train to Füssen.
   
   
   
   
   Car
   From Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany or Austria, the journey can be made in less than a day, as it will be always less than 1000 km whatever the origin city.
   
   The motorways in Germany are free of charge.
   
   
   
   
   Airplane

   The nearest airports are Memmingen, Innsbruck and Munich.

   
   


6. Parking :
   
   Our roadbook will inform you about car parks where you can leave your car during your bike trip.


7. Meeting point:
   
   The cycling journey begins in the morning of Day 2. A member of our local team will meet you in the morning at your accommodation or in a other agreed location.


8. Type of route:
   
   Itinerant loop. At the end of your journey, you return to your starting point.


9. Supervision:
   
   Self-guided, with telephone assistance in case of mechanical issues. To navigate, you will have a detailed roadbook, as well as GPS tracks of the route via an easy-to-use navigation app. As the navigation is satellite-based, no internet connection is required.


10. Level: intermediate
    
    
    • Elevation changes: the route remains at the bottom of the valleys and thus avoids most of the abruptnesses of the relief. Although there are sometimes hills to cross in order to link two valleys, the route is generally accessible to all, and is also possible by electric bike. At stage 2, a cable car (included in the price) will take you up to a higher altitude, and will provide you with a day where the majority of the ride is on a track that descends pleasantly (on a gentle slope) through the mountains. On some days, you can opt for a more sportive variant.
    
    
    • Length of the stages: about 40-55 km per day, giving you time to make many stops along the way. The 2nd stage is a little longer (63 km), but as the profile is clearly downhill, it is no more difficult than the other days.
    
    
    • Terrain: Alternating asphalt and compact gravel roads that do not require suspension or mountain bike tyres.
    
    All details are summarized in the table below.
    
    

    Table 1: Kilometers and height differences

    BAVARIA
    Stage	Variant	Kilometers	Height diff. + (m)	Height diff. - (m)	Estimated time
    Day 1	Arrival in Füssen
    Day 2 (Stage 1) Füssen - Ehrwald	Normal	39	490	310	2h56
    	Sporty	59	710	530	4h18
    Day 3 (Stage 2) Ehrwald - Garmisch-Partenkirchen	Normal	63	590	1260	4h34
    Day 4 (Stage 3) excursions around Garmisch-Partenkirchen	Partnach (on foot)	2,7	90	90	1h30
    	Loisach (by bike)	17	110	40	1h31
    Day 5 (Stage 4) Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Oberammergau	Normal	58	580	460	4h33
    Day 6 (Stage 5) Oberammergau - Füssen	Normal	50	360	400	3h34
    	Sporty	56	450	490	3h47
    Day 7	End of the stay - extra nights in option

    
    


11. Accommodation:
    
    Standard category: 2-3* hotels or guest rooms with equivalent comfort.
    
    Comfort+ category: 3* hotels or guest rooms with equivalent comfort.
    
    Whichever option you choose, the accommodations have all the comforts you need for a good night's sleep! All rooms have an ensuite bathroom and all accommodations have some space to store your bicycles.


12. Meals:
    
    Breakfasts are included. Lunch and dinner are at your leisure. During the day, you can eat in local restaurants (you will find daily suggestions in our roadbook) or have a picnic by buying food in the mini-markets. Half board is not available on this trip but you will always have a few restaurants at or within walking distance of your accommodation.
    


13. Luggage transport:
    
    You only carry your day's belongings during the cycling stages. Your luggage is transported from one accommodation to another by us, you find them at the end of the day at your accommodation. It is also possible to carry your belongings with you in side bags, as long-distance cyclists do. In this case, you get a discount.


14. Travel Documents:
    
    A detailed roadbook (in English), a topographical map of the route and GPS tracks (via our navigation app) will be sent to you before your departure.
    
    The roadbook, which you'll also receive in hard copy, contains not only a description of the route, but also a wealth of tourist and cultural information, restaurant suggestions and places to buy food along the way.


15. Bicycles:
    
    We offer quality bikes for hire, fully equipped and adapted to the type of terrain.
    
    Equipment includes a smartphone holder, a waterproof pannier, a lock, a repair set and (on request) a helmet.
    
    An electric bike can be hired for this trip.
    
    If you wish to bring your own bike, remember to check all the parts of the bike beforehand (wear and tear of brakes, tyres, sprockets, chain, etc.) to ensure that it is in technical order for a ride of 250 km (ca. 150 miles). The bikes suitable for this trip (knowing that many sections are on gravel tracks, even if these are always in good condition) are trekking bikes (hybrid bikes), mountain bikes, gravel bikes and e-bikes. Road bikes (tyres too thin for the gravel sections) and city bikes (insufficient number of gears) are not suitable.


16. Combine this trip with hiking:
    
    As this route passes through beautiful alpine valleys, it offers nice opportunities to get some height. That's why we have included a day without cycling in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which lies at the foot of the Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany at 2962m. It is possible to get up there by cogwheel train (by foot, it would take 2 days). Around the top, you can make some nice walks. Another very nice hike is the Partnach Gorge. You can combine the summit of the Zugspitze and the hike in the gorges in the same day without any problem.


17. Cancellation and assistance insurances:
    
    In order to guarantee reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay or in the event of problems (e.g. health, accident, theft, lost luggage, ...) during the trip, you can opt for a cancellation (CAP Explorer - premium cancellation) and/or assistance insurance (CAP Exporer - premium assistance). To learn more about our proposed insurances, click more info or ask us.

• A detailed roadbook in English or Dutch, produced by us during our scouting trip (Paper booklet + PDF)
• The GPS tracks of the route via our navigation app
• The GPS tracks of the hike in the Parntach gorge (via our app)
• A topographic map of the tour
• 6 nights in 2-3* hotels or equivalent guesthouses (at least 3* in case of comfort+ category)
• 6 breakfasts
• The transport of your luggage between the accommodations
• Luggage tags
• The ticket for the cable car (Day 3)
• Assistance and guidance in the event of a mechanical problem
• Tourist taxes
• Registration fees

• On-site rental of a bicycle without/with electric assistance
• The comfort+ accomodation category supplement
• The single room supplement
• Additional nights in Füssen or Garmisch-Partenkirchen
• Optional insurance: cancellation and/or 24/24 assistance (more info)

• The trip from your home to the meeting point, as well as the return
• Lunch and evening meals
• Entrances to tourist sites
• The bicycle supplement for the cable car (Day 3) - it has to be paid on site (3€/bicycle)
• Your personal expenses
• Anything not listed in "the price includes"

• Child discounts are applied (see table above) if there are at least 2 adults and you accept to sleep in family rooms when those are available. Big group discounts are also applied for groups of 3 people and more.
• If you wish to transport your luggage yourself from one accommodation to another, you benefit in this case from a discount. An additional bag will then be provided to you.
• A 'solo traveller' supplement of 140 € is counted for individuals doing this tour alone.

Ratings and reviews

"We did the itinerary between Bavaria and Tyrol last July 2023, and everything was perfect! The choice of hotels, the route, the recommendations and advice for visits, etc.! What exceptional organization! Regular follow-up on their part to ensure that everything was going well! We are delighted and highly recommend this agency!"  July 2023