01 - Overview
The Lechradweg traces one of the most captivating rivers in the Alps over well over 240 kilometres: from the wild, turquoise Tyrolean Lech in the nature park between Steeg and the national border, down through the Bavarian pre-Alpine foothills, past Füssen, Schongau and Landsberg am Lech, into the Fugger city of Augsburg, and on to the Danube at Marxheim. The route spans two countries, two river worlds and a multi-day tour - the Austrian opening belongs to the most impressive wild river landscapes in the Northern Alps.
The Lechradweg runs from Steeg in the upper Tyrolean Lechtal, at around 1,100 metres, to the confluence with the Danube at Marxheim in Bavaria - well over 240 kilometres downstream through two countries and two very different river worlds. The starting point is not at the actual source of the Lech (the Formarinsee in Vorarlberg, the starting point of the Lechweg long-distance hiking trail) but at the village of Steeg, the practical beginning of the cycle route in the upper Lechtal. Those who wish to start higher can take the Regiobus 110 from Reutte and begin the descent from there. The route is signed in both directions; we describe it downstream, the net-downhill direction, with around 720 metres of descent overall. The Austrian section, the first and most memorable part of the tour, passes through the Naturpark Tiroler Lech: roughly 62 kilometres through one of the last largely intact wild-river landscapes in the Northern Alps. The Lech still flows here in braided, unconfined channels, turquoise-green over pale gravel bars on which the German Tamarisk (Myricaria germanica) grows - a relic species that has almost lost its foothold in the Northern Alps; the upper Isar in Bavaria and the Halblech are its nearest remaining relatives. The Holzgau suspension bridge does not span the Lech itself but the narrow side gorge of the Höhenbachtal nearby - a worthwhile short detour from the cycle path. At Reutte the Ehrenberg castle complex and the highline179 bridge greet visitors; shortly beyond lies Vils, one of the smallest towns in Austria, with town rights since 1327. The route then crosses into Bavaria and reaches Füssen with the Lechfall, a waterfall of around seven metres set in a narrow gorge. Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau lie a few kilometres to the east - a rewarding side-trip, but not on the route itself. Beyond Füssen the character of the Lech changes fundamentally: in Bavaria the river is regulated by barrages along much of its course, with only isolated sections such as the Litzauer Schleife or the Augsburg city forest retaining a near-natural character. At the same time the terrain shifts: the pre-Alpine foothills between Füssen and Landsberg am Lech roll with real climbs and descents - not a gentle river-following glide but a lively hill country. Stages 3 and 4 are the most physically demanding sections of the trip, each with around 435 to 482 metres of ascent; those who underestimate them may be surprised at Schongau. From Landsberg the Lechfeld plain opens out and the route becomes flat. The old town of Landsberg am Lech, with its late-Gothic Bayertor and the Lechwehr, deserves a rest stop. The route then rolls unhurriedly across the flat Lechfeld to Königsbrunn and into the Augsburg urban landscape: the Fuggerei, the oldest still-inhabited social housing development in the world (founded 1521), the Town Hall with its Golden Hall, and the Augsburg water-management system (UNESCO World Heritage since 2019) make this city a highlight of the final stages. From the eastern edge of Augsburg the cycle path follows the now calm, regulated Lech by way of Gersthofen and Rain am Lech to Marxheim, where the river joins the Danube - and where the Danube Cycle Path, one of the most popular long-distance cycle routes in Europe, takes over. The Lechradweg is around 65 per cent paved; the remaining third runs on well-graded compacted gravel and packed-gravel surface. The most extensive gravel stretches lie not in the wild Tyrolean upper reaches - which are predominantly paved - but in the lower Bavarian Lech valley between Augsburg and the Danube, where the path runs for long stretches through the Lech floodplains; these surfaces are firm and roll well, with only short, occasional sections of looser gravel. A solid touring or trekking bike is ideal; a road bike is not comfortable on the gravel sections. The Tyrolean sections through the Lechtal are particularly well built and explicitly family-friendly; the tour as a whole over seven stages and well over 240 kilometres is best suited to experienced cycle tourists.
- Regions
- Tyrol
- Start
- Steeg
- Finish
- Marxheim
- Surface
- Paved · Compacted · Fine gravel
- Network
- Regional
- Best season
- April - October
- Signposting
- fully signposted
- Road-bike friendly
- Yes · Mostly pavedwell documented
65 % paved, longest unpaved stretch 1 km.
02 - Stages
7 stages · 238 km
01Steeg - Weißenbach am LechSteeg · Holzgau · Häselgehr · Elmen · Stanzach · Weißenbach am Lech43 km
The first and wildest day leads through the heart of the Naturpark Tiroler Lech - one of the last largely intact wild-river landscapes in the Northern Alps. The Lech here still flows in braided, unconfined channels across turquoise gravel plains where the rare German Tamarisk grows. With 389 metres of descent and barely any climbing, the river carries the rider almost effortlessly to Weißenbach - a long, memorable introduction to the Lechtal. Near Holzgau a short detour to the suspension bridge over the neighbouring Höhenbachtal gorge is worth it.
- Ascent
- 37 m
- Descent
- 389 m
- Duration
- approx. 2.5-3.5 h
- Surface
- Paved & compacted gravel
Surface (measured): paved
02Weißenbach am Lech - FüssenWeißenbach am Lech · Reutte · Pflach · Vils · Füssen24 km
The shortest stage packs in a lot of culture: at Reutte the Ehrenberg castle complex with its Via Claudia Augusta gateway and the spectacular highline179 bridge invite a stop. Shortly beyond lies Vils, one of the smallest towns in Austria (town charter since 1327). The route then crosses into Bavaria and reaches Füssen with the rushing Lechfall - a drop of nearly seven metres into a narrow gorge. A short, eventful section that brings together the last Austrian kilometres and the Bavarian opening.
- Ascent
- 47 m
- Descent
- 167 m
- Duration
- approx. 1.5-2.0 h
- Surface
- Paved & compacted gravel
Surface (measured): paved
03Füssen - SchongauFüssen · Roßhaupten · Lechbruck am See · Schongau41 km
Beyond Füssen both the river and the route change character. The Lech is now impounded; at the Forggensee, a large reservoir, it shows its tamed Bavarian face. The terrain, however, stays lively: the pre-Alpine hill country rolls with real climbs and descents (435 m up, 421 m down) - not a gentle river-following ride but a varied profile. At Lechbruck am See the rafting tradition recalls centuries of transporting timber and people on the Lech. Schongau at the day's end greets you with a preserved medieval city wall.
- Ascent
- 435 m
- Descent
- 421 m
- Duration
- approx. 3.0-4.0 h
- Surface
- Paved & compacted gravel
Surface (measured): paved 90 % · fine gravel 10 %
04Schongau - Landsberg am LechSchongau · Hohenfurch · Landsberg am Lech36 km
The most demanding stage of the trip (482 m of climbing) winds through the rolling Pfaffenwinkel landscape, past forests and moorland, with broad views back toward the Alps. The rolling profile surprises those expecting flat valley riding. The reward comes at the end: Landsberg am Lech with its late-Gothic Bayertor of 1425, the Lechwehr barrage and the old town rising high above the river. From here the Lechfeld plain opens wide ahead.
- Ascent
- 482 m
- Descent
- 487 m
- Duration
- approx. 2.5-3.5 h
- Surface
- Paved & compacted gravel
Surface (measured): paved 81 % · fine gravel 19 %
05Landsberg am Lech - KönigsbrunnLandsberg am Lech · Kaufering · Klosterlechfeld · Königsbrunn30 km
From Landsberg the Lechfeld opens out: the river now runs regulated through a wide open plain, and barrages replace the wildness of the Tyrolean floodplains. The stage is flat and comfortable; by way of Kaufering and Klosterlechfeld the route rolls quietly to Königsbrunn on the southern edge of Augsburg. A recovery stage after the demanding pre-Alpine sections, with the urban experience of Augsburg visible ahead.
- Ascent
- 94 m
- Descent
- 168 m
- Duration
- approx. 1.75-2.5 h
- Surface
- Paved & compacted gravel
Surface (measured): paved 61 % · fine gravel 39 %
06Königsbrunn - GersthofenKönigsbrunn · Augsburg · Gersthofen22 km
The shortest and most urban stage leads through Augsburg, the cultural highlight of the whole tour. The Fuggerei (founded 1521) is the oldest still-inhabited social housing development in the world; the Renaissance town hall with its Golden Hall and the Augsburg water-management system (UNESCO World Heritage since 2019) reward every detour into the centre. The Lech runs along the eastern edge of the city - the stage is completely flat and partly on firm gravel paths near the bank, and leaves plenty of time for the city itself.
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 89 m
- Duration
- approx. 1.25-2.0 h
- Surface
- Paved & compacted gravel
Surface (measured): fine gravel 88 % · paved 12 %
07Gersthofen - MarxheimGersthofen · Rain am Lech · Marxheim42 km
The final stage carries the rider on flat terrain through the wide Lech floodplains to the confluence with the Danube. At Rain am Lech the town history recalls the Battle of 1632 (Tilly). At the end, near Marxheim, the Lech joins the Danube - a quiet, impressive finale after well over 240 kilometres following the river. The Danube Cycle Path connects here, one of the most-cycled long-distance routes in Europe; those who wish can simply continue downstream.
- Ascent
- 19 m
- Descent
- 113 m
- Duration
- approx. 2.5-3.5 h
- Surface
- Paved & compacted gravel
Surface (measured): fine gravel 75 % · paved 25 %
03 - Elevation
Elevation across the full distance - move the cursor to read altitude and kilometre.
Elevation profile over 238 km. Ascent 1113 m, descent 1835 m. Lowest point 394 m, highest point 1118 m.
Elevation from OSM geometry + Digital Terrain Model (DGM) Austria (10 m).
Hover the profile to see the point on the map - and vice versa.
04 - POIs & Services
- Naturpark Tiroler Lech - one of the last wild rivers of the Northern Alps (Natura 2000)
- German Tamarisk (Myricaria germanica) - rare plant on the Lech gravel bars
- Holzgau suspension bridge - 200 m across the Höhenbachtal gorge (detour from the path)
- Ehrenberg castle complex & highline179 (ruin, Fort Claudia, Via Claudia Augusta)
- Vils - one of the smallest towns in Austria (town charter since 1327)
- Lechfall Füssen - a waterfall of around 7 m in a narrow gorge
- Landsberg am Lech - Bayertor (1425), Lechwehr barrage and old town above the river
- Augsburg - Fuggerei (oldest still-inhabited social housing in the world, founded 1521)
- Augsburg - Town Hall/Golden Hall & UNESCO Water Management System (World Heritage 2019)
- Lech-Danube confluence at Marxheim - journey end and connection to the Danube Cycle Path
Services along the route
- Bike serviceThe villages in the Austrian Lechtal are well set up for cycle tourists; Reutte is the main service hub with bike shops and rental. Füssen and Augsburg have extensive workshop and rental options. In between, the larger stage towns (Schongau, Landsberg) offer basic supplies. On the long section between Füssen and Schongau it is worth carrying your own repair kit. The route rides best on a sturdy touring or trekking bike; a road bike is not ideal on the compacted gravel sections.
- E-bikeCharging stations in the stage towns along the whole route; Reutte, Füssen, Landsberg am Lech and Augsburg are the most reliable charging points. The demanding pre-Alpine sections (stages 3-4, with around 435-482 m of climbing each) are considerably more relaxed on an e-bike.
- Drinking waterDrinking fountains and inns in all stage towns; only on the longer stretches through the pre-Alpine hill country (stages 3-4) between villages is it advisable to carry water.
- Food & drinkFrom Tyrolean inns to Augsburg city restaurants, catering accompanies the whole trip. The Austrian section scores with Tyrolean cooking; Schongau, Landsberg am Lech and Augsburg offer a full range. Even in the Lech floodplains before Marxheim there are options for a meal in Rain am Lech.
- Multi-day touringHotels, guesthouses and inns along all seven stages; advance booking is recommended in the peak months of July and August, especially in Reutte and Füssen. The Austrian nature park section is deliberately well developed for tourism - accommodation is available in Holzgau, Stanzach and Weißenbach am Lech.
Service points along the route
- Drinking water69
- Repair station16
- Bike shop35
- Bike rental42
- Charging station128
Service points from OpenStreetMap. Coverage may be incomplete, some fountains are seasonal - verify before you rely on them.
05 - Impressions
An arm of the braided wild Lech near Forchach in the Naturpark Tiroler Lech - turquoise water over pale gravel bars, one of the last largely intact wild rivers of the Northern Alps.Photo: Der wilde Tiroler Lech bei Forchach · Christian Namesnik · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Lechradweg near Höfen close to Reutte - the paved valley path runs beside the turquoise wild river against the backdrop of the Tyrolean Alps.Photo: Der Lechradweg bei Höfen · Bruno413 · CC0 1.0 The roughly 200-metre suspension bridge at Holzgau spans the neighbouring Höhenbachtal gorge - not the Lech itself - and makes a worthwhile short detour from the cycle path.Photo: Hängebrücke Holzgau · Basotxerri · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Lech weir at Landsberg am Lech - in Bavaria the Lech is regulated along much of its course; the late-Gothic old town with the Bayertor rises high above the river.Photo: Lechwehr in Landsberg am Lech · Greymouser · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Vorderer Lech canal in Augsburg's Lech quarter - part of the Augsburg Water Management System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.Photo: Vorderer Lech in Augsburg · Tiia Monto · CC BY-SA 3.0 The mouth of the Lech (left) into the Danube near Marxheim - the quiet end of the journey, where the Danube Cycle Path connects.Photo: Lechmündung bei Marxheim · Freak-Line-Community · CC BY-SA 3.0
06 - Public transit
- Rail: Reutte in Tirol (Außerfernbahn from Kempten/Garmisch)Steeg has no rail connection. The Außerfernbahn connects Reutte in Tirol with Kempten (and onward to Munich) and with Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From Reutte the Regiobus 110 (Reutte - Weißenbach - Elbigenalp - Steeg - Lech) runs with a bicycle trailer to the upper Lechtal in around 1 hour 10 minutes.
- Regiobus 110 (Reutte - Steeg, with bicycle trailer)The Regiobus 110 is the only public transport link into the upper Lechtal as far as Steeg. The bus tows a bicycle trailer; check capacity and book in advance if possible. Journey time Reutte - Steeg around 1 hour 10 minutes.
- En route: Vils station, Füssen station, Landsberg am Lech, Augsburg HauptbahnhofVils (Außerfernbahn) and Füssen (Buchloe/Munich line) allow flexible entry in the upper section. Augsburg Hauptbahnhof is an ICE/IC hub with direct connections to Munich, Vienna and Frankfurt - ideal as a return-journey point. Donauwörth is the nearest large station to the Danube confluence at Marxheim.
- Connection: Danube Cycle Path at MarxheimAt the end point near Marxheim the Danube Cycle Path connects - one of the most popular long-distance cycle routes in Europe. Those who want to extend the tour can plan to continue up- or downstream. The classic pattern: bus to Steeg, ride the Lechradweg to Augsburg, return by train.
Steeg has no rail connection: take the train to Reutte in Tirol (Außerfernbahn from Kempten or Garmisch), then the Regiobus 110 with bicycle trailer into the upper Lechtal (approx. 1 h 10 min). En route, Vils and Füssen offer entry points; Augsburg Hauptbahnhof (ICE/IC) is the recommended return point. Connection to the Danube Cycle Path at Marxheim.
07 - GPX & TCX download
Download for GPS devices & apps
Clean track with elevation - imports as a single tour, compatible with Komoot, Garmin, Wahoo, Strava, RideWithGPS, OsmAnd.
Download stages individually (7)
Route derived from OpenStreetMap geometry - may differ slightly from on-the-ground signage. © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0) · Elevation © DGM Austria (CC BY 3.0 AT). Redistribute with attribution.