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Bavarian Castles & Villages

The romantic landscapes of southern Bavaria
 
This is ideal cycling terrain and, since you cycle self-guided while your luggage is transported from one high-quality hotel to the next, you can pause to swim in the lakes and to visit the castles, frescoed villages and famous Wieskirche.
Bavarian Castles & Villages. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Bavarian Castles & Villages. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A cycling holiday in Bavaria

Dotted with fairy-tale castles and extravagantly decorated churches, the picturesque landscapes north-east of Füssen, the starting point for the long-distance Romantische Strasse ('Romantic Road') cycling route, embody the romance of the Bavarian Alps. Sparkling lakes and idyllic villages of ornately frescoed houses are set against a backdrop of wooded slopes and craggy limestone peaks, and lush meadows are filled with flowers in early summer. With plenty of designated trails and ever-changing panoramas, the cycling here is excellent, and there is great variety in the places of interest you can visit en route.
Featuring high-quality hotels of great character, our route takes in the UNESCO-protected Wieskirche, a important centre of pilgrimage; the picturesque lakes around Murnau, their warm waters attracting bathers and artists alike; the exquisite village of Oberammergau, whose houses are decorated with religious frescoes; and the most famous – and most romantic – of King Ludwig II’s castles, whimsical Neuschwanstein, set dramatically atop a cliff above a gorge.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    The best time for flowers is early July.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 3 5 7 12 16 19 21 21 17 14 8 4
    mm 105 114 145 137 181 203 202 200 158 115 117 120
  • Arrival in Füssen
    Night 1: at Altstadthotel zum Hechten (the first of two nights here). Alternatively, upgrade to Hotel Hirsch.
    As your first night's accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of cycling.
  • Circular route from Füssen: 33km
    After collecting your bikes from the shop, a five-minute walk away, you head off on your first cycle ride, which is the perfect introduction to this captivating corner of Bavaria. Designated trails lead around the picturesque shores of Forggensee, affording beautiful views of the Alps. Allow plenty of time for the return leg, so that you can visit the two magnificent castles that you pass. Hohenschwangau is the Gothic castle whose elaborate murals inspired King Ludwig II’s love of the Middle Ages, while dramatically sited Neuschwanstein, with its fairy-tale turrets and opulent interiors, was actually designed by the king. To visit these, we strongly recommend you book online in advance.
    Circular route from Füssen: 33km
    Circular route from Fussen
  • Füssen to Bad Bayersoien: 40km
    You leave Füssen on the first leg of the 439-kilometre-long Romantische Strasse, passing through a string of traditional villages. The highlight is the approach to the Wieskirche – you emerge from woodland to see this brilliant white, UNESCO-protected church ahead. It is worth exploring the elaborate Baroque interior, with its fresco depicting Christ’s Resurrection, before continuing to your next base, the Parkhotel Bad Bayersoien.
    The approach to Wieskirche
    Füssen to Bad Bayersoien: 40km
    Green pastures between Fussen and Bad Bayersoien
  • Circular route from Bad Bayersoien: 44km
    The Parkhotel’s spa and panoramic indoor pool are hard to resist, but the impressive mountain views on our circular route through the rolling countryside of the colourful Allgäu – part of which is along the Romantische Strasse again – are equally compelling.
    Circular route from Bad Bayersoien: 44km
    Enjoy a leisurely lunch
  • Bad Bayersoien to Murnau: 27km
    Quiet country lanes lead past isolated farms and through traditional hamlets, where you may see cows being herded from one pasture to another. As you cycle, the mountains retreat and the landscape opens out to reveal Murnau, set between two beautiful lakes. This area is known as Das Blaue Land  (the Blue Land) on account of the blue light reflected from the azure waters and sky alike. You first reach Staffelsee then continue along the shore of Riegsee, passing a third lake, Froschhausensee, before heading into Murnau where you stay at the Hotel Griesbräu.
    Bad Bayersoien to Murnau: 27km
    Pause for refreshments
  • Circular route from Murnau: 31km
    Murnau’s splendid surroundings have long inspired artists, not least those of the Der Blaue Reiter (Blue Rider) Movement which emerged here. To understand why, explore these landscapes for yourself on a route through Murnau’s protected marshes, home to a variety of flora and fauna.
    Circular route from Murnau: 31km
    Take time to enjoy your surroundings
  • Murnau to Füssen: 45km
    Take a 40-minute train (included) to delightful Oberammergau, home to the Passion Play, which takes place every ten years (the next one will be in 2030). There is time to appreciate the beautifully detailed frescoes of religious and rural scenes adorning many houses before setting off back to Füssen through the valley. You rejoin the Romantische Strasse, the glorious views of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschangau castles emphasising just how apt a name it is.
    Murnau to Füssen: 45km
    The route from Murnau to Füssen
 

Accommodation

You stay in family-run hotels, where you will find a warm and friendly welcome.

To make your holiday all the more special, opt for our upgrade hotel in Füssen. Whichever hotel you choose, we recommend an extra night in Füssen to give you a full day to visit the two castles nearby.

Please note: most beds in German hotels are normally one large base with two mattresses/duvets. We refer to these as 'Austrian Twins' and they are locally regarded to serve requests for both double and twin bedded rooms. Separate twin beds or traditional double beds with one large mattress are rare and cannot be guaranteed.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 06 May 2023 - 07 October 2023 & 06 May 2024 - 07 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    6 May - 12 Jun 2023 £1305 £185
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2023 £1375 £190
    1 - 30 Sep 2023 £1305 £185
    6 May - 12 Jun 2024 £1440 £205
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2024 £1515 £210
    1 - 30 Sep 2024 £1440 £205
    3rd & 4th person discount -£110 to -£121
    Single traveller supplement £110 to £121

    Includes accommodation, meals, bike hire, luggage transfers and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Electric bikes available: add £83pp

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights: 06 May 2023 - 07 October 2023 & 06 May 2024 - 07 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    6 May - 12 Jun 2023 £1735 £185
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2023 £1790 £190
    1 - 30 Sep 2023 £1735 £185
    6 May - 12 Jun 2024 £1910 £205
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2024 £1970 £210
    1 - 30 Sep 2024 £1910 £205
    3rd & 4th person discount -£110 to -£121
    Single traveller supplement £110 to £121

    Includes all elements in the 'cycle price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille or Paris, with onward travel as described below.

    Electric bikes available: add £83pp

    Included travel: UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Füssen (TGV/ICE/regional rail), approx duration 11h50 out/12h30 home & walk (0h05).
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 10 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

    7 nights: 06 May 2023 - 07 October 2023 & 06 May 2024 - 07 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    6 May - 12 Jun 2023 £1385 £185
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2023 £1455 £190
    1 - 30 Sep 2023 £1385 £185
    6 May - 12 Jun 2024 £1525 £205
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2024 £1605 £210
    1 - 30 Sep 2024 £1525 £205
    3rd & 4th person discount -£180 to -£195
    Single traveller supplement £180 to £200

    Includes all elements in the 'cycle price', plus a return Channel crossing between Folkestone and Calais with LeShuttle for your party and one car.

    > More information about travelling self-drive

    Electric bikes available: add £83pp

    A supplement of approximately £65 per car per single journey applies for travel at key dates over Easter, while from May onwards a supplement of approximately £42 per car per single journey applies for travel over public holidays and at weekends during school holidays. See the self-drive page or contact us for more details.

  • 7 nights, staying at Hotel Hirsch: 06 May 2023 - 07 October 2023 & 06 May 2024 - 07 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    6 May - 12 Jun 2023 £1430 £225
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2023 £1495 £230
    1 - 30 Sep 2023 £1430 £225
    6 May - 12 Jun 2024 £1575 £250
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2024 £1645 £255
    1 - 30 Sep 2024 £1575 £250
    3rd & 4th person discount -£110 to -£121
    Single traveller supplement £110 to £121

    Includes accommodation, meals, bike hire, luggage transfers and any other services integral to the holiday as described, plus cycling notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Electric bikes available: add £83pp

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights, staying at Hotel Hirsch: 06 May 2023 - 07 October 2023 & 06 May 2024 - 07 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    6 May - 12 Jun 2023 £1855 £225
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2023 £1905 £230
    1 - 30 Sep 2023 £1855 £225
    6 May - 12 Jun 2024 £2045 £250
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2024 £2100 £255
    1 - 30 Sep 2024 £2045 £250
    3rd & 4th person discount -£110 to -£121
    Single traveller supplement £110 to £121

    Includes all elements in the 'cycle price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille or Paris, with onward travel as described below.

    Electric bikes available: add £83pp

    Included travel: UK–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Füssen (TGV/ICE/regional rail), approx duration 11h50 out/12h30 home & walk (0h05).
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 10 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

    7 nights, staying at Hotel Hirsch: 06 May 2023 - 07 October 2023 & 06 May 2024 - 07 October 2024

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    6 May - 12 Jun 2023 £1545 £225
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2023 £1575 £230
    1 - 30 Sep 2023 £1545 £225
    6 May - 12 Jun 2024 £1700 £250
    13 Jun - 31 Aug 2024 £1735 £255
    1 - 30 Sep 2024 £1700 £250
    3rd & 4th person discount -£180 to -£195
    Single traveller supplement £180 to £200

    Includes all elements in the 'cycle price', plus a return Channel crossing between Folkestone and Calais with LeShuttle for your party and one car.

    > More information about travelling self-drive

    Electric bikes available: add £83pp

    A supplement of approximately £65 per car per single journey applies for travel at key dates over Easter, while from May onwards a supplement of approximately £42 per car per single journey applies for travel over public holidays and at weekends during school holidays. See the self-drive page or contact us for more details.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Altstadthotel zum Hechten, Füssen
    Superior: 06 May - 07 Oct 2023 £12
    Superior: 06 May - 07 Oct 2024 £13
    Parkhotel Bad Bayersoien, Bad Bayersoien
    Larger with balcony: 06 May - 07 Oct 2023 £10
    Larger with balcony: 06 May - 07 Oct 2024 £11

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day’s hire of a standard bike. If you are upgrading to an e-bike, add a further £19pp per day.
    Altstadthotel zum Hechten, Füssen (B&B) Double room Single room
    06 May - 07 Oct 2023 £91 £110
    06 May - 07 Oct 2024 £100 £121
    Hotel Griesbräu, Murnau (B&B) Double room Single room
    06 May - 07 Oct 2023 £95 £124
    06 May - 07 Oct 2024 £105 £137

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Parkhotel Bad Bayersoien, Bad Bayersoien
    Larger with balcony: 06 May - 07 Oct 2023 £10
    Larger with balcony: 06 May - 07 Oct 2024 £11

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Prices include an extra day’s hire of a standard bike. If you are upgrading to an e-bike, add a further £19pp per day.
    Hotel Hirsch, Füssen (B&B) Double room Single room
    06 May - 07 Oct 2023 £132 £172
    06 May - 07 Oct 2024 £150 £194
    Hotel Griesbräu, Murnau (B&B) Double room Single room
    06 May - 07 Oct 2023 £95 £124
    06 May - 07 Oct 2024 £105 £137
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Munich
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Munich. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Munich Lufthansa 
    Birmingham - Munich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Munich easyJet,  Eurowings,  Lufthansa 
    Edinburgh - Munich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Munich Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    London City - Munich British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Munich easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Munich British Airways,  Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Munich easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Munich easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Munich easyJet,  Lufthansa 
    Manchester - Munich (via Frankfurt) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Munich Lufthansa 
    Newcastle - Munich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Newcastle - Munich (via Düsseldorf) Lufthansa 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Munich (via Amsterdam Schiphol) KLM 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Munich. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Munich

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Munich airport to Füssen (3h), walk to hotel (0h05) £24-£26 1530
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    walk to station (0h05), rail Füssen to Munich airport (3h) £24-£26 1315
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 3 dinners
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • high-quality bicycle
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 5 reviews
  • Mrs N Pryce
    Chard
    05 September 2023

    Another fantastic holiday. Perfectly chosen routes, wonderful hotels, beautiful scenery and excellent food. A very successful and happy holiday. 

  • Anon
    13 July 2023

    A great holiday for us (2 adults and our daughters age 17 and 20). Hotels were very comfortable, notes were great. There were lots of good swimming spots on more or less every ride which were very welcome on hot days. 

  • Mr M Gray
    Rochester
    15 June 2023

    This has been a wonderful holiday set in a beatiful part of Bavaria. Fussen is a highly attractive town and out hotel in the centre was first class in every way. The cycles and equipment provided were excellent and the GPS mapping made navigation really easy. The cycling routes were safe allowing us to concentrate on enjoying the countryside rather than the road. On day 5 we stopped off for a relaxing swimming break at the Gemeindebad lakeside centre at Uffing where we sat out on the lawned waterside park for a couple of hours before returning to bustling Murnau.

     

  • Kathryn, Oxford
    16 May 2023

    The countryside is delightful - beautiful variety of scenery - and the cycle paths in Germany are wonderful.  I have mentioned recommendations earlier on.  There's a lot to see in Füssen: the 4-lake ride; the museum especially the Totentanz but also all the instruments showing the violin-making industry ; the gallery (not so much the artwork but the painted buildings -trompe d'oeil - in the courtyard below. Stunning).
    We had lovely food at the organic cafe/restaurant Am Rathaus in Füssen and also a pleasant meal at Grissini da Alfredo Italian restaurant in Murnau.  The Blaue Reiter museum was good - unfortunately we couldn't get into the Munster Haus.  
    And the Tepidarium at Bad Bayernsoien!!

  • Mrs C Koczerzat
    Hove
    06 May 2023

    This part of Bavaria is absolutely drop dead gorgeous. The cycling routes were beautiful and felt very safe. I was very impressed with Inntravel customer service both before and during the holiday  and we had a fantastic time. It was a lovely, lovely holiday and would happily do it again tomorrow.
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Our chosen bike rental shop will provide you with a city trekking bike with 18 gears; a waterproof map case on handlebars; panniers/saddlebags; pump; puncture repair kit; and a lock. Electric bikes are available as an upgrade (see price panel), subject to availability, and must be requested at the time of booking.
  • No. We recommend that you bring your own.
  • Yes, we will provide GPX tracks for this holiday prior to departure so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. (We also provide maps and our tried-and-tested route notes, which remain the principal means of navigation).
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. On mornings when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation so that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our cycling holidays in Europe page.
  • You are responsible for damage to or loss of the rental bike while it is hired to you. Always be careful to lock it up, ideally to an immovable object, and remove all easy-to-steal accessories whenever you leave it unattended.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Germany, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is German. The currency is the Euro. German time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
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