Basically is this route just one single road? Please read on........... In early Sept we're touring down the Romantic Road in Bavaria. Basically one of my biking mates mentioned this as a possible bike trip but as I've already done mine this year so I'm doing this with my wife. The Romantic Road is a massive attraction in Bavaria (that I've only just heard about) and is a tour of about 27 of the most picturesque small towns and villages in southern Bavaria spread along a 220 mile route which we're doing over 10 days. Our plan is to visit about 5 towns a day before an overnight stop. We intend staying 2 nights at some of the bigger towns. On average its only about 20km between towns. So, has anyone ever done the Romantic Road either on bikes or in a car? Also, can anyone tell me if the route is simply ONE road that links all the towns or is it just a case of making your way any way you wish from town to town? What I'm saying is that the title, the Romantic Road gives the impression that it's one road but is it? Any advise would be great.
Not done it myself but there was one of those Henry Cole World's Greatest Motorcycle Ride programmes where he did it on (if I remember correctly, a KTM RC8). See World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides Series 3 | Travel Channel Programmes. Might be worth a look to see if the Travel Channel are going to repeat that episode. I got the impression the ride was more about the pretty towns and villages and scenery, rather than the roads and bends being particularly exciting as a rider experience.
Did it several times in the camper back in the mid eighties. It's a nice pretty way south but can't recall looking at it for motor biking qualities. We always used the green Michelin holiday guide books and they gave lots of info. I may have that one somewhere about the house, I'll have a look if you can't find one yourself. Google might throw stuff up too.
Hi Banus. We covered a setion of that road on the bikes a while back. Its a great road, really. But only drwawback, campers, more tourists and a fair few tractors. Visibility is great in places but its worth doing. My 749s What you should do is head for Garmisch. Its got some of the best roads around it, all within a days ride. You can also get to the Timmelsjoch Pass. Really good ( apart from ignorant p***k in the toll booth at the top). This is on the Italian biorder and a must. But it can be dangerous, wet roads being so high up and tight bends with no rails. But you dont have to push on. The town of Garmisch has all the bars you want, restaurants, its not too expensive and is safe. A small but well heeled town. Other roads around Garmish within a 30 - 40 min ride and beyond. Lakes, dams, ational parks, twisty mad great roads. They are quite possibly the most brilliant biking roads ever. We thought Switzerland was good...but Germany....something else. This hotel has undegrond parking and v biker friendly Hotel Garni Garmisch-Partenkirchen The owner is a bikre himself and can help plot a great day out !
Sounds like the sort of trip that would be better on a bicycle. After all, 220 miles in 10 days will mean you're only on the bike for a few minutes a day. If it's all about the towns and a leisurely way of appreciating them wouldn't a pushbike be a better alternative? For the biking, I'd second the Garmisch Parten-Kirchen idea. Amazing roads around there.
Thanks guys, Finally, can anyone say if the route is just ONE road from top to bottom and is the route pretty straight forward to follow? I only ask this as I was expecting one road like the M5 with all the towns on that route one after another. However Google maps shows it appears to be a right mish mash of minor roads all with different numbers to get you from one town to another. Any ideas?
Its handy to follow and to be honest, if you want to "do" the road you will do it in a day. Dont get too hung up on it. Plenty of roads that are A LOT better.Its like a B road but its wide-ish and in good condition. It has a fair few exits and entrances on bends so be mindful of that. Get to Garmisch !!!
After having someone on here suggest it we spent a couple of nights in Shwangau earlier this month and it was a cracking little spot to forget about riding the bike for a day and do the tourist crap that some wives like to do as part of a holiday. Garmisch has aleady been suggested and rather than concentrating on a single route I'd get the miles done fairly quickly then spend a decent amount of time drinking beer and eating Bavarian food for a few days in the area south of Schongau. If you decide to spend a day at Neuschwanstein make sure you book your ticket online the day before so you can avoid a 2 hour queue in the sun where you spend a fair amount of time leaving your wife standing there while you walk up to the shop by the ticket office and buy cans of cold beer. Also be careful where you park your bike because there are dedicated sections for bikes in the car parks and if you don't use them they expect you to pay full price. I can't remember who it was suggested we went there but I'm glad I actually took notice for once :smile:
Thanks all and it sounds like a perfect route for a bike trip but we're doing it as a family (just the 2of us) holiday in a car hire. I go with group of 7/8 each year and have done the length of France and over the Pyrenees this year and after bragging on my return about the great time we all had my wife has decided that she should see some of these wonderful sights, hence this trip! I read somewhere that the route is well marked so you don't wander off it and get lost. Is that correct?
Germany's Romantic Road: A Guide for Walkers and..., McLachlan, Gordon Paperback 1852842334 | eBay I have a copy of this, not much info about roads tho. Mainly info about towns enroute. We did a few miles of it coming home from WDW2010 and stayed in Augsburg. The bit we were on was easy enough to ride but some of it is single carriageway no overtaking.
