Last chance availability on popular trips: Browse here

 

Lake Constance Cycle Path: The Classic Way

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.4 Read 22 reviews
  • Ride Europe's most popular cycle path
  • Easy going cycling through Austria, Germany and Switzerland
  • Visit the 'Bavarian Riveria'
  • Medieval towns of Stein am Rhein, Constance & Überlingen
  • Lakeside beaches & Alpine mountain views
Cycle the most popular route in Europe, following a flat easy going, dedicated cycle path around the sparkling shores of Bodensee, also known as Lake Constance. Straddling Austria, Switzerland and Germany Lake Constance is peppered with fairy tale villages, medieval towns and inviting lakeside beaches to soak up far reaching Alpine views. From the charming town of Constance ride near free traffic roads and 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.
Cycling through Germany, Austria and Switzerland made easy! Following Europe’s most popular cycle path, this near-free traffic route is predominately flat with an occasional hill here and there. Cycling along the shores of Lake Constance is perfect for first-time or seasoned leisure cyclists looking to experience medieval towns, lakeside beaches fuelled by regional culinary delights.

Tour 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

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Short Break

Activity Level & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded easy to moderate. The first stage in the areas around Hörli is moderately hilly, otherwise the route is mainly even along tarred cycle paths and is very well signposted all the way around. 

Navigation

The route is well signposted and waymarked and your info pack along with maps will suffice for directions to each destination. There will often be other cyclists around just in case if you are looking for help. A detailed information pack including route notes, local information and maps will be included in the trip.

Accommodations

The accommodation on this cycling trip consists of small charming, often family-run 3* and 4* hotels. Many are renowned for their excellent cuisine and all offer a warm welcome to cyclists, traditional hospitality and an authentic experience. The differing distances each day reflect the fact that the accommodations are located in different areas within a certain region/town area each night. We work with a number of accommodations along the cycle path, so all distances are an approximation of the recommended routes and all accommodations listed are examples of some of the hotels we work with.

Single Rooms & Solo Cyclists

Single rooms are available subject to a supplementary payment. This trip is also available to solo cyclists and is perfect as the route is popular so there are plenty of people to chat with every day.

Included
  • 7 Nights in 3* hotels
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • Entrance to Rosgartenmuseum
  • 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 and from Constance
  • Dinners and lunches
  • Drinks and snacks
  • Personal Equipment
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Bike helmet
Extras
  • Additional nights at the beginning or end of your trip
  • Bike hire
  • Airport transfers or travel with Deutsche Bahn

When To Go

This trip is available to start on any day from late April to early October. 

Getting to the Start

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.

By Air

Zurich is the closest large airport and direct flights from the UK are available with Easyjet, British Airways or Swiss. Constance is an easy approx. 1hr direct train journey from Zurich Airport (see www.bahn.co.uk). Alternatively, you can fly into Friedrichshafen and take a 40 mins ferry across the lake.

By Train

The train stations in the airports are well sign-posted. It is an approx. 1hr train journey from Zurich Airport to Constance (Konstanz).  More information can be found at www.bahn.co.uk.

By Car

Take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais (approx. 35 minutes) and then drive to Zurich (approx. 8 hours).

Luggage Transfer

Daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the price of your trip. We ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20kg).

General Information

All bike tours are unescorted. The mileages and approximations are distances of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen and proper sports shoes. Travel to and from Constance is not included in the tour price and must be arranged on your own. In Austria it is mandatory for children under 12 yrs to wear a helmet when on a bike.

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.

All bikes come equipped with panniers, mileometer, bicycle lock and puncture repair kit. A handlebar bag with map compartment is available, please advise at the time of booking if you require this.

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.

How fit do I need to be?
How far in advance do I need to book?
When is the best time of year to go?
What personal equipment do I need?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Constance Day 2 Cycle to Uberlingen 31.5 miles / 50 km Day 3 Cycle to Kressbronn region 31.5 miles / 50 km Day 4 Cycle to Hochst / Rorschach Region 34.5 miles / 55 km Day 5 Cycle to Constance 34.5 miles / 55 km Day 6 Cycle to Schaffhausen 31.5 miles / 50 km Day 7 Cycle to Rhine Falls & Return to Constance 34.5 miles / 55 km Day 8 Onward travel

The Macs Way

  • Tried & Tested Adventures Tried & Tested Adventures
  • Freedom Freedom
  • Book with Confidence Book with Confidence
  • Expertise Expertise
  • Positive Impact Positive Impact
Built with our expert knowledge, to suit you.
  • Knowledgeable and helpful specialist trip planners
  • Wide variety of tours to suit all interests and experience levels
  • Start on any date that suits you
  • Choose your ideal trip length and difficulty
  • Range of accommodation comfort levels
  • Choice of trip styles
Authentic adventure travel experiences on your own terms
  • Choose your own travel companions
  • Walk, cycle and explore at your own pace
  • Make your own decisions
  • Choose your own path
  • Indulge your passions
Feel secure in making the right choice for your precious adventure time
  • 18,000+ unbiased trip & service reviews
  • Feefo Platinum Award 2023
  • 25,000+ travelers trust us each year
  • As featured in the Guardian, Times, Nat Geo Traveler
  • Founder owned & operated since 2003
  • 100+ passionate team members across the US, UK & Europe
You can be confident that every detail of your journey has been expertly planned
  • Carefully planned adventures
  • Quality, hand-picked accommodations
  • Seamless and reliable arrangements
  • Comprehensive trip information & insider tips
  • Detailed maps, route notes and mobile GPS app
  • Helpful 24/7 support should you need it
Travel the right way and make a positive impact
  • Travel responsibly
  • Explore off the beaten track
  • Support locally owned businesses
  • Engage with local communities
  • Minimize your impact
  • Maximize the benefit of your travel
  • Challenge yourself & grow
Currency:
$ - USD - US Dollar
Country/Region name:
USAUSA