When it comes to the area of the Bavarian lakes – the Upper Bavarian alpine upland – many cyclists think happily of pastures and lakes, traditions and leather trousers, beer and liver dumplings. And you will not be disappointed! Lovely landscapes and ringing cowbells, lush meadows and romantic alpine cabins, Baroque churches and deep blue lakes – all this is waiting for you on this beautiful round trip. The Fugger city of Augsburg, Rococo, King Ludwig’s castles and the traces of the Romans along the Via Claudia Augusta make you feel like cycling through times long past.
Let's start in Augsburg! The Fugger merchant family made the city a centre of trade and enjoyment hundreds of years ago. The architecture around the old town, the Fuggerei, the town hall and much more still hint at the unique past.
Next, the beautiful Wörthsee awaits your visit and afterwards you pass the Andechs Monastery on your way to the artist town of Murnau. From organic farms to a brewery - a stop at the Benedictine monks is always worthwhile. From now on, it's one after the other: the Wieskirche, a rococo jewel with its 36-metre-high tower, and finally Füssen/Schwangau with the breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle. No wonder the Romantic Road is called that. Via Schongau and Landsberg am Lech, the journey finally returns to Augsburg.
Highlights
- The Fugger city of Augsburg is the third largest city in Bavaria and has a lot to offer: In the centre of the old town you should definitely visit the town hall with the Golden Hall and nearby the Perlachturm, the Weberhaus and the cathedral. The beer garden at the old city wall "Lueginsland" and the Mediterranean-style Damenhof are great places to stop.
- Wonderful swimming opportunities in the lakes: Wörthsee, Ammersee, Staffelsee, Riegsee - the glittering treasures of the journey invite you to swim, relax and of course have fun and action. Rent a pedal boat or, in the case of Lake Wörth, an original Venetian gondola!
- King Ludwig's fairytale castles: Neuschwanstein Castle was built from the remains of two castles in 1868 and is still considered the fairytale castle par excellence. Directly opposite is the equally worthwhile Hohenschwangau Castle - take a look at the royal residences, the castle kitchen and stroll through the castle garden.
- The wild and romantic river Lech: From Vorarlberg through Tyrol and in Bavaria to the Danube - by the way, the Celts called the river “der Steinige” or "the stony one", which can still be traced today at the Schötterbänken. In Landsberg, you have the opportunity to observe the power of the river, which is still used to generate electricity, on the bridges.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrrival in Augsburg
- Day 2: From Augsburg to Lake Wörthsee (approx. 65 km by bike)
- Day 3: From Lake Wörthsee to Murnau (approx. 60 km by bike)
- Day 4: From Murnau to Füssen (approx. 60 km by bike)
- Day 5: From Füssen to Schongau (approx. 50 km by bike)
- Day 6: From Schongau to Landsberg (approx. 40 kmby bike)
- Day 7: From Landsberg to Augsburg (approx. 50 km bike)
- Day 8: Departure or Extension
All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork. In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrrival in Augsburg
Highlights:Tour information and bike fitting. Your first stage will take you through lush meadows and unspoilt Bavarian towns to Lake Ammersee. Cosy restaurants with sunny terraces and shady gardens on the lakeside invite you to stay and take a rest. Then you will continue your tour to Lake Wörthsee, which only needs the first spring sunbeams to warm up quickly.
Day 3: From Lake Wörthsee to Murnau | approx. 60 km
Highlights: On the third day, you will pedal directly along Lake Wörthsee and Lake Pilsensee to the monastery of Andech. You will ride your bike through Pfaffenwinkel and past unspoilt Bavarian towns – the monks of the twelve surrounding monasteries contributed to the appearance of these places. Bathing facilities can be found at Lake Ammersee, but also at Lake Staffelsee and Lake Riegsee in Murnau.
Day 4: From Murnau to Füssen | approx. 60 km
Highlights: Today, you will find magnificent grasslands and alpine romantic on your way to Füssen/Schwangau. On your way, you will be able to visit the world famous church Wieskirche – the epitome of Bavarian Rococo.
Day 5: From Füssen to Schongau | approx. 50 km
From Füssen you cycle northwards on the Lech cycle path along the shimmering blue Forgensee. The mountains behind you become smaller again. Enjoy the views back during a break at the Lechsee lake before continuing along the Via Claudia Augusta to Schongau.
Day 6: From Schongau to Landsberg | approx. 35 km
Highlights: Schongau, a former Bavarian frontier forth with fortified passages on the city wall, testifies to the past. The splendid view of the Lech Valley promises greatness. The cities Altenstadt (Roman basilica with vaults), Hochenfurch, Epfach (the Roman Abodiacum, Roman museum), and Vilgertshofen (Baroque pilgrimage church) are worth seeing before you get to Landsberg
Day 7: From Landsberg to Augsburg | approx. 45 km
Highlights: You should not miss visiting the medieval city centre of Landsberg/Lech which is embedded in a wildly romantic river bed, the historic city hall, and the Gothic Bavarian Gate. Via Kaufering am Lech, you will pedal to Königsbrunn (with 11 kilometres in length the best-preserved section of the Via Claudia). Then, you will continue your journey to the old Bavarian duke city of Friedberg and further to the Fugger city Augsburg with its famous Fuggerei from the year 1516. Numerous monuments from all eras, such as Elias Holl’s town hall, characterize the cityscape.
Day 8: Departure or extension
- Total Distance: 315 (195 miles)
- Daily Distance: 35-65km (21-40miles)
- Route information: You will ride your bike on many cycle paths and side roads with little traffic. On the first three stages, you will need to cycle some climbs. Mostly, the roads are paved. However, some longer sections are on gravel paths. From Füssen to Augsburg, along the river Lech, you will find yourself mainly on flat terrain.
- This tour is available between April 13 and October 5
- Starts every Saturday and Sunday
