· By Eisbach Riders
Family SUP Day Trips on the Isar: Kid-Friendly Stretches South of Munich
You've packed the dry bags, slathered on the sunscreen, and talked the kids into leaving their screens behind. Now you're standing at the water's edge somewhere south of Munich, watching the Isar glide past in that unmistakable glacial turquoise — and you realise this might be the best decision you've made all summer. Paddling the Isar with children is genuinely doable, genuinely fun, and genuinely one of Bavaria's great outdoor days out. You just need to pick the right stretch.
Why the Isar Works So Well for Family SUP
The Isar south of Munich has been carefully managed since major flood restoration work in the 1990s and 2000s. Wide gravel banks provide natural landing spots every few hundred metres — perfect for snack breaks, paddling at the shoreline, or waiting out a toddler meltdown. The current is gentle on the calmer sections, the water is crystal clear (and cold enough to be refreshing without being dangerous in summer), and the Alpine backdrop makes every photo look like a tourism poster. On a warm August morning you'll share the river with swimmers, cyclists on the flanking paths, and the occasional fly-fisher — a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that's reassuring for first-timers.
Best Kid-Friendly Stretches
Wolfratshausen to Icking (~7 km)
This is the gold standard for families. The paddle starts at the well-signed put-in near the Wolfratshausen canoe launch (Flößerstraße area) and follows a beautifully wide, braided channel downstream. The current is consistent but not pushy — roughly 2–3 km/h on a normal summer flow — so even an eight-year-old paddling their own board can keep pace without exhaustion. Gravel islands appear constantly, and the shaded bank paths mean you can have a support walker running alongside younger children on SUPs. Take out at Icking bridge for an easy return by foot or S-Bahn (S3 line).
Icking to Schäftlarn (~5 km)
A slightly shorter option that threads between wooded hills. The access point at Icking is straightforward — park at the riverside car park off Isartalstraße, carry boards about 80 m to the water. The stretch passes the Kloster Schäftlarn monastery, visible on the hillside above the right bank — a genuine talking point for curious kids. There are several flat gravel bars ideal for a picnic lunch. Finish at the small take-out below Schäftlarn bridge and reward the crew with Schäftlarn Klosterbräu beer (for adults) and Radler or Limo at the monastery beer garden directly above the river.
Geretsried (Loisach Confluence) to Wolfratshausen (~4 km)
The shortest and most relaxed option on this list. Put in just below the Loisach confluence near Geretsried-Stein and float downstream to Wolfratshausen. The flow here is almost lake-like on calm days, making it excellent for children who are new to stand-up paddling. Wide shingle beaches invite spontaneous stops. The S-Bahn (S3 to Wolfratshausen) returns you to the start in around 10 minutes.
Access Points and Parking
- Wolfratshausen Launch: Flößerstraße, near the old raft-landing. Free parking nearby. Easy gravel slope into the water.
- Icking: Isartalstraße riverside car park (pay-and-display). Short carry, suitable even with an inflatable SUP in a backpack.
- Schäftlarn: Small pull-off on the road to the monastery. Carry is steep but short (about 120 m down to the river).
- Geretsried-Stein: Unsigned but used local put-in on the south side of the Loisach bridge. Street parking along the main road.
Nearby Playgrounds and Restaurants
One of the practical beauties of these stretches is that civilisation is never far away.
- Wolfratshausen Altstadt: The old town has a waterside playground right on the Loisach confluence, a family-friendly Biergarten (Gasthof zur Isar), and multiple ice cream shops along Hauptstraße. Excellent post-paddle base.
- Kloster Schäftlarn beer garden: A Bavarian institution. Children's meals available, large lawn, benches under chestnut trees. Open daily in summer. No reservation needed.
- Icking village: Small but has a bakery and the Café am See (a 10-minute walk from the river) with a playground adjacent. Low-key and unhurried.
- Geretsried: The town centre is a 2 km walk or cycle from the river but has full supermarket and café facilities for stocking up pre-paddle.
Safety Tips for Kids on the Water
The Isar is not the sea, but it deserves respect. A few non-negotiables:
- PFDs for every child, every time. No exceptions. Children under 12 should wear a properly fitted buoyancy aid from the moment they step onto a board. Adults should carry one even if they choose not to wear it.
- Leash up. Attach your child's board leash before launching, and keep it attached on flowing water. A runaway board on a river is harder to retrieve than on a lake.
- Check flow levels before you go. The Bavarian Environment Agency (LfU) publishes real-time gauge data at hnd.bayern.de. For these stretches, aim for gauge readings at Wolfratshausen below 80 cm. Above that, the current becomes fast and unpredictable.
- Cold water shock. The Isar runs off glacier and snowmelt. In early summer the water can be 10–12 °C even when the air is warm. Wetsuits or rash guards are recommended for younger children who are more likely to end up in the water.
- Stay river-right at weirs. There are two small weirs on the Wolfratshausen–Icking stretch. Both have marked portage paths on the right bank — short, easy carries. Never attempt to SUP over a weir with children on board.
- Sun and wind: The open river valley funnels afternoon wind from the south. Start before 10 am and aim to be off the water by 2 pm to avoid headwinds and peak UV.
Choosing the Right Fin for River SUP
The gravel bottom of the Isar is beautiful — and unforgiving on rigid fins. Shallow gravel sections at access points and mid-river bars mean you'll be dragging boards at some point. For family river paddling, a flexible fin that survives light groundings without snapping is the smart choice. If you're on a standard lake SUP with a US Box or Quick-Lock system, upgrading your fin before the trip makes a real difference.
What to Pack for a Family Isar SUP Day
- Inflatable SUPs (one per adult, one for older children to share or solo) plus a good pump or electric pump — you'll be grateful for the latter
- PFDs for all children, leashes for all boards
- Dry bags for phones, snacks, and a change of clothes per child — they will end up in the water
- Water shoes for navigating gravel banks at put-in and take-out
- Sunscreen, a sun hat, and a long-sleeved rash guard for kids with fair skin
- Snacks for every 30 minutes of paddling (approximate parental requirement)
- Public transport option: the S3 from Munich Hauptbahnhof runs directly to Wolfratshausen — load boards and gear into the last car, no bike reservation needed for inflatables in bags
Go Do It
The window for ideal Isar family paddling is June through early September, when the days are long, the gravel banks are fully exposed, and the water temperature is bearable. Pick a Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid weekend crowds. Pack light, start early, and let the turquoise water do the rest. The Isar rewards families who show up — every time.
Browse the full SUP fin collection to find the right fin for your board before your first family paddle.