cpjmajdt

We are thinking of bicycling from Garmisch through Oberammergau to Fussen this summer over two days. We would like to visit Ettal and Linderhof and probably spend the middle night in Oberammergau. Would it be more scenic to bike from Linderhof into Austria, by Plansee and through Reutte, or to go north through Unterammergau and with a detour to Wies? Is there a significant difference in level of difficulty (i.e. hills)? It looks as if the distance is a little longer by the northern route. Does anyone know if there would be a difference in traffic on the roads or road surface? Thank you very much!

swandav2000

Hi cpjmajdt,

I often bike from Garmisch to Oberau (and onward to Murnau) and the reverse, where it's flat (lol)! I haven't gone up into the hills there to reach Oberammergau. I've been to/around Linderhof and in the Plansee neighborhood, and I think that route would be the more scenic -- forests etc. I've also been to Unterammergau, but it didn't strike me as particularly scenic.

Yes, it'll be hilly. Not sure if one way is steeper than the other -- if you look at a geo map, you'll be able to tell quickly.

There's always traffic on the road between Garmisch and Oberammergau, and it's a narrow road. But if you have a mountain bike, you'll be able to stick to the bike trails.

BTW, when I got my German driver's license, I learned that German drivers are **required** to pass a bicyclist with a *minimum* of 1,50 m clearance. My main transport in the region is by bike, and I've found that about 85 - 95% of the drivers do that. The offenders are usually, of course, young, or those with car plates from out of town. So, you should really be ok.

Have fun as you plan!

s

asps

It is a bit of time I do not drive there, but in my memory the Unterammergau itinerary is much flatter. Also I remember a short but steep climb between Oberau and Ettal, where the road is a bit narrower.

While you are at it, a very pleasant cycling itinerary could be going up by train to Mittenwald and cycling down to Garmisch on mostly independent cycling lanes in a very serene landscape.

flpab

<There's always traffic on the road between Garmisch and Oberammergau, and it's a narrow road. But if you have a mountain bike, you'll be able to stick to the bike trails.>

You are brave doing that! I never noticed the bike path there. What a great ride though that would be.

swandav2000

Oh, flpab, I haven't done it, lol! As I said, I've only biked the flats, around Oberau and to Murnau, etc.

But as others and busses have driven me up to Oberammergau and Linderhof and Ettal, I've seen the bike lane. And there are bike lanes ALL OVER the area.

s

cpjmajdt

Thank you all for your responses. I guess I need to do a little more research and see if there really are bike paths along the routes or if we will need to use the roads. We live in the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania and do a number of hilly rides here, but obviously it's not the same as the Alps! I will look into those geo maps.