We consider
June and September to be some of the best months for bicycle touring in and
near the Alps.
Here’s what
conditions to expect at different times of the year:
May:
By May, spring is in full force and the Alps are starting to give hints of
summer. Weather can still be a bit unstable, and there are often periods of
cold and of rain, but there are also periods of sunny weather with temperatures
that are often just right for bicycle touring.
June:
By June, the weather is a bit more stable and is generally more comfortable
than in May. It can get hot, particularly on the south side of the Alps.
July and
August: These months are often great for bicycle touring on
the northern slopes of the Alps, but hot temperatures on the south side of the
Alps make them less ideal for bicycle touring than some of the other months. Afternoon
thunderstorms are likely. In general, there will be more tourists traveling
around the Alps at this time. This may mean more crowds in one or two key
locations along the route, but it also means that more infrastructure is
available for side tours.
September:
By September, the weather often tends to stabilize, and thunderstorms are much
less likely. While there is an increased risk of cold temperatures in
September, most days in September are brilliant bicycle touring days. Oktoberfest
takes place in Munich from mid-September to early October, and during this
time, hotels throughout southern Bavaria are expensive and availability can be
difficult to find. This is important to keep in mind when making travel plans
in and around Munich.
October:
October can be a risky time for a bicycle tour, but sometimes the higher the
risk, the higher the reward. Weather in October varies greatly from year to
year. In many years, the Alps experience what is called a golden autumn, with
brilliant blue skies and temperatures just right for a bicycle tour. In other
years, October can be a miserably wet and cold time of year to be out and about
on a bicycle.
In all
months, it is reasonable to expect one to two rainy days on the bicycle.
For more
details about average temperatures and precipitation in certain times of year,
we recommend checking Meteoblue
(go to “History & Climate” and then “Climate (modelled)”) for Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Landeck, Bolzano and Torbole.
