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Golfing has become a popular sport in Munich and the surrounding area. Golf lovers can choose from among more than 40 golf courses that are located in the vicinity of the Bavarian capital.

There are many beautiful hiking trails in and around Munich that make for easy walking (see Walks & Cycling Tours). If you prefer a more extreme challenge, take a trip to the nearby Alps for mountain hiking. For information on hiking routes, contact the Deutscher Alpenverein (German Alp Association).

Departing from the Deutsches Museum, walk south upriver along the right bank of the Isar. At the halfway mark, it’s worthwhile taking a short detour to see the rose garden (see River Meadows along the Isar (Isarauen) and Rose Garden). This walk goes all the way to the meadows in Thalkirchen, where you can also stop to visit the Tierpark Hellabrunn, a zoo.

Starting at the S-Bahn (S6) station in Tutzing, the trail to the Ilkahöhe is clearly marked by white triangles and climbs up a total elevation of some 150 m (500 ft), in part on narrow forest paths. The view from the top of the hill is magnificent. On clear days, you can see the entire chain of the Bavarian Alps.

In the 17th century, the Hofgarten was laid out on the north side of the Residenz in the style of Renaissance gardens. It is bounded on two sides by long arcades. Rows of mature linden, chestnut, and maple trees provide welcome shade for boule players in summer. Tango aficionados meet at the Temple of Diana – a polygonal pavilion with a shallow dome – for dances on mild summer evenings.

Stretching between the Neues Schloss in Schleißheim and Schloss Lustheim, this is one of the few gardens from the Baroque era that has retained most of its original form. Enrico Zuccalli (1642–1724) created the basic layout with canals in 1684. Domenique Girard added parterres and a cascade from 1715 onward, creating the tremendous illusion of depth that characterizes the principal axis. The cascade, located in front of the Neues Schloss, was renovated in 1999.

Located near Garmisch at Grainach, this gorge is entirely different in character to Partnachklamm. The Hammersbach stream tumbles through a one-km- (half-mile-) long gorge down into the valley. Challenging hiking paths lead through lit tunnels. Hiking boots and surefootedness are absolutely essential for an excursion in this gorge.

Held throughout the year at the racecourse in Munich Daglfing.

The Englischer Garten is a fine place for inline skating, as are the specially marked paths in Olympiapark. For those who prefer a group dynamic, Munich’s Blade Nights, held on selected city streets every Monday night from May to September – weather permitting – are a fun option.

Munich boasts many small and large parks (see Gardens & Parks) that are perfect for jogging. The most beautiful paths are to be found in the Englischer Garten and along the banks of the Isar. If you don’t like to jog on your own, Road-Runners, a local organization, will put you in touch with a group of runners at your level.