There are countless opportunities to go on a trip in the Oberland.
One of them is a bike tour from Wolfratshausen to the Bibisee.
The perfect family excursion with an alpine feeling.
Wolfratshausen -
Flat paths through shady forests, an alpine pasture in the flat country and a cozy swimming lake with a water slide, paddling pool and grill station make this 35-kilometer circuit from Wolfratshausen to Bibisee and back an experience for the whole family.
We have chosen the S-Bahn station in Wolfratshausen as the start and finish point.
From there we take the footpath and bike path that runs parallel to the tracks out of town towards Geretsried.
At the bridge that crosses the Loisach-Isar Canal, cyclists have to make a decision: those in a hurry, who can't wait to spread their towels on the lake, pedal straight ahead.
The path then leads (almost) straight to the bathing lake in the Königsdorf district of Wiesen, which was created from gravel mining.
Nature lovers turn left after the bridge and follow the signs to the "Isar Cycle Path".
It is reached three bridges further.
A cross with a history
We branch off to the right where the water of the canal rushes into the Isar.
The next seven or eight kilometers you cycle with pleasure through the wonderful mixed forest, the Wolfratshauser Forst.
If necessary, there are a number of wooden benches on the way to take a breather.
Soon a large cross on the wayside will attract attention.
There is nothing to indicate the tragic love story behind the so-called “Red Cross”.
Many 100 years ago a - naturally beautiful - Wolfratshauerin named Philomena is said to have fallen in love with a raftsman.
Now members of this profession were considered hallodris at that time, which is why his daughter's father forbade the relationship.
Instead, he sent her to a nearby castle as a maid.
Legend has it that the raftsman would not be put off by it, found his lover and fled with her.
However, on the Isar, where they were waiting for a raft, hunters caught up with the lovers.
Girl robbery was severely punished at the time.
Aware of this, the lover chose to part with life rather than suffer in torture.
He rammed a knife in his chest.
Philomena is said to have erected a cross on the site of the bloodshed soon afterwards.
It has been renewed several times over the centuries, most recently in 1987.
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Cycling through beautiful mixed forest: many paths are in the shade.
© Rudi Stallein
As you drive on, the Isar occasionally flashes through the trees to the left.
In many places well-trodden paths lead through the forest down to the river.
Bikes parked on the cycle path are usually an indication that there is a place not too far away where you can refresh yourself in the water or enjoy a short sunbath.
But be careful: We are in the Isarauen nature reserve.
This is indicated by a number of signs, including rules of conduct that every hiker and cyclist should obey as much as possible.
This particularly applies to the ban on entering the specially marked bird protection areas.
Nice view of the Isar
After a few kilometers, the Isar cycle path comes to a larger fork.
A covered table and bench set invites you to unpack the picnic basket.
A large board with lots of colorful pictures provides information about the birds in the reserve.
Here we turn left, follow the signs to Geretsried-Zentrum and after a few 100 meters we have a clear view of the Isar for the first time, which, coming from the south, winds in a bend towards Wolfratshausen.
Shortly afterwards the forest path joins the Isardamm road.
We turn left into this and follow it for around three kilometers.
At the Geretsrieder ice rink, we dive back into the forest.
We follow the shady path until two clearly visible stop signs mark the transition to the busy Tattenkofener Straße.
Shortly before, our path branches off to the right in the direction of “Geretsried-Zentrum” to the crossroads at the cemetery.
From here you need a little sense of direction if you want to drive around the south of Geretsried on the bike path: At the traffic lights we cross Adalbert-Stifter-Straße, keep to the right at the bus stop, then take the bike path towards Wolfratshausen, at the first crossroads left to the fork, from there the cycle path signs towards Königsdorf provide orientation again.
A short distance is on public roads, past the traffic training area on Robert-Schumann-Weg.
At the end of this, we have a well-maintained cycle path under the tires again.
The sign with the stylized scallop shell indicates that we are now on a section of the Camino de Santiago.
Soon “Bibisee” will be the destination on the signposts for the first time.
On the left, a humpbacked, pine-lined willow will soon announce the next stopover: the Königsdorfer Alm will tempt you to stop for a stop with fish on the stick and draft beer.
Fun and food at the Bibisee
Anyone traveling with children cannot avoid the cozy beer garden when the little ones have only discovered the playground with a climbing tower and the romping Goassn on the bike path.
The Alm has a long history.
It was founded on September 29, 1907.
At the instigation of the mayor of Königsdorf, Johann Geiger, 68 landowners and farmers formed a pasture cooperative.
The pasture had an area of 178 hectares, the wooden bar fence that bordered it was seven kilometers.
The shepherds, who lived on the alpine pastures during the summer, made butter and cheese and entertained guests on Sundays, for example the alpine farmers and their families who looked after their cattle.
Traditionally, the Alm only opens on weekends this year, from May to the end of September every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.
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The rewarding goal: At the end of the tour, you can take a refreshing swim in the Bibisee.
© Rudi Stallein
After two more kilometers the destination is reached: the Bibisee.
Gravel has been mined here since 1963, and as early as 1969 the quarry pond gradually developed into a small, fine recreational area that attracts families in droves.
The 50-meter water slide is great fun for children, and a paddling pool will please the little ones.
Two lawns invite you to sunbathe.
Any hunger pangs are quickly satisfied at the kiosk with a large covered terrace - with cevapcici, bratwurst or schnitzel and chips, all at family-friendly prices between 4.50 and six euros.
And if you like, you can sizzle your own neck steaks, sausages and Wammerl on four large brick grills.
The quickest way back to the starting point of the tour is on the bike path along the B11.
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