Munich to Lake Garda
This journey takes you across the Alps and through three regions: Germany, Austria and Italy, more precisely, Bavaria, Tyrol and South Tyrol. It begins with the charm of Munich captivating you as you stroll through Odeonsplatz or wander around the English Garden. Passing by Lake Starnberg and the majestic Zugspitze, you continue through the Leutasch Valley into Austria’s Inn Valley.
We’ll spare you the climb over the Reschen Pass, but on the descent you’re back in the saddle as picturesque South Tyrol welcomes you with stunning views of the Ortler and Karwendel mountains. Soon, you’ll pass castles and palaces, vineyards and apple orchards, before reaching Merano, immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this renowned spa town before continuing your journey on the final stages to the wonderful Lake Garda!
£70 per person off all September and October dates!
Book now with dates available in 2027!
Itinerary
The Bavarian state capital offers visitors a wealth of attractions, from the expansive English Garden and the historic Town Hall to the iconic Hofbräuhaus.
You leave Munich via Forstenrieder Park and cycle on towards Lake Starnberg. From Starnberg, you follow the lakeside either to Ambach or continue on to Bernried. The lake impresses with its crystal-clear waters and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
You begin your ride by cycling from Riegsee to Murnau. Along the way, you’ll pass the Murnauer Moos nature reserve, the largest moorland in Central Europe. Following the unspoilt natural landscape, you continue along the River Loisach to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Here, you have the option to take the Zugspitzbahn railway up to 2,962 metres (9,718 feet) — available as an optional excursion. The panoramic views across the Alps are truly spectacular.
Today, you’ll reach the Inn Valley. Leaving Leutasch, you follow a gently undulating country road before enjoying an eight-kilometre (around five-mile) descent into Telfs. From there, you cycle along the former towpath beside the River Inn to Stams, known for its beautiful Baroque Cistercian abbey. Continuing through Haiming, it’s a short ride to Imst, often referred to as the “Merano of North Tyrol”.
This stage takes you past the monastery at Zams to Landeck. From there, a bus transfer carries you up to Nauders, leaving just under 70 metres (around 230 feet) of climbing to reach the Reschen Pass. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a descent to Lake Reschen before continuing along the cycle path to Mals, known for its many towers, or to Burgeis at the foot of Marienberg Castle.
Take time to visit the well-preserved medieval town walls of Glurns. From there, cycle past the Montani ruins and continue downhill through Schlanders to Merano. Along the way, you’ll pass a number of castles and stately homes, including mountaineer Reinhold Messner’s Juval Castle, set high above the route. Enjoy impressive views of the Ortler massif and the Stelvio Pass as you ride. Since 2004, the Vinschgau railway between Mals and Merano has been back in service, giving you the option to complete sections of the route by train whenever you wish.
You cycle through Lana and past countless orchards and vineyards along the South Tyrolean Wine Route, passing a host of fortified castles, stately homes and ruins, such as Hocheppan with its striking frescoes—before reaching Lake Kaltern. You’ll stay overnight in the welcoming wine village of Auer.
You follow a well-developed cycle path along the River Adige to Salurn, where German-speaking South Tyrol comes to an end. The renowned vineyards of Trentino lie just beyond the embankment paths, which lead all the way to Trento, with its impressive historic centre, cathedral and Buonconsiglio Castle.
You continue along the cycle path beside the River Adige, passing through the historic Tyrolean border town of Rovereto on your way to Mori. From here, the route turns west towards Lake Garda. While in Mori, it’s worth stopping at Gelateria Bologna to sample their famous pistachio ice cream or enjoy a freshly pressed fruit juice. After a short climb over the Passo San Giovanni (around 150 metres / 490 feet), you’ll be rewarded with a descent to the lake, arriving in either Torbole or Riva.
Departure from Torbole or Riva del Garda. Alternatively, spend extra nights in the city or the surrounding region.
Arrival: Munich
Departure: Riva del Garda / Torbole
Nearest arrival airport(s): Munich
Nearest departure airport(s): Milan or Milan Bergamo
We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Munich by rail.
Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request. Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the details of the holiday.
Route overview
Starting point: Munich
End point: Torbole / Riva del Garda
Distance: approx. 485 km
Route information
Well-maintained cycle paths, peaceful country lanes, and only short sections on busier roads make the Munich to Lake Garda route one of Europe’s most enjoyable Alpine crossings. Starting in Munich, the journey leads south through the Bavarian countryside, past lakes, historic towns, and mountain scenery before reaching the Austrian Tyrol. Gentle daily climbs are part of the adventure, but the most demanding ascent to the Reschen Pass is conveniently avoided with a comfortable bus transfer.
From the pass, the reward is spectacular: an exhilarating descent of around 1,200 metres (3,937 feet) through the Vinschgau Valley towards Merano, surrounded by orchards, vineyards, and dramatic peaks. Continuing south, the route follows riverside cycleways and scenic valleys through South Tyrol and Trentino, passing charming towns such as Bolzano and Trento before arriving at the sparkling shores of Lake Garda.
The surface is predominantly paved and smooth, with occasional longer stretches of well-maintained gravel or natural tracks suitable for touring bikes and e-bikes.
Bike hire options
This cycling holiday benefits from high-quality bike hire options that have been carefully selected for the tour. Each well-maintained bike has modern V-brakes, aluminium wheels and puncture-proof tyres based around a KTM frame. Dynamo lights, small panniers, repair accessories, a handlebar bag and a comfortable saddle ensure that you have everything you need for an enjoyable cycle tour. Rental bike insurance is included in every booking.
Standard Unisex Bike 21/24-gears
Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm (heights approx. 148 cm to 190 cm)
Standard Men’s Bike 21-gears with crossbar
Sizes: 63 / 60 / 56-51 cm (heights approx. 165 cm to 205 cm)
Rental Bike PLUS
Rental Bike PLUS is designed for a slightly sportier sitting position and finely tuned gears offer excellent riding flexibility. The KTM aluminium frame has a high-quality Suntour suspension fork and puncture-proof tyres.
Sizes: 63 / 60 / 55 / 51 / 50 / 46 cm (heights approx. 155 cm to 205 cm)
Unisex Electric Bike
The electric bikes available on this tour assist up to 25 km/h whilst pedalling. The pedalec motor is in the bottom bracket of the frame and the detachable batteries last for approximately 120 km. Each bike has an illuminated LCD and 8-speed internal hub gears. They weigh 23 kg and have a back-pedal brake. Only limited numbers are available.
Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 46 ‘xs’ cm (heights approx. 148 cm to 195 cm)
What’s included
- Accommodation in 3*** hotels. In Munich, a 4**** hotel
- Breakfast
- Welcome briefing
- Luggage transfers
- Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
- 1 transfer by minibus from Landeck to Nauders including your bike
- 1 pistachio ice-cream or 1 freshly squeezed fruit juice on the way to Lake Garda
- Service hotline
Not included
- Travel to/from the start and finish (Flights/Trains)
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets (Please bring your own cycle helmet with you)
- Water bottles
- Travel insurance
- Bike hire (Rental bike insurance included)
- Bike insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
- SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: £419 PER PERSON
- EXTRA NIGHT(S) – Munich: £119 PER PERSON PER NIGHT INC. BREAKFAST
- EXTRA NIGHT(S) – Torbole/Riva: £79 PER PERSON PER NIGHT INC. BREAKFAST
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Bike Hire Options
- 21/24/27-gear unisex/men’s inc. rental bike insurance: £109
- Rental Bike PLUS inc. rental bike insurance: £199
- Electric bike inc. rental bike insurance: £299
You can select your bike hire options in the ‘Book Now’ section.
Check Availability
2026/27 cycling holidays
All prices shown are per person, sharing a double/twin room and exclude flights/bike hire.
Special Offer: £70 per person off all September AND ocTOBER prices!
Contact us for more information, a price match, or call 017687 71700. Offer valid on new bookings only and until the 31st August 2026.
NEW FOR 2027
To make a booking, simply use the filter and select the day of the week that the tour operates on. You’ll then see all of the tour dates and prices easily. No payment is taken at this stage. For all bookings, we take a 20% deposit, and the final balance is due 56 days before arrival. An invoice and online payment link are generated after the tour is confirmed.
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