It’s fair to say that biking is a quintessential activity in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, thanks to their well-designed and well-maintained biking trails. 

Munich too, has several appealing routes, but Grünwald stands out as our favorite. Known as the wealthiest municipality in Bavaria, it’s also rich when it comes to natural beauty. With its abundance in tree growth, no wonder it’s called “Grünwald,” (Green Forest). Starting from Grosshesseloher Brücke and heading south along the Isar river takes you through really dense thickets. It’s sometimes hard to believe how close we are to residential areas. The terrain is also loved by mountain biking enthusiasts equally for the muddy and hilly terrain, which lets you find your own paths. 

After your ride, cool off with a dip in the chilly river water. When Shiva and I ventured into the river, the cold water was invigorating – ice bathing, a therapy indeed.

Renting bikes: You can easily rent a bike anywhere in Munich and bring it along on the S-Bahn. Alternatively, you can rent one near Grünwald by searching for “Fahrradverleih” on Google Maps.