Since Munich Airport moved from its old, inner-city location in Riem to Erdinger Moos in 1992, it has become somewhat more demanding to watch the planes taking off and landing. Despite the greater distance, the viewpoints are also easily accessible by bike from Munich. This route suggestion targets the less frequently visited southern viewing hill: the outbound route passes through Unterföhring, Ismaning, and Hallbergmoos, while the proposed return route passes through Schwaig, Moosinning, Kirchheim, and Aschheim, among others.
Besides the worthwhile visit to the viewing hill, the villages and towns passed through are of interest. Some still seem largely untouched by the hustle and bustle of nearby Munich – often there is a cozy bench at an old church inviting for a pleasant break!
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
The route mainly involves hazards originating from motorized traffic. Although the suggested route primarily leads via mostly lightly trafficked side streets or cycle paths accompanying the roads, wearing a bicycle helmet is strongly recommended.Roadbook
Leave Marienplatz to the right of the town hall via Dienerstraße. This pedestrian zone passes the Marienhof located behind the town hall and reaches Maximilianstraße at Max-Josef-Platz. Turning right here finally begins the actual riding route, initially alongside elegant shops and extravagant hotels. After crossing the Isar, now ascend around the Maximilianeum to the Isar riverbank and turn left onto Ismaninger Straße at the nearby Max-Weber-Platz. At Herkomerplatz, continuing straight ahead, this becomes Oberföhringer Straße. Following the street leads through Oberföhring and Unterföhring and finally reaches Ismaning. There, Münchener Straße curves widely to the right after passing Schloss Ismaning and meets a traffic light-controlled intersection after crossing a small stream. Turn left here onto Freisinger Straße and finally leave Ismaning on a cycle path running parallel to the road. In the Fischerhäuser district, keep left and continue following the now less busy Freisinger Straße. After a few kilometers, this reaches a roundabout at Hallbergmoos S-Bahn station. Take the first exit and follow the road into the Goldach district. At the height of the Gasthof Neuwirts, turn left onto Freisinger Straße, which becomes Theresienstraße in Hallbergmoos. Continue straight at the town exit and leave Hallbergmoos on a country road. This initially leads directly toward the airport but then quickly turns right. It then runs parallel to the airport grounds and finally reaches the conveniently located viewing hill after a slight left curve.
The return trip to Munich starts from the viewing hill continuing in the current direction. Soon after the airport grounds end, the road merges into the crosswise Freisinger Straße on the outskirts of Schwaig. Turn right into Schwaig and follow Freisinger Straße through the town. At the southern end of the village, it splits; here, keep right and follow Oberdinger Straße to Oberding itself. Pass through the small town and continue to Notzing, which is also passed. Attention is required again in Moosinning, as the previously straight road merges into the federal road. Turn left briefly on this and immediately right onto Neuchinger Straße. This winds through the town and reaches Niederneuching parallel to the Middle Isar Canal. Arriving there, keep right and head along Münchener Straße to Neufinsing and farther to Pliening. In town, slightly hold right following the road, proceed via Münchener Straße to Landsham, and follow the S-shaped curve there. At the town exit, a cycle path starts leading to Kirchheim, joining Erdinger Straße there. This heads into Kirchheim's town center with a left curve and continues after a right curve as Münchener Straße, soon leading out of Kirchheim. After crossing the motorway, gently descend into Aschheim. In the town center, keep straight at the traffic light and again leave along a Münchener Straße toward Dornach. Leaving the small town, before the large Dornach commercial area, turn right into Rat-Kaffl-Straße, which leads over open land and eventually into a large, confusing intersection due to tight curves. Continue straight here; Dornacher Weg circles the Riem racecourse and becomes Brodersenstraße leading to Englschalking. After the railway crossing at the S-Bahn station, the road is a bit confusing: first follow Brodersenstraße to the right, at the next intersection turn left into Barlowstraße, but after just a few meters turn right again into the wide Englschalkinger Straße. On good cycle paths, proceed to the last section of the route leading back to Munich city center. First, follow Englschalkinger Straße to the junction with Effnerstraße. Cross this and turn left toward Effnerplatz, which is also crossed. On the other side of Bülowstraße, follow the street leading into Herkomerplatz joining the route back. On now familiar paths along Ismaninger Straße and Maximilianstraße, the starting point at Marienplatz is reached again.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Munich is excellently accessible by local and long-distance public transport from all directions. Both the main station and the East station are only a few minutes away by bike from Marienplatz; alternatively, the S-Bahn is also available for getting to the starting point.Directions
Drive to Munich via the motorways A 8, A 9, A 92, A 94, A 95 or A 96.Parking
It is strongly recommended not to drive into Munich city center by car. Please use the numerous Park+Ride facilities, which are well signposted on all motorways and further trunk roads. From there, you can reach the tour start at Marienplatz easily, quickly, and cost-effectively by public transport.Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
A variety of bicycle maps are available for the area; for example, the following two maps together cover the suggested route:
- Kompass Bicycle Map No. 3120 Munich South
- Kompass Bicycle Map No. 3114 Munich North
Equipment
The roads used are continuously asphalted, and there are no special requirements for equipment.
Along the suggested route, there are numerous opportunities for refreshments.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions