Cycling in Munich: 3 Dream Routes for Spring

Henrik MüllerApril 19, 20264 Mins read9

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Cycling in Munich: These 3 Dream Routes Are a Must-Ride This Spring

As soon as temperatures rise, Munich becomes a paradise for cyclists. We show you the most beautiful routes for beginners and sporty riders – plus expert tips on how to get your bike fit for the new season.

It’s no secret that Munich can be a cyclist’s paradise during the summer months. Anyone who has ridden one of the popular bike routes on a weekend knows this. Beautiful destinations abound in all directions, and the beer garden density is, of course, also high, so you can rest your tired legs and refuel in between.

To make it as easy as possible for you to get back into cycling after the cold months, we have collected some tips here. We asked a real cycling professional for three route tips: Munich bike influencer Felix Kuffner (pictured below, “Felix testet Bikes” on Instagram and YouTube) knows pretty much every Munich route worth exploring in the coming months.

Route 1: South along the Isar for beginners

A relaxed ride along the Isar towards Flaucher is suitable for beginners. The start is directly in the city center, for example at Isartor, and then it goes south along the Isar on wide gravel paths. The route is flat, technically simple, and perfect for a relaxed evening ride. The mix of nature and proximity to the city is particularly beautiful, and you can take a wonderful break at Flaucher.

Length: 28 km
Riding time: 2 hours at a leisurely pace
Terrain: Mix of road, cycle path, and dirt roads

Route 2: Around Lake Starnberg for advanced riders

For advanced riders, Felix Kuffner recommends a round trip to Lake Starnberg; otherwise, it is certainly also suitable for e-bikes. The tour leads through the Forstenrieder Park, further through the Würmtal to the lake, and then relaxed back towards Munich. Here you gain some altitude, but above all, you get a lot of variety of forest, gravel, and lake panorama – with a view of the Alps in good weather. Perfect for a longer weekend ride with a café or swimming break.

Length: 110 km
Riding time: 7 hours at a moderate pace
Terrain: Mix of road, cycle path, dirt roads, and forest paths

Route 3: Mangfall Tour for sporty connoisseurs

If you like it sportier (or relaxed, but with electric support), you should take a look at the Mangfall region. A large loop to the south offers long gravel passages, quiet paths, and plenty of kilometers for endurance. The route is ideal for anyone who wants to push themselves or specifically train for longer events. The sections along the Mangfall are particularly beautiful scenically and ride very smoothly.

Length: 120 km
Riding time: 8 hours and 40 minutes at a brisk pace
Terrain: Mix of road, cycle path, dirt roads, forest paths, and single trails

You can also find all three routes on the route planning and navigation app “Komoot”. Its basic version can be used for free.

How to get your bike out of hibernation

Most people are not year-round cyclists, for good reason. But now that the weather is getting friendlier again and the bike that has been neglected for months is being taken out of the cellar, a small check is worthwhile. An annual service in a bike workshop is definitely useful, but even as a layman, you can check the most important points yourself. Martin Laschewski from the Freiraumviertel association gives tips on this. Among other things, he supervises the “Upcycling” project, where bike mechanics can work on their bikes with professional guidance in a workshop every Thursday evening.

First, the chain: “The most important thing is to clean it first, with an old T-shirt, for example,” says Laschewski. “The thicker the material, the better.” Then apply chain oil: “Moderately, but regularly is the motto. Then always drop by drop, so that there is a light film.” Now it’s worth checking whether everything is working: front brake and rear brake (just one is not enough), the light, if it is connected to a dynamo. Laschewski does not recommend repairing brakes yourself as a layman. However, if a light cable is defective, you can certainly try it yourself. On steel or aluminum bikes, it is also worthwhile to tighten all screws once. With more modern carbon bikes, it is important to work only with a torque wrench. (More information at: www.freiraum-viertel.de/projekte/upcycling)

Where to find free repair stations

Mid-tour, out in nature in the middle of nowhere on the weekend: you won’t find a bike workshop that quickly. And if you don’t have your own repair kit with you, you’re quickly stranded. The good news: there are many freely accessible repair stations throughout the city and in the surrounding area that can be used around the clock and on weekends. On fahrradpanne-muenchen.de you will find the entire offer sorted by color on a clear map: from simple repair stations with an air pump, to stations with a pump and tube dispenser, those with spare parts dispensers and air pumps, only air pumps, or simply tube dispensers.

Most simple repair stations with air pumps can be used free of charge; with spare parts and tube dispensers, the goods naturally cost something. According to Johannes Boos, who created it, the map shows all air pumps and repair stations in the city area, in the district, and in the districts of Fürstenfeldbruck and Starnberg. It’s best to save the website’s address on your mobile phone before your next tour, then almost nothing can go wrong!