Bike tours in and around Kempten – planned favorite routes for your next ride

Option 1: Iller-upstream – planned loop towards Öschlesee

For your next after-work ride or a relaxed morning, you can plan a tour upstream. The focus will be on smooth rolling, short breaks by the water, and a clear, easy-to-navigate route.

• Character: probably easy, with mostly moderate profile (depending on the exact variant).
• Planned highlights: Riverside sections, rest stops by the river, a possible stop at Öschlesee.
• Suitable for: Beginners, leisure cyclists, families (depending on daily form, children's level, and path conditions).

If you plan more time, you can probably extend the loop (for example, with an additional lake or countryside detour), instead of turning back directly.

Option 2: Iller-downstream – planned leisure loop towards Krugzell

For an upcoming ride with a "just let it roll" feeling, you can plan downstream. You will very likely be able to include several open sections with views into the Iller valley.

• Character: mostly relaxed to slightly undulating (depending on access roads and loops).
• Planned highlights: Scenic views, rest points by the water, quiet sections away from dense city areas.
• Suitable for: Leisure cyclists, families with older children, anyone who prefers a steady cadence.

For the return trip, you will probably be able to choose between "same way back", an alternative loop, or a combination with public transport/train (depending on the exact route).

City center ↔ Stadtweiher: planned after-work loop

For an upcoming "quick escape" moment, you can plan a compact loop between the city center and Stadtweiher. Depending on your starting point, you can plan it as a loop or out-and-back.

• Character: rather short, tending to moderate, ideal for a small time window.
• Planned stops: Stadtweiher as a break; optionally short sightseeing detours along your route.
• Suitable for: Beginners, families, anyone with little time.

Kemptner Wald: planned nature loop with moderate challenge

If you want more shade and forest air on your next tour, you can plan a loop towards Kemptner Wald. Depending on your route choice, you will be able to integrate forest roads and smaller climbs.

• Character: mostly medium distance; climbs will be noticeable depending on the variant, but remain manageable.
• Planned highlights: Quiet forest passages, less traffic noise, steady ride in greenery.
• Suitable for: Anyone with basic fitness; also as a training loop before bigger tours.

For the next ride, it's sensible to check tire tread and brakes, as forest sections can become slippery depending on the weather.

Former railway line towards Hellengerst: planned "steady uphill" tour

For an upcoming tour with well-measured exertion, you can plan a route along a former railway line towards Hellengerst. The appeal will be in gaining elevation more steadily than abruptly.

• Character: tends to be a steady incline; technically mostly uncomplicated (depending on the surface of the chosen sections).
• Planned highlights: Views into the surrounding area, calm rhythm, good suitability for steady pace.
• Suitable for: Touring bike, e-bike; also for anyone who likes climbs "without ramp shock".

For the return trip, you'll be able to go downhill much faster: Therefore, plan defensively, expect other path users, and adjust your speed early.

Up the Blender: planned short session with crisp elevation gain

For an upcoming training focused on climbing, you can choose the Blender as your destination. You will ride rather short but intense and be rewarded with a view at the top.

• Character: short and demanding; depending on the ascent, steeper sections will be possible.
• Planned highlights: Panorama over Kempten and surroundings.
• Suitable for: Sporty riders, road bike (depending on route/surface) or e-bike with training ambition.

For your next ride: Take enough water with you and plan a safe descent (brake check, anticipatory riding, control your speed).

Kempten ↔ Ottobeuren: planned culture and nature day tour

If you want to combine landscape and culture soon, you can plan a day tour towards Ottobeuren. You will have to expect an undulating profile and want to allow enough time for a stop on site.

• Character: longer loop with repeated climbs and descents.
• Planned highlights: Hilly landscape, viewpoints, cultural stopover in Ottobeuren.
• Suitable for: Riders with solid basic fitness; with e-bike, the exertion becomes more manageable.

For your next tour, consciously plan breaks (snack/drink) so that the second half of the loop remains stable.

"Kemptner Runde": planned all-round loop for your next "standard day"

If you're looking for a loop for the next opportunity that "offers a bit of everything", you can plan a so-called "Kemptner Runde": varied, not too long, and with moderate elevation gain.

• Orientation data for planning: approximately 31.6 km and about 266 meters of elevation; depending on your pace, you can plan about 2 hours of pure riding time.
• Possible course: as a loop with sections around Stadtweiher, Iller crossings, and through surrounding areas (e.g., towards Leubas/Heising, depending on the exact line chosen).
• Start logic: you will want to choose a conveniently accessible entry point (e.g., where you can easily park/arrive and close the loop neatly).

For your next implementation, it is recommended to check the loop in a map app beforehand so that path types (bike path/side road/forest) match your bike and your sense of safety.

Iller bike path, Allgäu bike path and Allgäu bike loop: possible building blocks for your planning

• Iller bike path: If you want to ride stages along the river soon, you can use sections of this bike path as an axis. Many overviews mention a total length of around 146 km (depending on definition/variant).
• Allgäu bike path: If you want to connect several places on your next trip, you can use this route as a guide for cross connections through the Allgäu.
• Allgäu bike loop: If you are planning a round trip, you can use this quality route as a framework and set daily stages so that overnight stays and train connections remain practical.

For your next multi-day planning: Set stage lengths realistically, expect weather changes in the pre-Alpine region, and secure overnight stays early if necessary.

Route ideas that you can plan in the future as "one-way with return" or as a big loop

• Oberstaufen → Kempten (or vice versa): If you want to ride a linear tour instead of a loop soon, you can plan a route between the two places and check the return by train as an option (check timetables/bike transport in advance).
• Elbsee loop (sporty): If you are looking for a more demanding day tour for the next season, you can plan a big loop towards Elbsee. Community variants often mention about 68 km and around 800 meters of elevation (depending on the route).

For such plans, it is worthwhile to check the surface and path rights in advance (especially for forest and farm roads) and to choose the route so that you minimize conflicts with busy pedestrian areas.

This is how you choose the right level for your next tour

• Easy: Plan short city loops or riverside sections if children, trailers, or beginners are involved.
• Medium: Plan an all-round loop with moderate elevation if you want to build fitness and still stay relaxed.
• Challenging: Plan steeper climbs or undulating day tours only if time, weather, equipment, and fitness are right.

Checklist for your next ride (practical & reliable)

• Bike check before departure: Brakes, tire pressure, lights (in case you might get caught in dusk), chain.
• Navigation: Make the route available offline or carry printed emergency info.
• Visibility: Bright clothing/reflectors – especially in changeable autumn or spring weather.
• Provisions: Water bottle(s), snack; for longer tours, also plan for an electrolyte/salt source.
• Consideration: On shared paths, ride defensively in the future, ring/announce early, and plan especially carefully with children.

These notes do not replace individual safety advice. If you are unsure, you will be best off starting with a guided tour or planning via official route pages.