⚠️ DISCLAIMER: Swimming, tubing, and floating is officially FORBIDDEN in all Munich waterways! Including the Schwabinger Bach described here. The city of Munich takes no accountability for anything that happens to you. And of course, neither do I! If you choose to do this, you do it entirely at your own risk. Don’t be stupid. Be aware of your surroundings, respect the water, and know your limits.
The Schwabinger Bach is one of Munich’s best-kept summer secrets. While tourists crowd around the famous Eisbach wave, locals grab an inflatable tube and drift north through the Englischer Garten on this calmer, warmer stream. The current is strong enough to carry you without paddling, but gentle enough to just lean back and enjoy the ride. The whole float takes roughly 60 minutes and passes through beautiful stretches of parkland, under bridges, and through one slightly adventurous tunnel section.
The Route
The float takes you about 4 km northward through the Englischer Garten, from near the university district up to the Studentenstadt area.
Entry Point: U-Bahn “Universität”
Coordinates: 48°08’59.3″N, 11°35’15.7″E
Take the U-Bahn to Universität station and walk into the Englischer Garten. You’ll find easy access to the Schwabinger Bach here, the water is shallow and the banks are accessible. Inflate your tube, get in, and let the current do the work.
The Weir: One Obstacle Along the Way
About halfway through your float, you’ll encounter a weir (a small dam/waterfall) that you cannot float over.
Weir location: 48°09’46.0″N, 11°35’51.0″E
How you’ll know it’s coming
Right before the weir, you’ll pass through a concrete tunnel. When you see this tunnel, get ready, the weir is right at the end of it. IMPORTANT: TAKE THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TUNNEL. IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO PASS THE WEIR
How to cross it
Simple: get out of the water, pick up your tube, walk it over the weir, and get back in on the other side. The drop is not huge but you absolutely do not want to go over it while sitting in your inflatable.
After the weir, hop back in and enjoy the second half of the float. The scenery here is gorgeous, long stretches of green banks and overhanging trees.
Exit Point: U-Bahn “Studentenstadt”
Coordinates: 48°10’48.9″N, 11°36’49.9″E
When you reach this area, get out on the left bank. Follow the arrow, pull yourself and your tube out of the water here. From this spot it’s a short walk to the Studentenstadt U-Bahn station to ride back into the city.
⛔ DANGER: Do NOT Continue Past the Exit Point
If you miss the exit or decide to keep floating, you are heading into genuinely dangerous territory:
- The Schwabinger Bach ends shortly after the exit point: a water treatment facility blocks the way. There is nowhere good to go.
- It is very easy to accidentally drift into the Garching Mühlbach, a side channel that branches off in this area.
- The Garching Mühlbach has electrical rotary hydropower turbines directly IN the water. These can kill you.
- The Garching Mühlbach also feeds into the water treatment facility. You do not want to end up there.
Do yourself a favor: get out where we told you, walk to Studentenstadt U-Bahn, and go home alive.
What to Bring
- Inflatable boat or air mattres & air pump
- Wet bag (if you have one, keeps your phone & wallet dry)
- Enough drinking water (no glass bottles!)
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
- Cap, Swimwear & Towel
Stay safe, respect nature, and leave no trash behind.
The Photos for this Article are taken from the above YouTube Video with all Faces being blurred.