Bicycling

It's easy to bike to Schloss Linderhof (14 km [9 miles]) and to Ettal (4 km [2½ miles]) on the scenic paths along the river, where there are several good places to go swimming and have a picnic. The trail to Ettal branches off in the direction of Linderhof (marked as Graswang) where it becomes part of an old forestry road. Take the branch of the Ettal path that goes via the Ettaler-Mühle (Ettal Mill); it's quieter, the river is filled with trout, and the people you meet along the way give a friendly Grüss Gott! (Greet God!). The path opens up at a local-heavy restaurant with fantastic views of the Kloster.

Sport-Zentrale Papistock. You can rent bikes here for €12 per day or e-bikes for €22. They are located across the street from the train station, directly at the trailhead to Ettal and Linderhof. Bahnhofstr. 6a, Oberammergau, Bavaria, 82487. 08822/4178; www.sportzentrale-papistock.de. Closed Sun..