People from cities like Cologne, Hamburg or Paris may laught at Munich locals' passion for their Isar river. It's a rather sedate creek – at least compared  to Rhine, Elbe or Seine. Yet, the Isar river is an important lifeline for the city and and the hinterland, supplying us with healthy and clean spring water and after its renaturalisation in the urban area it's all the more a leisure area for stressed out city dwellers.

But back to the roots, which are already described with a great mountainbike-Tour in this guide. Near Scharnitz, in Tyrol, the by minerals green tainted water emerges and makes its way passing Mittenwald through the Eng towards the Sylvensteinstausee. This reservoir was built from 1954-1959 in order to protect from floodings. In the midst of the lake, representing a great recreation area, the was the village Fall, which was destroyed by the floodings and which was rebuilt a few meters higher along the road to Vorderriß.

Passing Lenggries the Isar reaches Bad Tölz, not only known for the TV series "Bulle von Tölz", but a spa and backdrop for the Leonhardi-Ritt. In Wolfratshausen, a few kilometers up the river, the first larger river flows into the Isar, die Loisach, having caused some floodings around Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Wolfratshausen is starting point for the rafters, yet not anymore with goods, which were brought till the Danube back then, but with party people, who enjoy beer and brass music.

Pupplinger Au is with Flaucher and Eisbach at Englischer Garten the place to be for sun worshippers without clothes. Tolerated in silence, and this in ultra catholic Bavaria, for decades residents and Munich people have been tanning without clothes on the pebble beaches. As good as it gets and since the Isarislands alternate permanently, you will always find new spots in the cool mountain river.

Speaking of islands: The Museumsinsel and the Praterinsel as well as the Mühleninsel in Landshut were sheeted in the 19th century. What if the Deutsche Museum stood in Englischer Garten! Passing Freising and Moosburg Isar reaches Landshut, the city with the ever-returning der marriage and shortly before its water is used to cool the plants Ohu 1 und 2. Energy generation is a major task of the river, be it through water power or to cool fuel rods. 

After having passed Dingolfing and Landau, it's not far to the mouth into the Danube: Near Deggendorf it flows into the Danube which continues to the Black Sea.

The sportive activities on or along the Isar river are diverse: Canoeing or kayaking, cycling on the Isar trail from Scharnitz to Deggendorf (feasible in 6steps) or just relaxing and watching others sweat. The fourth longest river of Bavaria (295 km) calls for more interest.

by Dietmar Stanka

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