Bavarian pretzels fresh from the Schloss Elmau kitchen, Wiener Schnitzel pounded thin and golden, award-winning Eng Alm mountain cheese made in a copper kettle right before your eyes, white asparagus from the alpine foothills, hearty goulash after a day in the mountains, and Black Forest cake to finish.
Crisp Franconian whites and full-bodied Austrian reds, Weissbier poured at a sun-drenched Biergarten, fresh apple juice pressed from Bavarian orchards, espresso from our La Marzocco, schnapps with the cheesemakers at Eng Alm, and a cold Radler at the end of a long day in the saddle.
Schloss Elmau is an exceptional off-grid paradise. While it may appear to be a classic mountain resort, resembling a grand castle hotel from the outside, it is actually a modern luxury hotel that seamlessly blends old-world Bavarian charm with high-end luxury.
Home to an impressive concert hall and a magnificent spa, the hotel serves as a haven for culture and refinement. Its secluded location in the Wetterstein Mountains makes it the perfect starting point for exploring this incredibly romantic region. Originally constructed between 1914 and 1916 by a philosopher-writer (now owned and operated by his grandson), the Baroque castle boasts over 100 rooms, including a yoga retreat, a top-notch medical wing, and the ‘Badehaus’, a beautifully traditional spa featuring a variety of saunas, steam baths, and an oriental hammam—said to be one of the most glamorous west of Istanbul. While the therapists excel at detoxifying and invigorating treatments, what truly sets Schloss Elmau apart is its remarkable concert hall. Did you know that the G7 summit leaders have chosen this venue twice, in 2015 and 2022?
We are thrilled that the Schloss Elmau team has selected inGamba for this extraordinary trip. Join us and you’ll see that cycling in the Alps, through Bavaria, gives you a feeling reminiscent of The Sound of Music, with snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear lakes creating picturesque scenery. The rides include fantastic climbs and awe-inspiring alpine landscapes.
Lukas Leitz grew up in the shadow of the Wetterstein Mountains and has spent his career ensuring that Schloss Elmau remains one of Europe’s most singular hotel experiences. As Managing Director, he oversees every detail of a property that is as much a cultural institution as it is a luxury retreat — from its world-class concert program to the celebrated Badehaus spa. A passionate cyclist himself, Lukas knows these roads as well as anyone, and his enthusiasm for the surrounding landscape is infectious. His partnership with inGamba is a natural one: two teams who believe that exceptional experiences are built on attention to detail, and that the best things in life are best enjoyed on two wheels.
”“Elmau is my bike haven— the serene landscapes offer an unparalleled sense of freedom and adventure, between majestic mountains, alongside refreshing clear rivers – every day surprises me again.”
Routes with genuine climbing and rewarding descents. You'll work for the views, but nothing here requires a granny gear. A satisfying day in the saddle for cyclists who enjoy a bit of punch in their rides.
Stay in the stunning locations that we know and love, and spent years finding.
The latest DOGMA F engineered for any road, equipped with the lightest electronic groupset available. E-bike option also available.
Every breakfast, lunch and dinner — from handmade pasta to Fiorentina steak grilled while you watch. Wine, espresso and aperitivi included.
Seamless transfers to and from major airports in our inGamba fleet of vehicles.
High-tech performance meets luxury for the optimal riding experience with our Custom 36.5 kit.
Professional soigneurs with peloton experience ease sore muscles and prepare you for the next day.
Five mechanics work meticulously to ensure your Pinarello is race-ready every single morning of your trip.
Don't worry about chores whilst you're away, all cycling kit is cleaned overnight, so it’s fresh, dry and ready to go each morning.
Make use a beautiful day bag from Ideal & Co. Yours to keep after the trip.
Fill your pockets with fresh snacks, or make use of an entire Enervit collection.
The best way to find your legs. This opening loop from Schloss Elmau takes you through the Alpenwelt Karwendel region, winding past the Tennsee and Schmalsee lakes and out toward Krün before returning to the hotel. The roads are quiet, the scenery is immediate, and the pace is easy. Consider it your first look at a landscape you'll spend the rest of the week getting to know.
The week's biggest climbing day, and one of its finest. We head south from Schloss Elmau and cross the border into Austria, climbing toward the village of Mösern above the Inn Valley. Towering above the town is the Peace Bell -- the largest freestanding bell in the Alps, rung every day at 5pm as a symbol of goodwill between neighbors. The views across the valley from here are extraordinary. A long, satisfying descent brings you back into Bavaria and home to the hotel.
Today is the ride that guests remember long after the week is over. The route heads into the Rißtal valley - nicknamed Little Canada for its dense forests, rushing river, and mountain walls that rise to over 3,000 meters on either side. The gradient is gentle and forgiving, the road almost entirely traffic-free, and the sense of wilderness complete. It is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful roads in the Alps.
A shorter day, but one with a destination worth every meter of climbing. The route heads up to the Eng Alm, a traditional alpine dairy high above the valley floor, where the award-winning Enger mountain cheese is made in a copper kettle using milk from cows grazing the surrounding meadows. We stop to watch the process, taste the results, and take our time before the descent back to Schloss Elmau.
Bavaria has no shortage of beautiful lakes, but Kochelsee and Walchensee are in a class of their own. Walchensee -- one of Germany's deepest and largest alpine lakes, its water a vivid turquoise-green -- is known locally as the Bavarian Caribbean. The two lakes sit at different elevations, connected since 1924 by a hydroelectric power station that uses the 200-meter drop between them. The riding between them is superb, with long views across the water and clean mountain air throughout.
A fitting finale. Today's route takes us west through the pastoral landscapes of Upper Bavaria toward Neuschwanstein Castle -- the fairy-tale fortress that inspired Walt Disney and remains one of the most photographed buildings on earth. The road there passes baroque churches, deep blue lakes, and meadows full of wildflowers. We pause at the castle, take in the view, and then make our way back to Schloss Elmau for the last dinner of the week.
This is our final morning together and after a leisurely breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye, or at least arrivederci, until we meet again. Transfers to the airport will be arranged by our hard-working crew but if you’re planning on staying a few extra days, let us know if we can help with reservations or a few recommendations.
The night before Eros Poli took victory atop Mont Ventoux he couldn’t sleep. It was not like he was dreaming of victory or even had the slightest idea the next day’s stage would change his life forever. It was just that it was hot. Unbearably, unsleepably hot in his less than stellar French hotel. His roommate had taken his mattress off the bed and was sleeping on the small balcony outside their room. And the man who would shortly become known as Monsieur Ventoux was watching football, Italy vs. Brazil in the World Cup final, to be exact. Italy lost.
The following morning as Eros dragged his weary, tired legs out of bed and down the stairs, as there was no lift, James Brown came into his head. “I feel good, I knew that I would now,” he started to repeat over and over in his head. As it would the rest of the day. He felt good, and the rest, as they say, is history.
”"We're specifically trying to give our guests the closest experience of what it means to be in a pro team, at any speed."
With years of experience in the professional peloton, our mechanics and soigneurs bring WorldTour-level care to every detail of your ride. Up to five mechanics work meticulously each day to ensure your Pinarello is perfectly tuned and adjusted for you alone—not just race-ready, but dialed to your precise preferences. Meanwhile, our soigneurs draw on their own experience as professional riders to anticipate your needs before you voice them: bottles filled and positioned exactly right, ride food prepared and timed to fuel you through the hardest climbs, post-ride massages that ease tired muscles, and the kind of quiet, confident support that prepares you mentally and physically for whatever the road brings next. This is the care that once belonged only to the pros. With inGamba, it’s yours.
Schloss Elmau sits at the end of a private valley in the Wetterstein Mountains, its baroque towers rising above pine forests and alpine meadows like something conjured from a storybook. Built between 1914 and 1916 by philosopher-writer Johannes Müller and now run by his grandson, it has never been a conventional hotel. It is a place of ideas, music, and stillness – a cultural retreat that happens to be one of the most beautiful buildings in Bavaria. The concert hall hosts world-class performances most evenings. The Badehaus spa, said to be the most glamorous west of Istanbul, offers saunas, steam rooms, and an oriental hammam. Twice, G7 leaders have chosen this valley as the place to meet. That tells you something.
For inGamba, the choice is instinctive. We have always believed that where you sleep matters as much as where you ride. After a day in the mountains, climbing through valleys that feel untouched by time, there is nowhere better to return to. The riding here is exceptional – but it is the combination of the roads, the landscape, and this remarkable building at the center of it all that makes a week at Schloss Elmau unlike anything else we offer.
”"An amazing travel experience. They make you feel like a star. I was blown away by the treatment that can only be likened to a professional athlete — just without the race."
Daniel B.Guest in 2024
”"The whole experience is magical. The rides are stunning. The care and attention to detail is first class. The massages are a lifesaver."
Lyn K.Guest in 2018, 2019 & 2023
”"The best in the industry. A once in a lifetime experience every time! The people that make inGamba are the reason you will want to travel with them again and again."
Victoria P.Guest in 2024
Single Supplement: $1,200 per person · Private Trips: Available on request for groups of 6+
Guests of inGamba are passionate cyclists who love the sport and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Most of our community are experienced riders of all ages and various abilities, who appreciate great roads, fine food, and unforgettable company.
While everyone enjoys a challenge, no one’s chasing a pro contract here. Instead, the focus is on sharing incredible rides at a comfortable pace, soaking in the scenery, and enjoying the journey. You’ll find more “middle of the pack” and “social” riders than hard chargers at the front, and with our exceptional staff-to-guest ratio, every rider is fully supported, no matter their speed or style.
Fly to: Munich
Pick-up: Munich Airport 11:00
Drop-off: Munich Airport, departure day 8:30am
We recommend arriving the night before. Our concierge can help with hotel recommendations.
Gratuities are customary if you feel the staff delivered an exceptional experience. Most guests find 10-20% of the trip cost appropriate. All tips are split evenly among the entire team.
We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your booking. View our cancellation policy →
Need to change dates? Contact us as early as possible and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
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Slow Living: The Lifestyle Shift You Can Learn on the Bike, at Any Speed
