Overview
The borders of Germany, Austria and Switzerland invisibly converge in Europe’s third-largest lake, Constance, locally known as Bodensee, fed by the mighty Rhine. Our Lake Constance Cycle Path tour will take you to Europe’s most popular cycling route and the only place where you can wake up in Germany, cycle across to Switzerland for lunch and make it to Austria in time for afternoon tea and strudel. While riding, the eye beholds shimmering waters, a shoreline fringed with orchards and vineyards, and panoramas stretching towards the mighty Alps in the very heart of Europe. At the end, you will detour to marvel at the Rhine Falls, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
Spend а week full of pleasant cycling discovering medieval towns like Constance, Stein am Rhein, Meersburg and Lindau. Access to the lake is available almost everywhere so there will be numerous opportunities to refresh yourself with a dip in the water. Visit ancient castles and museums in tidy towns, bike through rolling orchards and vineyards, relax in friendly beer gardens and wine bars.
- Europe’s biggest plain waterfall Rhine Falls
- Lake Constance – Central Europe’s third-largest lake
- The quaint medieval town of Schaffhausen
- Meadows, vineyards, orchards, wetlands, beaches and Alpine foothills
- Baroque churches, Benedictine abbeys, Stone Age dwellings, Roman forts, and medieval castles
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Constance
Welcome to Constance. The largest town on the lake became famous during the Great Schism in 1414 when Europe’s top clergy convened in neutral territory to elect a ‘legitimate’ pope. The original council building still stands and watches over one of Germany’s most controversial statues – a buxom courtesan seen by many as a nod to feminine power. Thanks to the city’s close border with Switzerland, the historic centre is intact and a great place to explore near the cathedral. The two islands of Reichenau and Mainau are easily reached by bike.
- Accommodation: Ko´Ono Hotel or similar (optional upgrade to Hotel Halm or similar)
Day 2: Constance to Ludwigshafen/Überlingen | 33-55km
You cycle along the Gnadensee to the former Imperial town of Radolfzell, now a spa resort. From here, you cross the “Bodanrück” range of hills and encounter a very short incline. Arriving at the so-called Überlinger See, part of Lake Constance, you are rewarded for your efforts with beautiful views of the lake. In the evening enjoy a stroll along Überlingen’s pretty promenade.
- Accommodation: Hotel Zum Römer or similar (optional upgrade to Parkhotel St. Leonhard or similar)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 33-55km
Day 3: Ludwigshafen/Überlingen to Friedrichshafen | 35km
From Überlingen, you cycle through vineyards to Friedrichshafen. On the way, you will pass the Baroque pilgrimage church of Birnau. In Meersburg, take a break to wander around the old town and its castle. In Friedrichshafen, we can recommend a visit to the Zeppelin museum.
- Accommodation: Gasthof Rebstock or similar (optional upgrade to Hotel City Krone or similar)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 35km
Day 4: Friedrichshafen to Lindau/Bregenz | 25-35km
Cycle through extensive orchards, through Langenargen with its pretty Montfort Castle. You soon arrive in the Bavarian town of Lindau, whose harbour is watched over by a 6-metre high lion. The entire old town lies on an island.
- Accommodation: Gasthof Zecher or similar (optional upgrade to Hotel Messmer or similar)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 25-35km
Day 5: Lindau/Bregenz to Rorschach/Arbon | 45-50km
Today you cycle through Bregenz, the capital of the Vorarlberg region of Austria and Romanshorn, which is home to Switzerland’s largest harbour on Lake Constance. This stretch is flat and easy to cycle. You finally reach Höchst where you cross the border again and then, after pedalling for a few kilometres, reach Rorschach, where the beautiful lake promenade stretches along the length of the city.
- Accommodation: Frohsinn or similar (optional upgrade to Römerhof Arbon or similar)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 45-50km
Day 6: Rorschach to Constance | 30-50km
Continue along the banks of the lake to Constance, on another easy and flat path. There are plenty of opportunities to stop for a swim and refresh yourself in the cool waters of the lake.
- Accommodation: Ko´Ono Hotel or similar (optional upgrade to Hotel Halm or similar)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 30-50km
Day 7: Constance to Schaffhausen | 50km
Following the side of Lake Constance, you pedal to Stein am Rhein with its frescoed, medieval houses. Switching several times between Germany and Switzerland you reach the canton’s capital, Schaffhausen. The town, whose citizens competed with each other in building gables on their houses, is overlooked by Munot fort. Every year, more than two million visitors make the pilgrimage to Schaffhausen to see the roaring waters of the Rhine. That is why Schaffhausen is also called the “City of the Rhine Falls”.
- Accommodation: Sorell Hotel Rüden or similar (optional upgrade to Hotel Kronenhof or similar)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 50km
Day 8: Schaffhausen – Rhine Falls | 55-65km
After breakfast, cycle the short distance to the Rhine Falls, one of Europe’s biggest waterfalls. To stand high above Europe’s most powerful waterfall, feeling the roar and vibration of the water over one’s entire body – this could be once in a lifetime experience. Cycling up the Rhine you go back to Stein am Rhein and then follow the Höri semi-peninsula. At Gaienhofen you board the ferry (included) which takes you to the island of Reichenau. From there it’s only a few kilometres back to Constance.
Pick up your luggage in the early evening and depart individually. Optional extra night in Constance.
- Cycling for the day: approx. 55km + boat trip
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in en-suite double rooms in typical Inns and B&Bs, which are normally of a 3-star standard. We can optionally upgrade them to the best in town 3 or 4-star hotels. All places have been carefully hand-picked by us, and their quality is regularly monitored. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour. Please note that, in Germany, it is common practice for hotels and other accommodations to join twin beds together to make a double, with separate linen for each person. If you prefer to opt for twin beds, we will happily request this at time of booking, however they can’t always be guaranteed.
Click to view default hotels
Click to view upgraded hotels
Note that hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel from the ones listed above is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Accommodation is on a bed & breakfast basis. When no restaurant location is available on route lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or you can pre-order a packed lunch at your hotel. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or restaurants in the village near your hotel.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for cyclists with some experience and requires an average level of fitness; average cycling distance per day is approximately 50-60km, and the cycling is mostly on dedicated bike lanes with no steep ascents or descents (read more about difficulty grades). If you rent an e-bike, this trip is practically accessible to everyone. The cycling trail is very well way-marked.
We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. There will often be other cyclists around just in case if you are looking for advice or help. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from March to October. Daily arrival is possible between May and September. Between March and April, and in October, arrival is only possible on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The best time to visit Lake Constance is between June and August, when there are pleasant temperatures for cycling and little rainfall. The average water temperature of the lake is approximately 23C in summer, dropping to approximately 17C in September and October. For more information, see our blogs on the Best time to go to Switzerland, Best time to go to Austria and Best time to go to Germany.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice on Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this holiday are Zurich (ZRH), Friedrichshafen (FDH) and Stuttgart (STR).
By train or bus
- It takes an average of an hour and a half to travel from Zurich Airport to Constance by train, over a distance of around 32 miles (52km). There are normally 55 trains per day and tickets for this journey start from €25.20 when booked in advance.
- For up-to-date train schedules visit DB or use the Omio planner above.
- There are public car parks (Fischmarkt, Dammgasse, Lago, Altstadt, Benedikti nerplatz) for approx. 10-20 EUR per day. Free parking on public roads is also available. You can also book car parking in advance for the duration of the tour.
- Train from the UK: Take the Eurostar from London St-Pancras International to Paris (Gard du Nord). Change and travel to Paris-East, from here there are direct trains to Offenburg where you should change to Constance. Total journey time is about 8.5h.
- Drive from the UK: Take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais (approx. 35min) and then drive to Strasbourg or Zurich and on to Constance (approx. 9h).
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnight stays in private en-suite rooms as described in the itinerary
- 7 breakfasts
- Boat trip Gaienhofen – Reichenau incl. bike
- Boat trip to the Rhine Falls rock
- Entrance fee to Rosgarten museum Constance incl. 1 cup of coffee
- Luggage transfer on all cycling days (no limit on the number of pieces per person, max 20kg)
- Detailed pre-departure holiday information pack (including cycle descriptions and maps 1x per room)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Helmets – there is no possibility of renting a helmet so it is recommended to bring your own or purchase one locally
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
- Hotel upgrade to the best in town 3 and 4-star hotels
- Bike rental (standard hybrid bike or e-bike)
Bike rental
We offer rental of standard trekking bikes, perfectly suitable for the routes of the trip, and e-bikes for those who would like to take it easy. All rental bikes are equipped with a pannier, handlebar bag, mileometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit, and one repair set per booking included in the bags.
