Munich to Lake Garda

The Bavarian capital delights with its historic old town, world-class museums, and famous beer garden culture. Stroll through the English Garden, visit the Marienplatz, and stop at a Hofbräuhaus or garden café for a first taste of Bavaria. The city is a wonderful place to arrive a day early.

Example accommodation: Marriott Hotel City West ****

You leave Munich via the Forstenrieder Park, cycling south to Lake Starnberg. The lakeshore path — one of Bavaria's finest — follows the western shore to Ambach or further to Bernried, with crystal-clear views across the water to the mountains beyond.

Example accommodation: Landhotel Huber am See ***

Cycling from Riegsee to Murnau through the Murnauer Moos — Central Europe's largest moorland — and on along the Loisach to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. An optional ride on the Zugspitzbahn railway to Germany's highest summit at 2,962 metres is a spectacular detour with panoramic Alpine views.

Example accommodation: Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten ***

A beautiful cycle path follows the Isar all the way to Mittenwald, a town famous for its Luftlmalerei — traditional fresco paintings on the building facades. The route then climbs spectacularly through the Leutaschtal valley into Austria, following the Leutascher Bach stream to your overnight stop.

Example accommodation: Hotel Bergfrieden ***

A gently rolling country road leads down to Telfs, then the old towpath beside the Inn River carries you west to Stams with its beautiful baroque Cistercian abbey. Imst — often called the Merano of North Tyrol — is an attractive overnight stop in the heart of the Inn Valley.

Example accommodation: Hotel Hirschen ***

The route passes the monastery at Zams to Landeck, where a bus transfer takes you up to Nauders — sparing you the climb over the Reschen Pass while leaving less than 70 metres of climbing to the summit. A long descent past Lake Reschen then leads into Mals, with its remarkable medieval towers, or nearby Burgeis at the foot of Marienberg Castle.

Example accommodation: Hotel zum Hirschen ***

A spectacular day of descending through the Vinschgau valley. You pass the fully preserved medieval city walls of Glurns, Schlanders, and castles perched on the hillside — including Reinhold Messner's Juval Castle. The Stelvio Pass rises dramatically to the south as you follow the valley floor to Merano, the elegant spa town beloved by Habsburg royalty.

Example accommodation: Hotel Villa Laurus ***

You cycle through Lana and along the South Tyrolean Wine Route, past orchards, vineyards and the ruins of Hocheppan Castle with its remarkable 12th-century frescoes, before reaching the turquoise Lake Kaltern. Overnight in the cosy wine village of Auer.

Example accommodation: Hotel Villa Groff ***

The Adige cycle path carries you south through the famous Trentino vineyards to Salurn, where German-speaking South Tyrol gives way to Italian Trentino. Trento's impressive old town, with its cathedral and the Buonconsiglio Castle, rewards your arrival.

Example accommodation: NH Hotel Trento ****

Following the Adige to Rovereto — home of the Mart modern art museum — you head west towards Lake Garda. A short climb over the Passo San Giovanni is rewarded with a spectacular descent to Torbole, where the lake suddenly appears in all its glory. Stop at the legendary Gelateria Bologna in Mori for pistachio ice cream before the final glide to the lake.

Example accommodation: Hotel Paradiso Conca D-Oro ***