Cycling in Bavaria

A cycling holiday is rightly regarded as the perfect solution for everyone who wants to combine exercise, a lot of scenic variety and the cultural highlights of a region. From gently rolling along in river valleys to more physically challenging, hilly routes: amongst the Bavarian cycle routes, there is one suitable for everyone. The 450 kilometre “Allgäu Circular Cycle Route” (Radrunde  Allgäu) is a beautiful route.

 

At first, it is just a sound, a muffled sound in the far distance. But it is getting louder, ever louder. When 150 Allgäu brown cows finally appear on the horizon, it is almost deafening: the ringing of the giant bells which hang around the necks of the cows.

The cattle are spruced up with floral decoration which shows that no animal has been lost on this Alpine pasture in the summer; the Alpine farmers are wearing a fresh shirt and a loden jacket. It is time for the “Viehscheid” in the Allgäu. The summer is coming to an end and the return of the animals and people to the lower fields is celebrated according to old traditions. For visitors who are on the Allgäu Circular Cycle Route at this time, there is hardly a better opportunity to get close to the people of the Allgäu and their cherished traditions.

The Allgäu Circular Route is divided into eight adventure worlds which have names like “Trails of Happiness” (Glückswege) or “Castle Park” (Schlosspark) or “Alpine Gardens” (Alpgärten). They reflect the character of the respective region. It sounds a bit confusing to begin with – but corresponds to the breadth of the Allgäu and the circular cycle route, for which a normal trekking bike is sufficient. And although it keeps going uphill, the circular route is no problem for people with an average level of training.

From the “Viehscheid” to the royal palace: there is a lot to experience on this circular route. Make sure you have plenty of time!

The greatest challenge of the Allgäu Circular Cycle Route: in many places, it is so beautiful that you are constantly tempted to linger looking at the royal castle of Neuschwanstein or having a bite to eat in the brewery village of Rettenberg or …

The wonderful thing about the largely asphalted Allgäu Circular Cycle Route is that it is a gift for all spontaneous people. For the many connections to the railway network mean that you can join and leave the route as you wish and as time allows.  If you want to ride straight ahead, instead of in a wide circle, there is also an option for this – or even two: on the Allgäu Cycle Route (Allgäu-Radweg), which crosses the route from west to east, and on the Iller Cycle Route (Illerradweg) which is mostly along the river and intersects the route from north to south. Thus, there are many alternatives for quartering, halving or even extending the Allgäu Circular Route

Both axes, the Allgäu Cycle Route and the Iller Cycle Route, take cyclists to Kempten, the metropolis of the Allgäu. The central junction has a lot to offer visitors. After all, the ancient Roman city has an impressive two thousand years of history. Even if you “only” stroll through the old town, enjoy a break in the shade of the trees in the garden of the Residence or watch the busy hustle and bustle in one of the cafés, you will be captivated by the charm of the city. For alongside all the tradition, alongside the rolling hills, the cows with the jingling bells, the beautiful peaks, the historic cities – the Allgäu is also a modern region in motion. And right in the middle of it is: the Allgäu Circular Cycling Route.

More information about the Allgäu Circular Cycling Route