An iconic Bavarian wall above Lake Tegernsee, the Wallberg impresses with its deceptive brevity: just four kilometers are enough to make any cyclist suffer on this toll road that has become a local rite of passage.
The route
From Rottach-Egern, on the shore of Lake Tegernsee, the road climbs for 4 km to the upper cable-car station at 1,117 m, gaining around 390 m at an average close to 10%, with sections exceeding 20% on the steepest switchbacks. The narrow, winding toll road rises quickly above the Tegernsee valley.
How to approach the ride
Don’t let the short distance fool you: the gradient leaves almost no letup across the full four kilometers. A very compact gear ratio is strongly recommended to get through the steepest switchbacks without stalling out.
When to go
May to October: the road, closed overnight year-round (10pm to 6am), becomes rideable as soon as the snow clears in spring, with the best conditions in summer and early autumn.
Good to know
The summit offers a clear view over Lake Tegernsee and the surrounding Bavarian Alps, also reachable by cable car for hikers. Rottach-Egern, at the foot of the climb, is a popular lakeside resort town with plenty of cafés for refueling before or after the ascent.
