1
Jump to content
(Link opens in a new tab)
Jump to footer
(Link opens in a new tab)
Book now
To the online version
Stone bridge crossing green river in Trento with forested mountains in background and colorful buildings along the riverbank.

Munich - Meran - Lake Garda

The essentials at a glance

This Alpine cycling tour leads from Munich through Bavaria to Lake Garda, covering well-maintained bike paths and quiet roads. The route passes Lake Starnberg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen with views of the Zugspitze, and through Austria's Inn Valley. A bus transfer crosses the Reschen Pass before a scenic descent to Merano. Continue through South Tyrol's wine country, past medieval Glurns and numerous castles, along the Adige River to Trento, finishing at Lake Garda. Daily distances average 45-65 km with small climbs.

Alpine crossing made easy

South Tyrol is more than just a place to visit—it’s a region to truly discover. The route from Merano to Lake Garda provides an excellent introduction. Follow the Adige River to Bolzano, where you can visit Ötzi and savor a cappuccino under charming arcades. On the way south, you’ll pass vineyards and historic ruins, including the renowned Sigmundskron Castle. In the picturesque wine villages, pause to sample local wines before reaching the bishop’s city of Trento. The Mediterranean landscape accompanies your final kilometers along Italy’s largest lake, with idyllic promenades and rolling hills creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

Easy to moderate
Bike tours
11 Days / 10 Nights
Self-guided tour

Itinerary

Individual journey to Munich. Information and bike pick-up (if booked). The state capital of Bavaria awaits its visitors with numerous sights (English Garden, Town Hall, Hofbräuhaus, ...).

From Munich through Forstenrieder Park to Lake Starnberg. From Starnberg on the cycle path directly along the lakeshore to Ambach or on to Bernried. The lake attracts visitors with its crystal-clear water and wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

You start your ride cycling from Riegsee to Murnau. Along the way, you’ll pass the Murnauer Moos nature reserve, the largest moorland in Central Europe. Following the pristine natural landscape, you continue along the Loisach River to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Here, you have the option to take the Zugspitzbahn railway up to 2,962 meters (9,718 feet) — available as an optional excursion. The panoramic views over the Alps are truly spectacular.

Today, you’ll follow a beautifully maintained cycle path all the way to the Isar River. Cycling through the sunny high valley, you’ll be treated to stunning panoramas of the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountain ranges as you make your way to Mittenwald. Take a break and explore this charming town, famous for its Lüftlmalerei—traditional fresco paintings. The route then spectacularly leads you through the Leutaschtal into Austria. Following the Leutascher Bach stream, you cycle through this picturesque valley until you reach your overnight stop.

Today, you’ll arrive in the Inn Valley. Leaving Leutasch, you’ll follow a gently rolling country road before enjoying an eight-kilometer (about 5 miles) descent into Telfs. From there, you’ll cycle along the former towpath beside the Inn River to reach Stams, renowned 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 leads you past the monastery of Zams to Landeck. From there, a bus transfer takes you up to Nauders, leaving just under 70 meters (about 230 feet) of climbing to reach the Reschen Pass. Afterward, you’ll enjoy a descent down to Lake Reschen before continuing along the cycle path to Mals, famous for its many towers, or to Burgeis at the foot of Marienberg Castle.

Visit the fully preserved medieval city walls of Glurns. From there, cycle through the Montani ruins and continue down through Schlanders to Meran. Along the way, you’ll pass castles and palaces, including mountaineer Reinhold Messner’s Juval Castle, perched high above the route. Enjoy stunning views of the impressive Ortler massif and the Stelvio Pass as you ride. Since 2004, the Vinschgau railway between Mals and Meran has been back in operation, allowing you to cover parts 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 numerous fortified castles, palaces, and ruins such as Hocheppan with its remarkable frescoes, before reaching Lake Kaltern. Overnight stays are in the cozy wine village of Auer.

You follow the beautifully developed cycle path along the Adige River to Salurn, where the German-speaking South Tyrol comes to an end. The famous vineyards of Trentino lie just off the dike paths, which lead all the way to Trento, with its impressive old town featuring a cathedral and the Buonconsiglio Castle.

You continue along the cycle path following the Adige River, passing through the historic Tyrolean border town of Rovereto, all the way to Mori. From here, the route heads west toward Lake Garda. In Mori, be sure to stop at Gelateria Bologna to try their renowned pistachio ice cream or a freshly pressed fruit juice. After a short climb over the small Passo San Giovanni (about 150 meters / 490 feet), you’ll enjoy a descent down to the lake, arriving at either Torbole or Riva.

Day 11

Departure or extension

Difficutly level

Easy to moderate

Well-maintained bike paths, quiet side roads, and only brief stretches on main roads make this Alpine crossing a true pleasure. While small climbs are part of the daily routine, the challenging Reschen Pass is comfortably bypassed by bus transfer. From there, you’ll enjoy around 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) of downhill cycling all the way to Merano. The route is mostly paved, with some longer sections on well-maintained gravel or natural roads.

Map showing cycling route from Munich through Austria to Lake Garda, Italy. Red dots mark stops including Starnberger See, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Riva del Garda.

Preise & Termine

Printed route book – sustainability with Rückenwind

Your travel package includes a digital route book as standard. If you would like a printed version, please let us know when you book. The surcharge is € 20 per route book and you will receive your copy on site. Join us in contributing to even greater sustainability! 
 

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Extras

Leistungen

Included

  • Accommodation in 3***-hotels, in Munich in 4****-hotel
  • Breakfast
  • Welcome briefing
  • Luggage transfer
  • 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

 

Optional extras

  • Printed route book, per room EUR 20
  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
  • Collective transfer from 16.05 with central boarding and alighting point (you are responsible for bringing your own luggage and bicycles to the bus); from Torbole to Munich, TUE, WED, FRI, SAT, SUN, costs EUR 149 per person (min. 2 persons) incl. bike; reservation is necessary, to be paid in advance
Extras

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Arrival by train to Munich (www.bahn.de)
  • Munich airport and by train to the center (www.bahn.de)
  • Parking: hotel garage, costs approx. EUR 125 to 150 per week, free public parking
  • Departure by bus from Lake Garda to Rovereto and by train to Munich, duration approx. 6 hours with 1 change in Roverteo (www.suedtirolmobil.infowww.trenitalia.com)

 

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
Hotels

3***- Hotels und in München 4**** -Hotel.

Further informationen

Further information to the EU-travel right you can find here!

Professional portrait of Anke Tammen, a blonde woman with glasses and silver hoop earrings, wearing a dark blue blouse.

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Anke Tammen

5 out of 5 stars

Load more
Historic bell tower rising from turquoise alpine lake waters, surrounded by green forested mountains under blue sky with white clouds.
From Munich to Meran and Lake Garda

You might also be interested in

Follow us on our website and discover many beautiful regions...

You now receive special conditions when you book a trip.