Rafting on the ISAR:
Rustic, Bavarian and always an experience
From May 1st to mid-September, it's time again: Get on the rafts! A very special experience awaits all Munich locals and tourists. The raft trips! They are manoeuvred by raft masters who skillfully steer the rafts and also master the raft slides with ease. The tours start in Wolfratshausen, lead (mostly) at a comfortable pace past the Waldgasthof Buchenhain, and end in the Central Land in Thalkirchen.
EXPERIENCE MUNICH ON THE ISAR
The raft trip on the Isar is a centuries-old TraditionIn the past, rafting was used for the transport of goods and passengers, as well as for timber rafting, and was thus an important means of transporting goods from point A to point B. These journeys would take them to the cities of Munich or Landshut, or even down the Isar River to the mouth of the Isar in Deggendorf and further to Vienna or Budapest. Even though this type of goods transport is no longer necessary due to the expansion of modern means of transport, the passenger raft trip remains a popular experience to this day and has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage since 2020.
Today, a raft trip in the Isar Valley is traditionally Bavarian. Lively music, hearty snacks, beer from a wooden barrel, grilled sausages, and much more are provided by the raft trip providers or brought by the passengers themselves. The Waldgasthof Buchenhain with the Buchenhain beer garden is located directly on the rafting route and is therefore a perfect stop after a wonderful day on the Isar!
EUROPE'S LONGEST RAFT SLIDE
Part of the ride is Europe’s longest raft slide. Boat Lane in Mühltal near Straßlach, which serves to bridge the difference between the upper and lower waters during the drop. The 345-meter slide accelerates the raft, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 42 km/h! Not for the water-shy, as passengers may get a little wet on the descent. Another highlight along the route is the Georgenstein near Baierbrunn. In the past, the rock was an obstacle to the transport of goods by raft – today, the 5-meter-high rock is an impressive geotope.
After an eventful day in nature, all that is missing is a stop at the Beer Garden Munich South at the Waldgasthof Buchenhain! Here you can recharge with delicious food and drinks, reflect on the past, and relax.
