Germany + Austria Bike Tour

Meet your guides at the Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station and take a look around: you’re now in the storybook setting of rural Bavaria, where cobbled streets are lined with wooden chalets and the Bavarian Alps beyond. Get fitted on the bikes at our stunning castle hotel before setting off through the car-free countryside. Take in jaw-dropping views of the Bavarian Alps as we pedal through the pastures to Mittenwald for lunch. Then opt for a longer loop across the border into Austria or some extra time enjoying the pools, spa and amenities at the Schloss Elmau hotel. Tonight regroup for drinks and dinner as we watch the sun set over the mountains.  

Savor breakfast with a mountain view before setting off on a big adventure. We’ll cross a section of Roman road that runs ruler-straight through the forest before turning onto the Risstal—a traffic-free ribbon of tarmac surrounded by a sea of wildflowers. Here, there’s precious little sound except your shifting gears and the occasional clang of cowbells. Cross into Austria as we gradually climb into Grosser Ahornboden, or “Great Maple Floor,” an Alpine pasture peppered with ancient sycamore trees. The reward, apart from the views, is lunch at an Alm, a German mountain farm. Opt for a transfer to the hotel after lunch, or ride back for one final push. Tonight, choose between the various restaurants at the hotel for dinner

Auf wiedersehen, Germany! We’re riding into Austria again for the day, but first we’ll transfer to the Ettal Abbey—a 14th-century Benedictine monastery. Then pedal through a fairytale forest to King Ludwig’s most complete masterpiece: the Linderhof Palace. Take a turn around the manicured grounds and opulent interiors. For lunch we’ll continue the ride to the Plansee, an impossibly blue Alpine lake at the base of the Wetterstein Mountains. After lunch we’ll finally cross back into Germany where our castle hotel awaits us, perched in the most romantic German location, on top of a mountain. Opt to ride or transfer up to this boutique property where we’ll settle in for a gourmet dinner.  

Today we take a loop through Ostallgäu, the region on the Germany-Austria border where Bavarian King Ludwig II—sometimes called the Fairytale King—built his collection of castles. Our route is something of a fairytale itself as we pedal to the Alatsee, a tiny gem of a mountain lake, then follow the Lech River to Füssen. Here, Neuschwanstein castle—Ludwig’s crowning achievement and the inspiration for Disney’s iconic castle—rises majestically amidst the mountain peaks. We’ll step into the story ourselves during a visit to this hilltop palace before cycling into Füssen for lunch. Afterwards, wander the cobbled streets and admire the traditional architecture of this pretty pastel town. Our day ends in true Bavarian style with a ride to a local brewery, where we’ll raise steins alongside the locals at communal wooden tables.

Picture Bavaria, and its crystal-clear mountain seen (lakes) come to mind—the places where locals gather to relax, swim, and soak up the Alpine scenery. Our route today weaves through pastures and pine forests, passing countless lakes as we work our way west towards the Allgäu Alps. Along the way, we’ll meet some local characters and enjoy a pop-up lunch with our friend, chef Florian. After plenty of spätzle, you’ll be well-fueled for the optional longer ride that approaches our final boutique hotel. Take a well-earned dip in the pool before a final cocktail and dinner.

Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then spend your last morning in Bavaria hiking, swimming, or taking one final stroll around the town of Oberstaufen before catching the train back to Munich— (or to your next destination).