Munich and Bavaria

Is Munich and Bavaria the ultimate place on earth for cyclists ? That's the question we will try to answer in this article. The city is suitable for cycling, but that's not all: many of the country roads also have safe cycle paths, allowing cyclists to reach the quietest roads. From the city center, it only takes 15 minutes of cycling to find yourself surrounded by nature.

• Location: Munich, Bavaria, Germany

• Riding type: Road

• Season: April to November (strong seasonal differences)

• Bike: Road bike

• Terrain: Hilly quiet roads near to Munich, climbs near to the alps

• Atmosphere: Green landscapes, forests and mountains, safety and a relaxed cycling atmosphere

If we were to start cycling today, Munich would probably be the most suitable place we have visited in 15 years of cycling. As we said earlier, when you arrive in the city you realize, as in northern Europe countries, that the sharing of urban space between cars and bicycles is very well organized. Rules exist, people follow them, and you immediately feel safe. But what pleasantly surprised us twice over was that the facilities continue into the countryside. Separate bike lanes have been created, allowing you to ride through nature away from cars. For all these reasons, learning to ride a bike in this environment allows you to progress in complete safety.

Let's talk about the surrounding countryside. Munich is at the gateway to the Alps, and it's only about 60 kilometers to the mountains. This location offers incredible variety for cyclists, as you can choose to go on a ride with little elevation gain one day and then set off to climb mountain passes the next. A middle ground is also possible, as the road between Munich and the first mountain ranges offers the opportunity to drive on hilly routes.

This region also has many lakes. One of our favorite routes was around Lake Tegernsee from Munich. It's 50 km to the lake. Most of the ride is on bike paths until you reach quieter roads. Once at the lake, you can choose to cycle around it, which is 20 km. We chose the other option, which is to stop for a typical meal in a Bavarian brewery by the lake and then head back in the other direction. In total, it's a trip of about 75 miles that gives a nice overview of the region's nature.

Loop from Munich : https://www.openrunner.com/route-details/23761433

Beautiful blue lakes surrounded by small green mountains in the foreground and snow-capped peaks in the background. There are also rolling pastures and peaceful forests. In short, we loved it, and unless you're a fan of sea views on the French Riviera as Pogi, you'll have a blast coming to ride in Bavaria.