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Germany

Bavarian Lakes

Self-Guided Family Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

7 days

Prices from

£665 P.P.
Child Discount Applies
Germany

Bavarian Lakes

Self-Guided Family Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

7 days

Prices from

£665 P.P.
Child Discount Applies
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3
A gently-paced, self-guided, family cycling holiday in Germany exploring the lakes of Bavaria. Enjoy your time cycling through tranquil, secluded valleys and lush alpine scenery with the ever-present dramatic backdrop of the Karwendel massif. Suitable for families with older children, with only a few short climbs where you can walk if you wish.
 
On a combination of cycle paths and quiet roads you meander along lake shores and through valleys with unspoilt natural beauty. Cycling through various ancient, picturesque Bavarian villages and towns, such as the richly decorated towns of Bad Tolz and Fall, will give you an insight into the local traditional way of life. Your ride will take you along the River Loisach through the Murnauer Moos nature reserve to the Winter Olympic Games town of Garmisch Partenkirchen. Here you can leave your bikes behind and take a cable car up Germany’s highest mountain, Zugspitze, from where there are breath-taking views of the surrounding Alps. Contact us with your preferred dates and let Skedaddle show you the best way to enjoy a cycling holiday with your family in Germany. If you're planning on cycling in Bavaria without children then take a look at the self-guided leisure version of the tour where you may find the information more relevant to your needs.
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Holiday Highlights

  • Staying at Lake Starnberger See – one of the most beautiful lakes in Munich
  • Visiting the famous Olympic town of Garmisch Partenkirchen, former home of the Winter Olympics
  • Enjoying the views of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze (2962 m)
  • Cycling alongside crystal clear waters and jumping in at the end of the day
  • Riding through the sunny Isar valley with your family

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What impressed us every day was how varied the scenery was, from forest paths to Alpine meadows, lovely towns and villages, river banks and lakes. We were never bored!

Lucinda, London

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival into Lake Starnberg
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Today you’ll arrive in Lake Starnberg. Your hire bikes and welcome packs (includes route notes and maps) will be waiting for you in the hotel. Starnberg is Bavaria’s second largest lake, and is a beautiful place to start your cycling holiday.

Optional Extra in Munich

If you’d prefer to arrive into Munich, we can organise an extra night for you at the start of your trip in the city centre. You can then take the train to Starnberg on day 2, where you’ll pick up your bikes ready to start cycling on day 3.

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Day 2
Lake Starnberg to Murnau um Staffelsee
19 Miles / 30 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

This morning you’ll head out on your bikes! You’ll cycle along the edge of lake Starnberg, marvelling at the glistening lake views. You’ll cycle through the nature protection area “Osterseen” (Easter lakes) where 19 small lakes form a unique highland moor area. This is a true paradise, which invites you to go for a swim. Next, you’ll cycle past one of Bavaria’s warmest lakes – the lake Froschhauser, before arriving in Murnau.

Murnau is a lovely town, and you’ll have time this afternoon to wander through its colourful old town, and explore some of its museums.

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Day 3
Murnau to Garmisch Partenkirchen
25 Miles / 40 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

In the morning you’ll cross Middle-Europe’s largest moor and swamp area, the Murnauer Moos nature reserve. Today’s route is really flat, largely along non asphalted, but pleasant to ride, trails.

You’ll follow the river Loisach through areas of unspoilt nature to the famous Olympic town of Garmisch Partenkirchen, former home of the Winter Olympics.

Today’s stage is kept quite brief, giving you plenty of time to take a cable car up Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze (2962 m) which provides breathtaking views of the Alps. If you set off early, you can often reach the Zugspitze by early afternoon; the best time for the best views!

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Day 4
Garmisch Partenkirchen to Fall
25 Miles / 40 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

This morning you’ll be greeted by breathtaking views of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze. Then you’ll set off on your bikes! Today there’ll be plenty of opportunity for a quick swim in one of the refreshing mountain lakes. You can also take a small detour to the adventure play area in Krün – great fun for children! Continuing on your bikes, you’ll pedal further past crystal-clear, turquoise lakes, until you reach the centre of Fall. If you’ve still got some energy, from your hotel in Fall you can rent canoes or stand up paddle boards (price not included – approx. 22 euros per person).

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Day 5
Fall to Bad Tölz
19 Miles / 30 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll leave the marvellous lake Sylvenstein as you head towards Bad Tölz. Crossing the mighty dame walls, you’ll cycle along the river Isar via the little town of Lenggries. Your route will wind through beautiful countryside, with plenty of chances to swim in the natural, outdoor pools. You might fancy challenging yourself to a high ropes course in Isarwinkel (price not included), before arriving in Bad Tölz.

This once-important trading place, situated at the crossing of two old trading routes (the river Isar and the old salt route from Reichenhall to Allgäu), still manages to impress with imposing, richly decorated old buildings.

The route today is flat all the way, so you can take your time gently meandering towards your destination.

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Day 6
Bad Töz to Lake Starnberg
19 Miles / 30 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

Your last day of cycling will take you back to Lake Starnberg. You’ll follow a gentle route, offering up some last minute opportunities to swim in the beautiful Bavarian lakes. We recommend enjoying a relaxing drink and bite to eat in a shady restaurant or pub garden today. Once you arrive back at the lake you might fancy taking a boat ride across the lake or enjoying one of the tasty homemade pastries in one of the many cafes. Maybe you will spot one of the celebs that often head to lake Starnberg!

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Day 7
Departure from Lake Starnberg
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  • Meals: Breakfast

Today it’s time to say tschüss to this beautiful part of Germany and head back to the airport for flights home. If you’d like a few more days to explore please do let us know and we can help organise this for you.

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The Cycling

Terrain

This tour follows the Isar Cycle Path, seeing you cycle along the glacial-green Isar river. The route follows mainly cycle paths and quiet roads, although the section between Wallgau and Fall follows slightly busier roads. The majority of the route will be on tarmac or well-surfaced cycle paths, with some short sections on hard packed gravel / dirt roads and farm tracks. Overall a relaxing cycle tour with only a few short ascents. We recommend a hybrid bike for this tour (not suitable for road bikes).

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Family Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 2 - 3: Gentle/ Moderate

Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays

Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes

Some modest climbs

Possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc)

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Holidays that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.

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The service provided from Saddle Skedaddle was excellent, with immediate responses to any questions I had – I couldn’t ask for more from them.

Dates & Prices

2021 and 2022 Daily departures available between 03 Apr and 09 Oct.

Season 1 For trips starting between (and inclusive of) the 03 Apr and the 30 Apr and the 25 Sep and the 09 Oct – £665 per adult.

Season 2 For trips starting between (and inclusive of) the 01 May and the 11 Jun and the 11 Sep and the 24 Sep: £695 per adult.

Season 3 For trips starting between (and inclusive of) the 12 Jun and the 10 Sep: £740 per adult.

We are able to offer the following discounts off the land only price for children.

0 – 5: Free Place

6 – 11 40%

12 – 14: 20%

15 and above: 10%

Available when the child is sharing a room with 2 fully-paying passengers (dependent on availability).

Choose your date
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
Return Date
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Duration
7 days
Price
£665.00
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Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in good quality 3* hotels and guesthouses

B) Meals as per the itinerary (B-Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) English-speaking local representative

D) Detailed route notes and maps

E) Luggage transfers

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike hire (available if required)

B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

C) Meals not stated in the itinerary

D) Single room (available if required)

E) Travel insurance

F) Personal clothing and equipment

G) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities etc)

H) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route

I) City or visitor’s tax where applicable.

J) Travel to first hotel on arrival day

K) Travel from final hotel on departure day

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The Essentials

Travel Options

For this tour we ask that you make your own way to your hotel at Lake Starnberg on arrival and onwards at the end of the trip. The most convenient airport is Munich airport (MUC). The cheapest and most convenient airline from the UK is easyJet who offer direct flights from London Stansted (STN), London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN) and Edinburgh (EDI). Flights are also available through Lufanthsa Airlines from London Heathrow (LHR) and Newcastle (NCL).

Your hotel will be in either Bernried or Ambach (depending on availability). From Munich airport you’ll take a direct train to Munich HBF central train station, for onward trains. From Munich central, there’s a direct train to Bernried station (takes approx. 40 minutes), and from here it’s a short walk or taxi ride to your hotel. For Ambach, you’ll take a direct train from Munich central to Wolfratshausen station (takes approx. 40 minutes). From the station you can take a taxi (15 mins approx.) or a public bus (number 373) to your hotel.

Alternatively, the channel ferry services and Euro Tunnel make driving a straightforward option with Starnberg approx. a 600 mile, 9 hour drive from Calais. Your first hotel has free parking spaces. You could alternatively take the Eurostar from the UK to Paris (Gare du Nord) or to Brussels (Midi/Zuid) and catch a train to Munich. Several rail services run into Munich from a variety of major European cities.

If you’d prefer to spend your first night in Munich this can be arranged – please contact our sales team. Please check with Skedaddle before booking any flights so that we can ensure they fit in with the holiday schedule.

Accommodation

On this trip you will be staying in a selection of 3* hotels and guesthouses. Subject to availability, there are triple and adjoining rooms available for you and your family. Please contact us with your prefered rooming arrangements and we can check availability for you.

Please note that a twin bedded room may be a typical Austrian Twin, which comprises two mattresses and two sets of bedding in the same large bed frame; it may not be possible to separate the mattresses. If you are opting for a twin room, we will pass your request for separate beds onto the hotels, but this cannot always be guaranteed.

Bike Hire

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to hire. These bikes are typically hybrids with semi slick tyres. For this trip we provide unisex bikes in various frame heights. (Men´s frames are available on request, but cannot always be guaranteed). There are e-bikes available to hire (only a small number, so on request). E-bikes will have pedal brakes rather than hand brakes. Bikes come equipped with a saddle and handlebar bag, a puncture repair kit, a cycle computer (odometer), a pump and a combination lock. You will need to bring along your own helmets. It is possible to bring your own saddle and/or pedals, but we ask that you bring along your own tools as you will need to fit them yourselves. If you bring your own saddle, we recommend you bring an adapter, due to differing saddle diameters. For children we can provide a bike, trailer, tag-along or child seat. We also offer a child’s bike equipped with a FollowMe.

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News, Reviews & Stories

Customer Story: Exploring the lakes of Bavaria!

Beautiful Bavaria!

Reviews

3

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