The large tour of Lake Constance by bike
At the foot of the Alps, Lake Constance, with its medieval towns, charming villages and beaches, is yours to explore by bike.
- Germany
- 12 day(s)
- Easy
- ~ 37 km/day
- Loop
Loop around Constance in 12 days
Discover Germany, Austria and Switzerland by bike from a new angle: between land and sea. Set off in short, leisurely stages to discover the city of Constance, fishing villages, frescoed medieval houses, the Rhine Falls and the Bavarian Lindau peninsula.
Enjoy breathtaking views of the lake with the Swiss Alps in the background. Lake Constance lends itself perfectly to a vacation with a change of scenery: dedicated, well-maintained and safe cycle paths, almost permanent access to the lakeshore for impromptu swimming and charming, typical villages.
Ideal for families.
Program
You arrive in Constance at the desired time. Enjoy a stroll through this beautiful city and take time to admire the Romanesque cathedral in the medieval district of Niederburg.
- 30 km
- 50 km
Leaving Konstanz and crossing the Wollmatingen marshes, you can decide whether to go north around the lower lake to the charming medieval town of Radolfzell, or take the large dike to the monastery island of Reichenau and take a boat (not included, see crossing times below) to the Höri peninsula.
From the Höri peninsula, which inspired many German artists including Hermann Hesse and Otto Dix, cycle along Lake Constance between vineyards and up the Rhine to Stein-am-Rhein. Visit the old town of Stein-am-Rhein, with its frescoed facades.
- 30 km
- 50 km
You drive towards Schaffhausen, a charming Swiss town watched over by the Munot fortress. Then set off to discover Europe's largest waterfalls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You'll spend the night in Gailingen or Stein am Rhein.
- 45 km
- 55 km
The route continues along the lake to the old town of Radolfzell, the Federal Capital of the Environment. Enjoy this town surrounded by vast nature reserves. You then head back to Constance.
- 30 km
Continue your ride through the German countryside and follow the cycle path to Mainau Island. We recommend a visit to this delightful island on the Uberlinger See, where bicycles are not permitted. The route then takes you along the lake past the towns of Litzelstetten and Dingelsdorf. You continue your day's stage through the countryside, passing through Dettingen, Kaltbrunn and Allensbach, where you return to the Gnadensee lake, which you follow as far as Radolfzell.
- 40 km
You cross the Bodanrück peninsula at Stahringen and reach Lake Constance a little further on at Bodman-Ludwigshafen. Continue along Lake Constance, passing through the charming town of Überlingen. Along the way, don't miss the charming Birnau Baroque church, so typical of the region. In Unteruhldingen, you can visit a prehistoric museum, where period huts on stilts have been reconstructed.
- 25 km
Flânez dans la ville médiévale de Meersburg et ne manquez pas son impressionnant château. Continuez à travers les vignes jusqu’à Friedrichshafen où vous pourrez visiter le musée du Zeppelin.
- 40 km
Continue along the bike path through apple orchards, then on to Langenargen and its Montfort Castle. Do not miss Lindau, and its old town located on an island. Then, reach Bregenz, very famous town know for the world's largest lake-stage festival.
- 50 km
You start the day by taking the cable car up to Mont Pfänder, enjoying the view and the wildlife park at the top. Then down the huge descent to Bregenz and on into the Rhine Delta nature reserve, up the Rhine to Altstätten. Take the train up to Gais, then continue through enchanting countryside to St. Gallen.
Vous pouvez soit restez à flâner à St. Gall et surtout découvrir la magnifique bibliothèque (pas moins de 160 000 livres) inscrite au patrimoine de l’Unesco ou en profiter pour faire une petite randonnée pédestre dans les montagnes environnantes.
- 45 km
You descend go back to Lake Constance, until you reach Arbon. You follow the shore of Lake Constance, passing through small Swiss villages and apple orchards. There are numerous bathing spots on the day's stage back to Constance.
After breakfast, take a tour of the city before heading home or extending your stay.
Accommodation
Information
Start of journey
As the first day is a non-biking day, you arrive at your own convenience, depending on your route. Please note that rooms are usually available by mid-afternoon, depending on your accommodation.
Bikes are available from the day of your arrival until 7 p.m. at the bike workshop, or you can pick them up before your first day of cycling during the workshop’s opening hours.
On request, bikes can be delivered to your first accommodation.
Getting to the starting point
- By plane: fly to Zurich, then take the train to Constance (1h)
- By train: TGV from Paris Gare de l’Est to Karlsruhe, then take a train to Constance, or TGV Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich, then take a train to Constance. Journey times vary from 5h30 to 7h. To plan your trip, visit https://www.thetrainline.com/fr
Parking
If you’re coming by car, you can park your vehicle in the fenced-in bike workshop parking lot (to be booked when reserving your trip), see fares tab. Alternatively, there are free parking spaces in the streets around the bike workshop.The location and contact details of the parking lot will be indicated in your travel documents.
- Germany
- 12 day(s)
- Easy
- ~ 37 km/day
- Loop
Tried and tested stays!
- Experience15 years' experience in cycling to advise and satisfy you
- Tested & ApprovedThe whole team goes out into the field to design the itineraries and select the best partners (accommodation, bikes, etc.).
- Quality of serviceA dedicated customer service team available and ready to listen, from the moment you book until you return from your holiday.
- Secure paymentIndividual or fractional payment by secure means via our website
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- Germany
- Easy
- ~ 37 km/day
- Loop