8 Days & 7 Nights

4.4

Lake Constance Cycle Path: The Classic Way

Visit Switzerland's world-famous Rhine Falls
Easy-going cycling through Austria, Germany and Switzerland
The 'Bavarian Riveria', with its magnificent castles and enchanting gardens
Medieval towns of Stein am Rhein, Constance & Überlingen
Enjoy lakeside beaches & Alpine mountain views

Cycle one of Europe's most popular cycle paths through Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Follow a flat easy going route around the sparkling shores of Bodensee, also known as Lake Constance. Peppered with fairy tale villages, medieval towns and inviting lakeside beaches, relax and soak up the far reaching Alpine views. From the charming town of Constance, explore the 13th century healing spa town of Überlingen. Cycle the northern shores and take a trip to Lindau's old town island, before passing through the Austrian shoreline of Bregenz. Cross into the Swiss town of Stein am Rhein, where it's worth sampling a Swiss chocolate bar or two! Round off your riding with a visit to Europe’s largest falls, the thunderous Rhine Falls.

From £1,245.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Constance

Your cycling trip will begin in Constance, the largest town on Lake Constance and the town which gave the lake its name. It is a thriving university town and the unofficial capital of the region. You can spend the afternoon exploring the maze of little alleyways and squares or relax at its Mediterranean style harbour.

Overnight Konstanz

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Halm | 4 Star | Hotel

Stay at Hotel Halm, along the shores of the beautiful Lake Constance landscape with its rich culture. Built in 1874 stay in one of the town's most historic hotels. Today, history and modernity are combined in the Hotel Halm with its comfortable rooms, suites and the historic Hall - the heart of the hotel.

Hotel Alte Post | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel Alte Post is located near the landscape of Lake Constance and the lake can be reached on foot in a few minutes. The hotel is a place to enjoy the culture of the city of Constance and is in the middle of the old town of Konstanz, surrounded by restaurants, cafes and shops.

Day 2 Cycle to Uberlingen 28 miles / 45 km

Your first day’s cycling takes you along the shore line and via the north west corner of Lake Constance to the waterside town of Uberlingen. The gothic style cathedral and beautiful lakeside promenade are perfect for exploring foot before settling into a local bar for a picturesque evening drinks.

Total ascent/descent: 123m/123m

Overnight Uberlingen

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Parkhotel St. Leonhard

The hotel is situated northeast of the historic district of Überlingen on the premises of a 70-hectare park close to Lake Constance. The view from the terrace will impress you.

Day 3 Cycle to Kressbronn region 35 miles / 56 km

The route leads you to the baroque pilgrim church of Birnau, the reconstructed lake dwellings in Uhldingen and then onto Meersburg with its ancient Merovingian castle. Continue through the wine growing villages of Immenstaad and Hagnau, where in 1881 the German winegrower’s association was founded. Cycle on to the town of Friedrichshafen; here you will find the world's largest collection of aviation exhibitions at the Zeppelin Museum—well worth a visit!

Total ascent/descent: 44m/65m

Overnight Lindau

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Vis A Vis | 3 Star | Hotel

Nestled close to the heart of Lindau, Hotel Vis à vis offers an ideal location just a stroll away from the iconic Lindau Lighthouse and the historic Old Town Hall. Evenings at the Hotel Vis à vis are marked by complimentary access to the spa facilities, offering a perfect way to unwind.

Hotel Lindauer Hof | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel Lindauer Hof is located on the island of Lindau on Lake Constance, and is a 2-minute walk from Lindau Harbour. Rooms at the hotel offer ammenities such as satelite TV, a desk and complimentary toiletries alongside a private en-suite bathroom. In their bright restaurant you can enjoy the terrace on the waterfront, offering regional fish dishes and wines from the region.

Day 4 Cycle to Hochst / Rorschach Region 25 miles / 40 km

Today you will cycle through sprawling orchards and vineyards towards the Bavarian town of Lindau, whose old town is a protected site and located on an island! After a few kilometres more you’ll cross the border into the Austrian town of Bregenz. If time permits you can take the cable car up Pfander mountain, (1,050m), for a fantastic vista of your entire route - a real achievement!

Total ascent/descent: 26m/15m

Overnight Rorschach

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Mozart | Hotel

Stay on the shore of Lake Constance, in Hotel Mozart. It features a Viennese restaurant where you can sample Viennese Schnitzels and fresh fish from the lake, or some sweet Viennese specialities like Crêpe Sissy, Kaiserschmarren and Marillenschmaus.

Day 5 Cycle to Constance 23 miles / 37 km

Today cycle through the Swiss canton of Thurgau, a well-known apple growing region. You can admire the small, neat villages and typical half-timbered houses as you cycle along the lakeshore back into the Mediterranean style harbour of Constance.

Total ascent/descent: 13m/9m

Overnight Konstanz

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Halm | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel Alte Post | 4 Star | Hotel

Day 6 Cycle to Schaffhausen 30 miles / 48 km

A day pedalling the historic fishing villages of Lake Constance as you make your way to the Swiss town of Stein am Rhein. Boasting a picturesque old town decorated by numerous well preserved fresco paintings Stein am Rhein is also a great town to sample Swiss chocolate before finishing your day further down the lake at Schaffhausen.

Total ascent/descent: 54m/59m

Overnight Schaffhausen

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Kronenhof | 3 Star | Hotel

Situated in the heart of the historic district, the hotel dates back to the 15th century. Renovated in the 1990's it features characterful rooms and has an inhouse restaurant.

Vienna House zur Bleiche | 4 Star | Hotel

A 3-minute walk from Schaffhausen train station, this laid-back hotel is 1 km both from hilltop Munot fortress and from the Museum zu Allerheiligen. There's a casual bar/restaurant with a terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows. Other amenities include a sauna, a hot tub and a fitness center.

Day 7 Cycle to Rhine Falls & Return to Constance 34.5 miles / 55 km

Ride to Europe’s largest waterfalls, Rhine Falls. From here, cycle back along the Hori to the Swiss town of Stein am Rhein, with its picturesque old town. A must-see, with well preserve fresco’s decorating the town walls. Finish the day with the boat to Reichenau Islanden-route to Constance town.

Total ascent/descent: 476m/205m

Overnight Konstanz

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Halm | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel Alte Post | 4 Star | Hotel

Day 8 Onward travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 15kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 15kg is equivalent to 4.5 cheeseburgers. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

Cycle through Germany, Austria and Switzerland on one of Europe’s most popular easy-going cycle paths. This near-free traffic route is predominately flat, cycling along the shores of Lake Constance. It's perfect for first-time or seasoned leisure cyclists looking to experience medieval towns and lakeside beaches, fuelled by regional culinary delights.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Short Break

E-Bike

Grade & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded easy to moderate. The grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some rides may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. The first stage in the areas around Hörli is moderately hilly, otherwise the route is mainly flat along dedicated tarred cycle paths and is very well signposted all the way around.

Experience & Fitness

This cycling tour is perfect for occasional riders seeking to discover a region from the saddle, and comfortable riding up to 45km each day over a few consecutive days. Shorter daily mileages allow time to stop and take in the scenery, stop for a long lunch before arriving at your destination. The length of the daily rides varies between 30-55 km and the difference in daily elevation gain/loss lies between +13m/+476m and -9m/-205m.

Accommodation & Meals What's Included

Included

7 Nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
7 Breakfasts
Entrance to Rosgarten museum (with a coffee)
Baggage transfers
Boat trip to Rhine Falls
Detailed information pack and maps
24/7 telephone support from our UK office and local partners

Excluded

Travel to / from Constance
Bike hire
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)
Bike helmet

Extras

Additional nights at the beginning or end of your trip
Bike hire

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

Equipment

You can rent comfortable unisex bikes with deep step-through frames, optionally with a 24-gear derailleur and rim brakes or 7 speed hub gears and back-pedal brakes. You can bring your own saddle if you wish. Hybrid, E bikes and tandem bikes can be rented, subject to availability.

All bikes come equipped with panniers, handlebar bag, adometer, bicycle lock, mini pump and puncture repair kit.

Please note that bike hire does not include a water bottle or helmet, you must bring your own.

If you would prefer to take your own bike, do let us know at the time of booking.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Bike that you have suitable Travel Insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.