Gentle cycling vacation around Lake Constance

Constance is always worth a visit. An entertaining walk to the greatest sights is possible without much effort, because the distances in the council city are short. Frescoes, murals, historic city towers and whimsical sculptures can be discovered at every turn. Take a stroll through the oldest part of town, Niederburg, on your cycling vacation around Lake Constance. Sit down in a cosy wine tavern and soak up the homely atmosphere. If you feel like a swim after your journey, you can refresh yourself in the Swabian Sea, as Lake Constance is also called. A climb up the tower of the cathedral is also recommended.

You cross the border and cycle on the Swiss side of the Lower Lake towards Stein am Rhein. Look forward to one of the most beautiful stretches of your Lake Constance cycling vacation right at the start. Enjoy the gentle lake breeze or take the opportunity for a refreshing swim. You will pass small villages such as Eschenz and Steckborn and find a place of tranquillity on the small Island of Werd, which can be reached via a 200-metre-long wooden footbridge. Soon you reach your overnight stop in Gailingen or Stein am Rhein. A great view over the town and the surrounding area is provided by the ascent to Hohenklingen Castle.

You cycle to the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen. Over a width of 150 metres, masses of water tumble down over the rocks to the valley. The boat trip to the Rhine Falls Rock (included) brings you almost right into the middle of the action. Visit Laufen Castle, which has towered over the Rhine Falls for more than 1000 years. Here you can fortify yourself before heading back to Diessenhofen, Gailingen or Stein am Rhein by boat (included). The latter enchants its visitors with an enclosed historic old town. Wherever you look, you will see oriels, gables and facade paintings.

Today you will get to know the Höri Peninsula and in Gaienhofen you will have the opportunity to admire an original sculpture by the Bodman artist Peter Lenk. In the district of Hemmenhofen you can visit the Otto Dix House, where all kinds of paintings and documents from his life are exhibited. The town of Radolfzell has grown from a small fishing and wine-growing settlement to a place of pilgrimage known throughout Southern Germany. How about a visit to the highest church tower on Lake Constance or a walk through the famous nature reserve, over which the lookout tower offers a beautiful view?

The Bodanrück makes for a lively up and down today. You pass Bodman-Ludwigshafen and Sipplingen. The town is beautifully nestled between Lake Constance and the spectacular landscape of steep banks. From here you can take wonderful walks to castle ruins, gorges or flowering orchards. Take the time to do so. Rent a SUP or a canoe and see the beautiful surroundings from a different perspective. In Überlingen, a walk along the longest lakeside promenade on Lake Constance and a few hours in the thermal baths are ideal.

Your cycling vacation around Lake Constance takes you along the Upper Lake today. An absolute must is a visit to the Pilgrimage Church of Birnau. From there you not only have a fantastic view over Lake Constance. The baroque church with seven altars is surrounded by lush vineyards and is an important destination for pilgrims. The Pile Dwelling Museum in Unteruhldingen offers hands-on history in 23 reconstructed houses. It's a good thing the stage isn't too long, because you should still make time for Germany's oldest inhabited castle, Meersburg. Those interested in technology will get their money's worth at the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen.

On this stage of your cycling vacation around Lake Constance, you cycle through Eriskircher Ried nature reserve and arrive at Montfort Castle. It was built in 1866 in Moorish style and is the landmark of Langenargen. Always with the Alps in view, you cycle through magnificent apple orchards via Nonnenhorn and Wasserburg to the island town of Lindau. The old town lies on an almost 70-hectare island in the middle of Lake Constance. Behind the harbour entrance with its Bavarian lion and white lighthouse, the impressive Lake Constance panorama opens up. If you stay overnight in the festival town of Bregenz, cycle along the shore of Lake Constance across the German-Austrian border.

Take the opportunity and ride the cable car up to the local mountain Pfänder. On a clear day, you have a great view of Lake Constance and around 200 Alpine peaks. Back on the bike saddle, you cross the Bregenzer Ach and the Alpine Rhine at Hard. You are now back in Switzerland. Between the rolling hills of the Appenzell region and Lake Constance lies the harbour town of Rorschach, which has a beautiful lakeside promenade. In Arbon you can visit the castle museum. The modern permanent exhibition takes you on an exciting journey through 5500 years of settlement history on Lake Constance.

The last few kilometres to Constance take you through the Swiss canton of Thurgau. On the flat cycle path you mostly cycle directly along the lakeshore. You pass pretty Swiss villages and soon reach Constance. Enjoy the charm of this delightful town and let yourself drift through the old town. If you still have time, we recommend a visit to the Island of Reichenau. Visit the Romanesque churches, enjoy a fish sandwich and the relaxed atmosphere on the vegetable island.

Your cycling vacation around Lake Constance ends after breakfast. We are happy to extend your stay in Constance, Radolfzell, Lindau or Bregenz with an extra night.