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.
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.
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 a PDF file of this tour and map here.
Download a GPX file of this tour here.
Also interesting: More bike paths along the river Isar in and around Munich can be found here: www.isarradweg.de
