Via Julia from Günzburg to Salzburg
The Via Julia was of great importance to the Roman Empire from the time of Emperor Septimius Severus. Until the third century AD, its construction and route enabled the rapid movement of troops to secure the empire. In contrast to most other long-distance cycle routes in Bavaria, which run north-south along rivers, the Via Julia is orientated from west to east from Swabia to Salzburg. The varied route passes through the centre of Augsburg, skirts Munich on its southern edge and crosses other Bavarian towns such as Rosenheim and Traunstein. Otherwise, the 300-kilometre route shows the rural side of Swabia and Upper Bavaria, which many touring cyclists also love. Highlights include the many lakes, such as Chiemsee and Eggstätter Seen, as well as the picturesque Alpine foothills in Rupertiwinkel.
Character
The Via Julia runs on tarmac and gravel cycle paths or quiet side roads.
The entire route is recommended in 5 to 6 day stages.
Route
Günzburg - Augsburg - Munich - Rosenheim - Söchtenau - Bad Endorf - Breitbrunn - Seebruck - Chieming - Traunstein - Teisendorf - Freilassing - Salzburg.
The entire route is uniformly signposted with the name "Via Julia".
Tour combinations
Connection to Via Claudia Augusta and Romantic Road near Augsburg, Isar cycle path south of Munich, Inn cycle path in Rosenheim, Lake Constance-Königssee cycle path in Traunstein, Tauern cycle path and Mozart cycle path in Salzburg.
Arrival/means of transport
Arrival and departure by train to Günzburg and from Salzburg, DB cyclists' hotline on 0180 6 99 66 33 (20 ct/call from a landline, max. 60 ct/call from a mobile phone). www.bahn.de.
The route passes many railway stations along the way in order to shorten or bridge distances if necessary.
Cycle-friendly accommodation
Hotel Römer in Günzburg, www.hotel-roemer.de
Hotel Ost am Kö in Augsburg, www.ostamkoe.de
Alter Wirt in Grünwald near Munich, www.alterwirt.de
Seehotel Wassermann in Seebruck am Chiemsee, www.seehotel-wassermann.de
Hotel Hohenstauffen in Salzburg, www.hotel-hohenstauffen.at
Maps & Literature
Verlag f.o.r.u.m. "Radwandern auf den Spuren der Römerstraße VIA JULIA", 104 pages, 9.95 euros.
Information (general)
Tourist information on the regions in Bavarian Swabia and Upper Bavaria at
www.bayerisch-schwaben.de;
www.bayern.by;
www.chiemsee-alpenland.de and
www.chiemgau-tourismus.de;
www.viajulia.net
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 5/2015. You can read the entire issue in the Trekkingbike app (iTunes and Google Play) or order the issue in the DK shop.
