Lakes & Mountains of Bavaria: Self-Launched Cycling Adventure
8 days · Bavaria, Germany
Exodus charges £2,060
No-markup version: ~£630 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Pedal through the stunning lakes and alpine foothills of Bavaria on this self-launched cycling loop starting and ending in Augsburg. You'll visit fairytale castles, baroque churches, charming Bavarian villages, and glittering lakes — all without the guided tour price tag. Rent a bike locally, download GPX routes from Komoot or Outdooractive, and follow the same route Exodus charges over £2,000 for — at a fraction of the cost. Luggage transfers can be skipped by packing light (bikepacking style) or arranged cheaply via local taxi/transfer services between stops. All costs are approximate estimates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Augsburg
Augsburg
Arrive in Augsburg, one of Germany's oldest cities founded in 15 BC by Emperor Augustus. Check into your hostel or budget guesthouse in the city centre. Spend the afternoon exploring the stunning Renaissance old town — visit the Fuggerei (the world's oldest social housing complex, entry ~£5), the Cathedral, and the lively Maximilianstrasse. Pick up your pre-booked hire bike if arriving today, or sort it tomorrow morning. Grab a Bavarian dinner at a local beer hall.
🚌Arrive by train — Augsburg Hauptbahnhof is well connected. From Munich airport take S-Bahn to Munich Hbf then regional train to Augsburg (~45 min, ~£12). From Frankfurt by ICE (~2h, ~£25-50 booked in advance on bahn.de).
🛏A&O Augsburg Hauptbahnhof (hostel, ~£22-28/night dorm or ~£50 private) or Jugendherberge Augsburg (DJH youth hostel, ~£25-30/night)
- →Explore Augsburg's Renaissance old town on foot
- →Visit the Fuggerei social housing complex (~£5 entry)
- →Rent a bike from a local shop — try Fahrradverleih Augsburg or book via local sports shops (~£15-20/day or ~£80-100/week)
- →Download your GPX cycling route from Komoot or Outdooractive (search 'Via Claudia Augusta' and 'Bavarian Lakes cycling')
- →Beer hall dinner — try Zum Weissen Lamm or similar
Augsburg to Wörthsee — Lakes Begin
Wörthsee / Lake Ammersee area
Set off on your first full cycling day, covering around 65 km through classic Bavarian countryside — lush green meadows, onion-domed village churches, and gentle rolling terrain. Stop at Lake Ammersee, one of Bavaria's most beautiful lakes, where you can jump on a historic paddle steamer (Ammersee-Schifffahrt, ~£8 return) for a relaxing boat trip. Continue on quiet cycle paths to Lake Wörthsee for the night.
🚌Self-powered cycling. Route follows well-signposted cycle paths — use Komoot or the ADFC (German Cycling Club) route maps. Mostly flat to gently rolling terrain.
🛏Gasthof/Pension am Wörthsee or guesthouses in Wörthsee/Steinebach — budget ~£45-65/night for a simple private room. Alternatively camp at Campingplatz Pilsensee (~£15-20pp).
- →Cycle Augsburg → Wörthsee via Lake Ammersee (~65 km on dedicated cycle paths)
- →Paddle steamer boat trip on Lake Ammersee (~£8 return, book at the pier)
- →Swimming stop at Lake Ammersee (free, public bathing areas)
- →Explore the lakeside village of Herrsching am Ammersee
Wörthsee to Murnau — Lakes, Abbey & Artists
Murnau am Staffelsee
Today's 60 km ride winds through some of Bavaria's finest lake scenery. Ride along Lakes Wörthsee and Pilsensee before climbing to the spectacular Andechs Abbey — perched on a hilltop, it's famous for its baroque church and its own brewery. Sample a Andechser Bier in the beer garden (well earned!). Continue south past Lakes Ammersee, Staffelsee, and Riegsee with multiple swimming stops available. End the day in Murnau, a charming artists' town beloved by Wassily Kandinsky.
🚌Self-powered cycling on cycle paths and quiet country roads. The climb to Andechs is the main ascent of the day — reward yourself with a beer at the top!
🛏Jugendherberge Murnau (DJH youth hostel, ~£28-35/night) or Gasthof zur Post or similar guesthouse (~£55-70/night private room).
- →Cycle Wörthsee → Murnau via Andechs (~60 km)
- →Visit Andechs Abbey and sample the monastery brewery's famous beer (free entry to church, beer garden prices standard)
- →Swimming stops at Lakes Staffelsee and Riegsee (free public beaches)
- →Explore Murnau's colourful old town and Münter House (Kandinsky connection, museum entry ~£6)
Murnau to Füssen — Alpine Foothills & UNESCO Rococo
Füssen / Schwangau
A spectacular 60 km day cycling through the foothills of the Bavarian Alps with dramatic mountain backdrops. The highlight en route is the UNESCO-listed Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche) — a breathtaking Baroque Rococo oval church set in an alpine meadow, and free to enter. Continue village-hopping through the Allgäu region before arriving at the charming medieval town of Füssen, gateway to Neuschwanstein Castle.
🚌Self-powered cycling. Route follows the Via Claudia Augusta cycling path and regional cycle routes — download from Komoot. Some gentle climbing as you approach the Alps.
🛏Hostel Füssen (budget dorm ~£22-28) or Pension/Guesthouse in Schwangau (~£55-75/night) — staying in Schwangau puts you closer to the castles for Day 5.
- →Cycle Murnau → Füssen through Bavarian Alpine foothills (~60 km)
- →Visit the UNESCO Wieskirche (Pilgrimage Church of Wies) — free entry, one of Germany's finest Rococo interiors
- →Village stops along the route — try local bakeries for Brezel and coffee
- →Arrive in Füssen and explore the historic old town and High Castle (Hohes Schloss, ~£6 entry)
Castles Day — Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau, then Schongau
Schwangau → Schongau
An early start is essential today to beat the crowds at King Ludwig II's iconic fairytale castles. Book your timed entry tickets for Neuschwanstein and/or Hohenschwangau in advance online (essential in summer — sold out weeks ahead). After the castle visit, saddle up and cycle the scenic 50 km along the Via Claudia Augusta — the ancient Roman road — north to the medieval walled town of Schongau.
🚌Walk/cycle to castle area from Schwangau (2 km). Then self-powered cycling north along the Via Claudia Augusta cycling path to Schongau.
🛏Pension or Gasthof in Schongau — budget ~£50-65/night for a guesthouse double room. Try Gasthof Baumgartner or similar.
- →Pre-book timed entry tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle (~£15pp) and/or Hohenschwangau Castle (~£22pp) at hohenschwangau.de — book weeks in advance
- →Hike up to Marienbrücke viewpoint for the classic Neuschwanstein photo (free)
- →Cycle the Via Claudia Augusta route to Schongau (~50 km)
- →Explore Schongau's medieval fortified walls and old town (free)
Schongau to Landsberg am Lech — River & Roman History
Landsberg am Lech
Today's shorter 35 km stage follows the picturesque River Lech and passes through the Lechrain region, rich in Roman and medieval history. Stop at St Michael's Basilica in Altenstadt — a remarkably preserved Romanesque church — and the Abodiacum Roman Museum in Epfach (~£3 entry), which sits on the site of a Roman fort. A pilgrim church in Vilgertshofen is also on route. Arrive in the beautiful Landsberg am Lech with plenty of afternoon time to explore.
🚌Self-powered cycling along the River Lech cycle path. This is the shortest day — ideal for a leisurely pace and extra sightseeing stops.
🛏Jugendherberge Landsberg am Lech (DJH hostel, ~£28-35/night) or Gasthof in the old town (~£55-70/night).
- →Cycle Schongau → Landsberg am Lech along River Lech (~35 km — short day, take your time)
- →Visit St Michael's Basilica in Altenstadt (free entry, remarkable Romanesque architecture)
- →Stop at Abodiacum Roman Museum in Epfach (~£3 entry)
- →Pilgrim church at Vilgertshofen (free)
- →Afternoon exploring Landsberg's market square and waterfront
Landsberg am Lech to Augsburg — Via Claudia Finale
Augsburg
The final 45 km cycling day. Start with a morning wander through Landsberg's beautiful medieval centre — don't miss the Gothic Bavarian Gate (Bayertor) and the Baroque town hall. Then cycle north via Kaufering am Lech and Königsbrunn, where you'll ride 11 km of the best-preserved section of the original Via Claudia Augusta Roman road. Roll back into Augsburg and celebrate with a final Bavarian dinner. Return your hire bike.
🚌Self-powered cycling. Well-signposted route, mostly flat along the Lech river valley. Return bike to Augsburg rental shop.
🛏Same hostel/guesthouse as Day 1 in Augsburg — rebook the same place to keep costs down.
- →Morning walk in Landsberg — Bayertor gate and Rathaus (free)
- →Cycle Landsberg → Augsburg via Kaufering and Königsbrunn (~45 km)
- →Ride the best-preserved 11 km section of the Via Claudia Augusta
- →Return to Augsburg and return hire bike
- →Final Bavarian dinner — visit a traditional Brauhaus for Schnitzel and a Mass of local beer
- →Optional: revisit the Fuggerei or Cathedral if you missed it on Day 1
Depart Augsburg
Augsburg
Your self-launched Bavarian cycling adventure ends this morning. Grab a final breakfast (included at most guesthouses or head to a bakery for a classic Bavarian Frühstück — coffee, bread rolls, cheese, ham, ~£5). Augsburg Hauptbahnhof has excellent rail connections onward to Munich (35 min, ~£7), Frankfurt, or beyond. Munich Airport is easily reachable by S-Bahn if flying home.
🚌Train from Augsburg Hbf. Book in advance on bahn.de or the DB Navigator app for best prices. Bayern-Ticket (£27/day) covers all regional trains in Bavaria if making multiple hops.
🛏None — departure day.
- →Final breakfast in Augsburg
- →Depart by train from Augsburg Hauptbahnhof — to Munich Hbf (~35 min, ~£7 on bahn.de), then onward connections nationwide
- →Munich Airport (MUC) reachable via Munich Hbf by S-Bahn (~45 min total from Augsburg)
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£630 | £2,060 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,430 per person (69%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£630
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Lakes & Mountains of Bavaria: Self-Launched Cycling Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £630 per person for 8 days in Bavaria, Germany. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £2,060 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £630 — a saving of roughly £1,430 (69%) per person.
How long is the Bavaria, Germany trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Bavaria, Germany.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a cycling, culture, adventure trip through Bavaria, Germany, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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