Bavaria: Passau to Neuschwanstein
Eight days. Easy-paced cycling from town to town on quiet cycling paths - the ideal way to explore the rich art, history and architecture of Bavaria.
Bavaria has, arguably, the finest combination of gentle cycling terrain with scenic mountain backdrops on the entire European continent; maybe in the world! It also boasts excellent cyclists cuisine, not to mention great beer. A network of beautifully constructed and surfaced cycle paths leads you along the ancient salt traders’ route, into the rolling alpine foothills. Passing through a series of medieval towns, you will enjoy an uninterrupted alpine backdrop and a mind-boggling collection of museums and castles, the last of which is probably the prettiest and most recognized anywhere – King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein.
The Plan:
Day 1: PassauMeet in Passau, the City of Three Rivers, for introduction to each other and your rental bikes. First settled more than 5000 years ago, most of the original town was destroyed by fire around the middle of the 17th century. The rebuilding was heavily influenced by Italian baroque architecture, much of which you see today. The impressive St. Stephan’s Dom (Cathedral) boasts the largest church pipe organ in the world. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only).
Hotel Schloss Ort, www.schlosshotel-passau.de; or
Hotel Wilder Mann, Passau, www.wilder-mann.com
Day 2: Passau to Burghausen ~91km
This morning, follow the course of the river Inn towards Burghausen. The Castle of Burghausen atop the ridge is the longest castle in Europe at 1043 meters long. First mentioned in 1025, Duke Henry the Lion (Heinrich der Löwe) took possession in 1164, before the Wittelsbachs in 1180. The main income source was trading of salt; today Wacker Chemical Enterprise supports the City of 19000 individuals. Hotel Post am Stadtplatz has a 500 year history with award winning Bavarian cuisine and is situated in the heart of the Old City. BL
Hotel Post, www.altstadthotels.net; or
Hotel Burgblick, Burghausen, www.altstadthotels.net
Day 3: Burghausen to Salzburg ~55km (dependent on hotel location)
Leave Burghausen this morning, rejoining the Salzhandelsweg, roughly translated as the Salt Traders’ Route, on the journey to Salzburg. By the end of the day, you will cross the German/Austrian border into Salzburg, the city that gave birth to Mozart and inspired The Sound of Music. The Old City is a World Heritage site and hosts many Festivals, such as the Bach, Jazz, Mozart and Easter Festivals. Salzburg's Cathedral is an early Baroque building - the oldest on this side of the Alps built in 774. BL
Hotel Mozart, www.hotel-mozart.at; or
Hotel Amadeus, Salzburg, www.hotelamadeus.at
Day 4: Salzburg to Prien/ Schloss Herrenchiemsee ~83km (dependent on hotel location)
Today you will cross the Austrian/German border again and cycle on field paths and quiet roads towards Prien at Chiemsee. King Ludwig’s island castle on Chiemsee, built to mimic and exceed Versailles, although never completed after the mad King’s mysterious death, is a fabulous island estate whose visit punctuates a glorious day of cycling. King Ludwig Museum, the Mirror gallery spectacularly lit with 2000 candles, and the Dining Room with its magic table appearing from below through the opened floor, as a result of Ludwigs obsession with privacy, are all essential parts of your visit, and a good precursor to Neuschwanstein. BLD
Hotel Luitpold am See, www.luitpold-am-see.de; or
Hotel Bayrischer Hof, Prien, www.bayerischerhof-prien.de
Day 5: Prien to Tegernsee ~94km (from Bernau Gmund)
Departing Prien, you will enjoy the beauty of the countryside as you pass through the towns and villages of Neubeuern, Bad Felinbach, Fischbachau and Schliersee, before arriving in Gmund a Tegernsee. The beauty of its alpine landscape and the rich history of the town of Tegernsee contribute to its attraction. With its Benedictine abbey founded in 746, Tegernsee became the summer residence of the Bavarian Royal Family - the Wittelsbachs. English historian Lord Acton died here in 1902. BLD
Hotel Concordia, Bad Wiessee, www.hotel-concordia.de; or
Seehotel Luitpold, Tegernsee, www.seehotel-luitpold.de
Day 6: Tegernsee to Kochel am See ~47km
Today’s relatively short ride begins with you retracing your route back to Gmund at Tegernsee, where you will head west toward Bad Tolz, which is known for its historic medieval town, the spas and spectacular views of the alps. On your way to Kochel am See you will pass the Benediktbeuern Abbey which has a more than 1260 year old history. Kochel am See will enchant you with its architecture such as the Klösterl with its Margareth Kirchl, and the neat Bavarian houses with colourful flowers on carved wooden balconies. BD
Schmied von Kochel, www.schmied-von-kochel.eu; or
Hotel Alpenhof Postillion, Kochel am See, www.alpenhofpostillion.com
Day 7: Kochel am See to Fussen ~83km
The final day of cycling begins when you leave Kochel am See following the cycling path along the Loisach river and through the moors to Eschenlohe. A forest trail will lead you through the woods of the Ammergauer mountains to Bad Kohlgrub and then to Wies where, in the beautiful setting of the foothills of the alps, you can visit the pilgrimage church of Wies (1745-54), a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Todays ride will end in Füssen, with its famous landmark the ‘Hohes Schloss’ (High Castle) and the former Benedictine Abbey St. Mang. Just 5km from the Austrian Border, the more than 700 year old town sits on the river Lech which flows into the Forggensee, the reservoir that holds the spring melt. Scenes from Steve McQueen’s film "The Great Escape" were filmed around Füssen. BD
Hotel Kurcafé, www.kurcafe.com; or
Luitpold Park Hotel, Füssen, www.luitpoldpark-hotel.de
Day 8: Visit Neuschwanstein, and transfer to Munich.
The famous castle Neuschwanstein was King Ludwig’s first castle, built in Hohenschwangau, the area he loved most. Inspiration came from the Wagner festival in Munich in 1867, as a gothic fairytale castle with delicate turrets and with one high pointed roof after another. It is probably one of the most recognized castles in the world. The palace has appeared in several movies, and was the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. B
On your van transfer to Munich, you will pass the Starnberger See - one of the biggest lakes in Germany, created as a result of ice age glaciers. It is on the ancient Celtic amber trading route to the Brenner Pass, which you will not need to try on your bike! 
The Details:
| Start: | Passau, Germany, 15:00, day one. Transfers from Munich available $75pp. |
| Finish: | Munich 16:00, day eight. We recommend the Holiday Inn beside the English garden, where you can ride bikes on gentle paths, admiring nude sunbathers. The Hofbräuhaus and BMW museum are nearby. |
| Guided Cost: | $4495 (per person, includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 4 picnic lunches, 5 dinners, luggage handling, van and guide support, maps, route notes, and value added tax) |
| Self-Guided Cost: | Not yet available |
| Single Occupancy: | $895 |
| Bicycle Rental: | Hybrid: $195 |
| 2010 Guided Dates: | Call 800-62-0775 for guaranteed departures, updates or to add a new departure. |
| Self Guided Dates: | You choose!. Best months are May to September. |
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
