Munich-Meran

Individual journey to Munich. Information and bike pick-up (if booked). The state capital of Bavaria awaits its visitors with numerous sights (English Garden, Town Hall, Hofbräuhaus, ...).

From Munich through Forstenrieder Park to Lake Starnberg. From Starnberg on the cycle path directly along the lakeshore to Ambach or on to Bernried. The lake attracts visitors with its crystal-clear water and wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

Firstly, cycle past the Riegsee lake to Murnau. Continue through the Murnauer Moos nature reserve (the largest moorland area in Central Europe) and through unspoilt nature following the river Loisach to Garmisch Partenkirchen. Here you can take a ride on the Zugspitzbahn railway to an altitude of 2962 m (1.89 mi) (on your own). From there you have a marvellous view over the Alps.

Today you cycle along the beautifully laid out cycle path to the Isar. Cycle through the sunny high valley with marvellous panoramic views of the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountains to Mittenwald. You should definitely take a break here and stroll through the village decorated with Lüftlmalerei paintings. The spectacular route then continues through Leutaschklamm gorge to Austria. Cycle along the Leutasch stream through the beautiful valley to your overnight accommodation. 

Today you head over into the Inn Valley. You leave Leutasch on a gently undulating country road before an eight-kilometre descent takes you to Telfs. Cycle along the Inn on the former towpath to reach Stams with its baroque Cistercian monastery. Via Haiming, it is then not far to Imst, the ‘Merano of North Tyrol’.

Cycle along the Inn past Zams Monastery to Landeck. Here a bus transfer takes you up to Nauders. Just under 70 metres (230 ft) in altitude remain to the Reschen Pass. You then descend to the Reschensee lake and continue along the cycle path to Mals with its many-towered town centre or Burgeis at the foot of the Marienburg castle.

The fully preserved medieval town wall of Glorenza/Glurns is the first highlight. Cycle down to Merano via the mining ruins in Silandro/Schlanders. Castles and palaces (Juval Castle by mountaineer Reinhold Messner) lie along or high above the route. You can enjoy views of the impressive Ortler massif and the Stelvio Pass while cycling. The Vinschgau railway between Malles/Mals and Merano/Meran has been in operation again since 2004 and can be used to cover part of the route at almost any time.

After breakfast, individual return journey or start of your extension.