The best cycling and walking routes in and around Munich

Munich and its surroundings provide countless possibilities to explore the area either by bike or on foot. It is most enjoyable spring, with warmer temperatures and the first rays of sun. Whether young or old, alone or with family or friends, everyone will find a route for them to cycle or walk in Munich and its surroundings. In this article we will present you with the best cycling and walking routes in and around Munich.

Cycling

The Munich Transport and Tariff Association (MVV), together with the German National Cyclists’ Association (ADFC) will tell you all you need to know about the different routes for beautiful cycling tours in Munich and its immediate surroundings. The 41-kilometer-long tour “To Schäftlarn Abbey” begins at Starnberg station and goes through the Isar Valley, passing the impressive Schäftlarn Abbey. After passing through numerous small villages and forests, the journey comes to an end at the station in Sauerlach. This tour is especially well-suited to athletic cyclists, as the challenging ascent out of the Isar Valley and many upward inclines demand a good physical condition.

Another beautiful route is “To Lake Wessling”, which begins at Schöngeising station and is exceptionally suited to hobby cyclists. You can criss-cross small, cozy villages on the 30-kilometer-long route along old Roman roads before reaching the destination, Lake Wessling. As some of the roads are also used by cars, this route is not recommended for families with small children.

The route from Lake Starnberg to Dachau comprises a light 38-kilometer route along the River Würm via Pasing and Blutenburg Castle. The “Würm Valley Tour” needs approximately four hours if you don't take long breaks. Lake Waldschwaig in Dachau and the St. George’s Churches in Obermenzing and in Steinkirchen, among others, can all be seen on this route.

If you would like to explore Munich by bike, then you might also try the “English Tour”, approximately 15 km long and taking around two hours (including Marienplatz, Maximilianeum, down the Isar, Beer Garden, English Garden, Court Garden). Just as interesting are the “Isar Tour”, comprising around 18 km and a duration of around two-and-a-half hours (including Marienplatz, Museumsinsel, up the Isar, Hellabrunn, Menterschwaige, Floßländer, Gärtnerplatz), and the “Great Overview Tour”, which lasts just under three hours and is around 23.5 km long (including the old town, Kunstareal, Königsplatz, Nymphenburg, Olympiapark, Schwabing, Siegestor).

Walking

Forstenrieder Park as well as Perlacher Forest and Grünwalder Forest are all well-suited to cycling trips, but also for walking. Walkers can choose from a total of 54 walks, 9 long-distance hikes and 2 theme trails in these locations.

Thalkirchen, too, offers a pleasant circular route that takes between one-and-a-half and two hours. The starting point is Thalkirchen U-Bahn station. From here, the route heads up the Isar and over the Großhesseloher Bridge to Solln. The walk then leads down river to Lake Hinterbrühl, past the Floßlände raft landing areas, and back to the starting point.

An approximately one-hour-long walk takes you from the Deutsches Museum to Hellabrunn Zoo after around 4.5 km. This route, known as the Planets Walk because it represents the size and distance of the planets from the sun, goes along the east bank of the Isar all the way to Hellabrunn Zoo, and provides a marvelous walk through the idyllic Isar meadows.

Olympiapark attracts countless visitors, especially when the weather is nice. You can take pleasant strolls on the many paths along the Olympic Lake, and take a break in the restaurants, such as Restaurant Olympiasee with its lake view or the Beer Garden on Coubertinplatz.

The Allacher Lohe nature reserve in Munich-Allach, spanning almost 150 hectares, is also ideal for relaxed walks in a green setting. A vast array of rare plant and animal species make the Allacher Lohe a particularly beautiful and interesting place to visit.

From Munich-Neuaubing, where our latest project, “GLEISHARFE süd”, is coming to fruition, you can reach Starnberg station and Munich’s old town in around 25 minutes by public transport. Marienplatz is around 20 minutes away by public transport, and the Deutsches Museum around 30 minutes. The journey time from Neuaubing to Forstenrieder Park and Olympiapark is around 20 minutes by car, while the Allacher Lohe is around 25 minutes away by car.

We hope you have fun exploring the many beautiful cycling and walking possibilities on offer both in and around Munich.

Your DEMOS Team