Three cyclists are standing and talking to each other at the Isar River in Munich.

Cycling tours: Isar river

Isar river tour by bike

A relaxed cycling tour with one short, steep incline. From the city centre, this tour goes upriver along the Isar River to Großhesseloher Bridge, past Hinterbrühl nature park, Floßlände (raft landing stages) and Flaucher park and through the Gärtnerplatz district and Viktualienmarkt, back to Marienplatz: The Isar River tour by bike.

Route length: approx. 18 km | Duration: approx. 2.5 hours

The Isar River tour starts on Marienplatz at the archway of the Altes Rathaus. Cycle through the arch and along the Tal to Isartor, then continue straight on and over Ludwigsbrücke. Immediately after the bridge, turn right and follow the Isar River cycle path (signposted Isarradweg) upriver and to the south. The Deutsches Museum can be seen on one of the Isar River islands to the right. You will then pass Museumsinsel (Museum Island) and head along the rewilded riverbank.

Tip: Around 150 metres before the Braunauer Eisenbahnbrücke, a flight of stone steps on the left leads to the Städtischen Rosengarten (Municipal Rose Garden, free admission).

With the tour app komoot you can be comfortably accompanied on your bike tour.

Passing through broad green spaces, you will soon reach Tierpark Hellabrunn animal park. Just beyond the animal park a walkway leads up to the high bank of the Isar River on the left. You’ll need to push your bike up the short but steep slope here, past the Marienklause chapel. Continue along the Isar River cycle path (Hochleite) until you reach Hofgut Menterschwaige, with its beer garden.

It’s worth taking a detour on foot at Wasserkraftwerk 2 (Hydroelectric power station 2) to the Isar River jetty, with views of the Sonneninseln (sun islands) and the gravel banks of the rewilded river.

Cycle over the 31-metre-high Großhesseloher bridge and then freewheel down the steep Höllerer Berg to the Isar River. Cycle back towards the city along the left of the Werkskanal, following signs marked “M-Wasserweg”, until you reach the Hinterbrühl beer garden. About 50 metres further along, cycle right and across the bridge and continue to follow the M-Wasserweg towards Flosslände.

Turn left onto Zentralländstrasse and, around 50 metres later, right onto Benediktbeuerer Strasse. Check out Maria Einsiedel natural open-air swimming pool (on the right, entry via Zentralländstrasse)! Just before Maria-Einsiedel-Strasse, take the cycle path on the right that leads along Maria-Einsiedel-Bach, then continue under Thalkirchner Bridge and ride along the “Am Isarkanal” cycle path towards Flaucher.

Video: simply cycling

As you cycle further, follow the signs for the “Zum Flaucher” beer garden. You will need to cross Schinderbrücke bridge to get there. As you leave the beer garden, follow the marked path towards the city centre (Innenstadt). At Reichenbachbrücke bridge, turn left onto Fraunhoferstrasse. After the U-Bahn stop, head right and through Reichenbachstrasse to Gärtnerplatz.

There is a great view from the steps of the Staatstheater on Gärtnerplatz. Cycle around the square and then turn onto Corneliusstrasse. Cross at the traffic lights on Blumenstrasse and cycle along Prälat-Zistl-Strasse, which forks right after about 20 metres. Pass the Schrannenhalle, Viktualienmarkt and Alte Peter church as you return to your starting point. Have a good ride!

 

Download the tour as a .pdf or .gpx file

Download a PDF file of this tour and map here.
Download a GPX file of this tour here.

 

Photo: Christian Kasper; Video: Redline Enterprises

Also interesting: More bike paths along the river Isar in and around Munich can be found here: www.isarradweg.de

 

Main attractions along the route:

 

  • 1
    Panoramic view of the Neues Rathaus in Munich with the Frauenkirche in the background.
    Marienplatz

    Marienplatz: the heart of Munich

    Marienplatz 1, 80331 Munich, Germany

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  • 2
    A bust of Karl Valentin in the Valentin-Karlstadt-Musäum in Munich.
    Valentin-Karlstadt-Musäum

    Laughter guaranteed!

    Tal 50, 80331 Munich, Germany

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  • 3
    A sailing boat at the Deutsche Museum in Munich.
    Deutsches Museum

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  • 4
    Exterior view of the elephant house with two elephants at Munich Zoo Hellabrunn.
    Tierpark Hellabrunn

    Natural paradise on the Isar

    Tierparkstraße 30, 81543 Munich, Germany

    A fascinating excursion for children and adults: Hellabrunn Zoo opened in 1911, at that time the first...

  • 5
    Viktualienmarkt in Munich.
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Bicycles in front of the Feldherrnhalle at Odeonsplatz in Munich.

Cycling tours: highlights

Highlights tour

A relaxed cycling tour along Munich's centrally located attractions.

Cycling tour taking in Munich city centre attractions: Old town, Englischer Garten, Isar upriver, Deutsches Museum, Isartor, Alter Hof and back to Marienplatz.

A man on a bicycle in the evening sun in the Maxvorstadt in Munich

Cycling tours: grand city tour

Grand city tour

Discover the beauty of Munich outside of the city center at the grand city tour by bike.

From the centre of the old town to the Kunstareal art district, and on to the former summer residence of the Wittelsbach family, to the Olympic Park and back across Leopoldstraße. 

Three cyclists are standing and talking to each other at the Isar River in Munich.

Cycling tours: Isar

Isar river tour

A relaxed cycling tour with one short, steep incline - and with lots of sights on the way.

A relaxed cycling tour with one short, steep incline. From the city centre, this tour goes upriver along the Isar river - with lots of sights on the way.

Cyclist in Munich.

Cycling tours: Englischer Garten

Englischer Garten tour

Relaxing bike tour along the Isar to the beer garden and back to Marienplatz via the English Garden.

Relaxing bike tour along the Isar to the "Aumeister" beer garden and back to Marienplatz via the English Garden. Enjoy discovering the English Garden by bike!

Bikes stand in the green grass in the English Garden in Munich

Rental bike 1 day

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.

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With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.