The 5 Best Bike Tours by the Water

How often do you really get the chance to see the very source of a river “live”? I’d say: not often! But in the Hinterautal, this is exactly what’s possible – because this is where the Isar begins! From here, this striking turquoise-blue river flows 300 km through a variety of landscapes until it finally joins the Danube.

On the bike tour into the Hinterautal, the forest road always runs alongside or above the first kilometers of the river. Sometimes you’ll see the wild, untamed sides of the Isar, and then it meanders gently again through alpine meadows. After about three-quarters of the route, you’ll reach the source – where fresh spring water emerges from three different spots. Taking a break here to enjoy the peace and the wonder of nature is almost a must!

Sounds like deep relaxation? It absolutely is!

The perfect tour for all mountain bike beginners: manageable overall length, minimal elevation gain – and all of it along the fresh waters of the Leutascher Ache in the Gaistal. The destination is always an alpine hut with homemade specialties in sight. That’s exactly what the bike tour to the Tillfussalm promises, which can easily be combined with a stop at the Gaistalalm. A relaxed “multi-course menu,” so to speak, accompanied by the gentle sound of flowing water – a true pleasure in every sense!

Tip: After your “workout,” you can refresh your legs at the Kneipp facility right by the Salzbach parking area!

Bike & Swim – sounds like a wonderful combination!

On warm summer days, you don’t just want to lie by the lake? You’d rather get your body moving with a bit of activity first? Then this is the perfect tour for you!

From Mösern, you set off towards Brunschkopf. You decide whether to bike straight up to the viewing platform – or add a few extra kilometers by taking the loop towards Wildmoos first. With a bit of luck, you might even spot two aperiodic lakes here (see special tip below). On the way back, the well-deserved refreshment awaits: at Lake Möserer See, it’s time to “grab your swimsuit” and dive into the cool water. This natural swimming lake is the perfect place to round off your Bike & Swim day in a relaxed way!

It doesn’t get any more watery than this! Already in Scharnitz, the cycle path takes you right along the banks of the Isar. Once you cross the border, the Riedboden opens up. The trail leads you gently through dwarf pine and alpine meadows – with the turquoise-blue Isar always to your right. Time and again, sandbanks invite you to take your first stop by the water.

Once you reach Mittenwald, you can take it up a notch by climbing a few more meters in elevation towards Lake Lautersee and Lake Ferchensee. But: the incredible feeling of diving into a mountain lake, with breathtaking views of the Wetterstein and Karwendel, makes every effort worthwhile. And if you’re lucky enough to hear the soft sound of trumpets drifting across the lake – well, even Adam & Eve would travel from paradise for that!

Did you know? The Leutascher Ache is one of the cleanest rivers in Tyrol! Flowing from the Gaistal, it accompanies you through the entire Leutasch Valley. In the end, it carves its way through The Leutasch Spirit Gorge before joining the Isar. Along the cycle path through the valley, you can follow its course. Numerous benches invite you to pause and take in the rushing stream, the surrounding peaks, and the scent of the forest. Lean back – and let go!

Once you arrive at The Leutasch Spirit Gorge, things get a little more adventurous. The rushing of the water grows louder, and you can almost feel how the Ache has carved its way through the rock over thousands of years. On foot, you can hike the Klammgeist Trail, which leads you over walkways high above the water and right into the gorge – panoramic suspension bridge included!

On bike tour no. 544 Mösern–Wildmoos around the Brunschkopf, you’ll come across two very special lakes in the Wildmoos area. Lake Lottensee and Lake Wildmoossee are aperiodic lakes – they appear and disappear as if by magic. To this day, it is not fully understood why the meadows here repeatedly fill with water and then dry up again. But if you catch them at the right moment, you’ll experience a truly unique swimming adventure to remember!