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Need urgent tips for a bike ride from Germany-Austria-Italy-Germany

Hi to all. I dont have many posts on this forum although I have been lurking here for a while.

As one of my dreams in life to do separate small rides in different parts of the globe, I have finally decided to make the start in beautiful Europe. Ofcourse, with other family/work commitments, the best time I can squeeze is a 7-day trip on a rented bike starting around 18 May 2010 and I have zeroed in on starting/ending the trip in Munich, Germany.

Myself & wife plan to undertake this trip. We are Indians & will travel on Schengen visas, hence I would like to cover, Germany (Munich to Austrian border part only), Austria and Italy, and returning from Italy directly back to Munich if that’s possible.

I would be grateful if some of the touring experts on this wonderful forum can guide me on the following:

Suggestions for a reasonable bike rental company in Munich from where I pick-up/drop bike. I am told its cheaper to rent directly from some BMW dealers etc. (Prefer a BMW RT or K1200GT). Since its my first time renting a bike in Europe, anything in particular that I must look for in the rental agreement as I am covering 3 countries.
MOST IMPORTANT: Suggestions for a nice route starting in Munich going to Austria and then Italian Dolomites & back to Munich. Since we love nature & history, probably a route with about 200kms of riding each day before sunset (hope that mileage is OK) with some bit of Austrian Alps, a little bit of other history like castles, lakes etc and then the Italian Dolomites and then directly from there back to Munich. NO AUTOBAHNS or OFF-ROAD- I only want quite secondary roads that have good tarmac to enjoy the ride and the scenery. And yes, we stay in budget hotels for the night- No camping.

I thank everybody in advance for any valuable tips & advice you can provide us in realizing our dream. Eagerly awaiting your early replies as the Schengen visas at times takes a while to process.

Many thanks,
Haroon

Thanks Diethard.
I want to keep Switzerland for another trip.
I am unable to reply to your PM as I am still at 3 posts in this forum.

I have been waiting a reply from Karl Maier BMW for the rental bike, with many reminders and atleast 5-6 calls but seems they are busy with other things. Are they acting so funny coz they are the least expensive or is it just they are not in the mood to reply!

Can anybody suggest me another direct dealer/renter in Munich that can rent BMW bikes at a good price.

Thanks
Haroon

Hi Haroon, in Italy side of your trip you can mix the view of most famous Dolomities sightseen and hidden unknow sections.

If you enter in Italy from Ostrerreich you can ride on Grossglockner pass and lead south on Italian border heading to Comeglians-Villa Santina-Tramonti di sotto-Barcis-Erto (narrow and impressive valley with historical dramatic dam)-Longarone-Cortina D'Ampezzo (amazing place with one of the best sight of Dolomites but with very expensive hotels) - misurina (famous amazing lake) and if you ask you can take a private road (toll pay) park the motorbike and in one hour easy walk you can see the "Tre cime di Lavaredo" one of the most famous dolomites summit sightseen)-Dobbiaco-San candido and then back in Ostrerreich

There is much more to see but in 7 days the above mentioned path is already quite tight.

Enjoy

Fabio (Milan-Italy)

Hi, I was in the Dolomites & Alps last summer as part of a tour, we tried to link as many 'Passes' together as possible as we crossed from East to West. The roads are fantastic and not too busy. It is expensive, therfore i would recommend camping or hostels if you are on a budget. A German phrase book will be useful.
I would not over plan, buy a map, research the best roads & accomodation and leave room to be spontanious.
I don,t always get to where i planned to go but i always get somewhere. Andy B

Welcome to Europe!

Hi and welcome to Europe!

A friend of mine is a BMW motorcycle dealer, close to Frankfurt Airport(30 min).

He rents out BMWs, the are in perfect conditions, check out his website:
Link for Rental bikes

BMW Motorrad Stilgenbauer | Mietmotorräder

I think there are more flights to Frankfurt and maybe cheaper...

If you need Airport transfer, hotel etc. - no problem!

Have a look at the HU Germany Meeting in Juli - I am the organizer.
(If you have any questions -just ask)

Jens - El Aleman
(right now in Chile)

Best route in my view would be as follows:

Munich - Salzburg (well worth a look) - Spend a day or two in the Salzkammergut/Dachstein region then head south to Bruck then Grossglockner (Grossglockner High Alpine Road).

After the pass I'd recoomend heading east to Spittal and taking int the NockalmStrasse before dropping into Italy via Villach

Have you thought about going a bit further and going through Slovenia?? It is awesome and a couple of days detour will see you in the Julian Alps and then into eastern Italy.

I don't know Italy well for biking (I live in Austria) but when coming back up I would recoomend you take the route from Italy into eastern Switzerland - do the Stelvio Pass or BerninaPass. Once in Switzerland take the route east through the National Park from Zernez to Mals and then head form Innsbruck.

From Innsbruck you can go up through the mountians to Bavaria and then to Munich.

Alternatively, don't go as far as Innsbruck but head to Garmish.

Oh, and if anyone suggests go go to Augsburg - forget it- the place sucks!

Have fun.

J

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabio (Post 278149)

Thanks Fabio. I am still researching the maps & will take a look at the points you have mentioned. Ofcourse, I will try not to overstretch myself for 7 days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andysr6 (Post 278204)

Yes Andy. I plan on hostels and will walk into them enroute without any prereserved booking. Good point on German phrase book, Thanks. Its on my shopping list.

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Aleman - Jens (Post 278239)

Thanks Jen. Actually, we have good flight connections and price deals directly into Munich, thats why I am skipping Frankfurt. However after returning the bike, we plan to take another sightseeing trip for 2-3 days by train/foot. Will decide in the coming days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrob0311 (Post 278294)

Thanks Jrob for the tips.
With the research so far, my rough route is Munich-Innsbruck-Arabba (some small side trips in dolomites), then Arabba-Villach-Salzburg-Munich. I didnt take the Swiss visa as the time does not permit. Maybe another trip as that is also tempting. Ofcourse, still awaiting the Michelling maps that I have ordered. Also confirmed the bike at Karl Maier (they had some bike show etc and thats why the delay. Now they are fairly prompt with their response).

Will the Grossglockner pass be closed in May due to snow?

Grossglockner should be open by the time you get there yes. Also, CH is now Schengen so you should not need a visa to enter from Austria - worth checking.

Cheers

J

We spebt 8 weeks touring Europe last fall and coming back for more this comong fall. Best place we visited and plan to go is Halstatt Austria. It is just South of Salzburg and about the most scenic place in the world. Very quiet and great B&B's right on the lake.You can't miss going there. The bone house, the mountains, the electric rent a boats. Fantastic

Thanks jrob0311. Yes, I am planning Grossglockner on my way of the first leg from Munich to Arabba. Plan to halt first night at some place just before Grossglockner and ride there next morning. Hope the snow clears by then! Have to keep Switzerland for another trip....

Thanks jgconzemius. Your suggestion has come at the right moment as I was just searching for some places close to Salzburg. Anyways, we have kept a spare day to tour Salzburg on foot (if we are able to stick to the schedule).I will shortlist Halstatt per your suggestion. Thanks again.