Cross-border adventures through lush green meadows past enchanting castles, turquoise lakes and medieval villages – the Bannwaldsee Ride is a must for roadbike enthusiasts in Tirol. Winding its way through the Allgäu and Ammergau Alps, it starts in Tannheim and takes riders to Weißenbach am Lech before leading over the German border to Füssen, around the Bannwaldsee lake and through the Engetal Valley back to the starting point. It comprises around 95 kilometres of riding and more than 1,090 vertical metres of climbing, making it ideal for intermediate riders wishing to explore the pretty alpine foothills. Highlights en route include the Disney-like castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, the ancient town of Füssen and the ruins of Falkenstein castle.

Statistics

7 - 8

hrs

3,354

m

3,354

m

28

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Severe

Description

Starting at the tourist information office in Tannheim (1,097m), riders take the B199 road heading east to Haldensee.

After passing the lake the route continues to Nesselwängle and up over the Gaichtpass before a fast and twisting descent to Weißenbach am Lech.

Here riders take the B198 towards Reutte. The following nine kilometres lead gently downhill along the banks of the rushing Lech river.

After crossing the river at Lechaschau, riders take the L69 towards Pflach/Füssen.

Shortly after leaving Pflach turn right onto the L288 towards Piswand.

The short but challenging climb onto the Kniepass is just 200 metres in length but enough for even fit riders to work up a sweat. It is then time to take the L288 past Pinswang over the border to Ziegelwies, to the Ulrichsbrücke bridge and turn right towards Füssen.

At the bridge over the river Lech stay right again and before reaching Alterschrofen turn right towards Hohenschwangau, which is famous for its Disney-like castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. Take the quiet ST2016 road north until it reaches the B17.

This road takes riders along the eastern shore of the Bannwaldsee lake.

Take the first opportunity then to switch onto the cycle path leading to Bayerniederhofen . Follow the course of the road towards Kniebis and turn off left at the turning for Greith.

Coninue past the Hegratsriedersee lake and along the shore of the Forggensee to Schwangau.

This section leads through a nature reserve with a huge diversity of flora and wetland birds. From Schwangau the route leads back to Füssen.

After a short visit to the historic oldtown it is time to head west until riders reach the B310.

Take this road towards Pfronten.

Past the Weißensee lake and up an easy 6km climb on the main road, ascending a total of 110 vertical metres. At the turning for Pfronten, take the B310 (left) and head gently downhill to Steinach.

Shortly after leaving the village comes the only real climb of note on this ride: through the Engetal Valley to Grän along the quiet L261 up to 1,138 metres above sea level.

At the crossroads "Grän – Haldensee" turn right and take the B199 back to the starting point in Tannheim. Source: https://www.tyrol.com/things-to-do/sports/cycling/biketours/a-bannwaldsee-runde