Touring Bike (EB)
£77 for 7 days
This unique journey proves that crossing the Alps doesn’t have to be extreme. From vibrant Munich to the palm-lined promenades of Merano, you'll experience an astonishing variety of landscapes and cultures - with plenty of time to soak it all in. Follow well-developed bike paths through Bavaria’s lakes, Austria’s Tyrolean valleys, and Italy’s South Tyrol, with stunning mountain views, quaint alpine towns, and rich cultural heritage all along the way.
Whether you're an experienced cyclist or just enjoy leisurely touring, this is a rewarding and surprisingly relaxed Alpine adventure.
Highlights
Arrive in Bavaria’s lively capital, full of green spaces and classic beer halls. Take time to explore the English Garden, the Marienplatz, and the famous Hofbräuhaus before your cycling journey begins.
Cycle out of Munich through Forstenrieder Park, heading south to the tranquil waters of Lake Starnberg. Follow the shoreline to Seeshaupt, then continue past Lake Osterseen and Lake Riegsee through peaceful countryside to reach Murnau am Staffelsee, framed by mountain views.
Ride through the Murnauer Moos, the largest moorland in Central Europe. Follow the River Loisach to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where a short stage leaves time for a ride up the Zugspitze (2,962 m) via cog railway for incredible alpine panoramas.
Cycle along a well-developed path toward the Isar River, passing into the Karwendel mountains with stunning views. Stop in Mittenwald, known for its colourful frescoes and violin-making heritage. Continue into Austria via the lush Leutasch Valley, following the sparkling Leutasch stream to your overnight stay.
Climb gently from Leutasch into the Inn Valley, with an 8 km (5 mi) descent into Telfs. Follow the River Inn on former towpaths to Stams, home to a grand Baroque monastery, and continue through alpine landscapes to Imst, also called the "North Tyrolean Merano".
Follow the River Inn past Zams to Landeck, then take a comfortable bus transfer up to Nauders. From there, cycle just under 100 vertical metres (330 ft) to the Resia Pass, the Alpine watershed. Then it's a rewarding downhill glide past Lake Resia into Italy’s South Tyrol, finishing in peaceful San Valentino.
Enjoy a long and beautiful descent through the Venosta Valley. Visit Glurns, with its intact medieval walls, pass the Montani ruins, and continue through the orchard-lined path via Silandro to Merano, famed for its thermal baths, palm trees, and Tyrolean-Italian flair. Castles, such as Juval Castle (home of Reinhold Messner), and views of the Ortler massif frame the route. The Venosta Railway offers an easy option to shorten the ride.
Merano is a tempting place to linger. Enjoy a few extra days to relax, or continue your cycling adventure onward - perhaps south toward Lake Garda.
We recommend flying to Munich and returning from Bolzano.
£77 for 7 days
£140 for 7 days
£161 for 7 days
£231 for 7 days
£70 for 7 days
£105 for 7 days
£70 for 7 days
£35 for 7 days
Not available for hire
Tyrol, Austria • Lake Garda, Italy • Bavaria, Germany • South Tyrol, Italy
Getting to the start (Munich)
By plane: Munich International Airport (MUC) has excellent direct connections from UK airports with Lufthansa, British Airways and easyJet. The S-Bahn runs from the airport to Munich city centre in around 40 to 45 minutes. Munich is a major European hub and a natural starting point for Alpine cycling tours.
By car: Munich is around 1,100km from Calais, taking approximately 9 to 10 hours. The A95 leads south towards Innsbruck and the Austrian Alps, and onward to Merano in around 3 hours.
Getting home from the tour (Bolzano / Merano, South Tyrol)
By plane: The nearest major airports are Innsbruck (INN), around 1 hour north, and Verona (VRN), around 1.5 hours south. Both have UK connections, with Innsbruck served by easyJet and Ryanair from several UK airports, and Verona by Ryanair and easyJet.
By car: A one-way car hire from Munich to Bolzano is a practical option, allowing you to drive through the Brenner Pass (the main A22 motorway). The drive takes around 3 hours.
Bikes are not included. You are welcome to bring your own bike or hire one. Please see our bike hire section for details.
Flights are not included. Please refer to the what's included section for full details.
We will confirm your booking within 48 hours of receiving your enquiry. Please wait for confirmation before booking flights or making other travel arrangements.
Most itineraries include cycling on most days, with some rest or shorter days built in. Please check the itinerary for day-by-day details.
The latest you can book is 9 days before departure. This gives us enough time to confirm arrangements and accommodation.
You will receive full travel details, including accommodation, meeting points and local contacts, 3 to 5 weeks before departure.
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