Lake Constance Cycle Path Highlights
- Ride Europe’s favourite cycle path, Lake Constance
- Easy-going cycling through Austria, Germany and Switzerland
- The 'Bavarian Riveria' with its magnificent castles and enchanting gardens
- Medieval towns of Constance, Überlingen and Lindau
- Enjoy lakeside beaches and alpine views
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive ConstanceYour 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.
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.
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.
Your first day’s cycling takes you north across to Wallhausen. From here you’ll hop on a boat across to Uberlingen See where you visit the ancient Lake Dwellings Museum. Cycling onwards through medieval Meersburg the final destination today is Friedrichshafen; here you will find the world's largest collection of aviation exhibitions at the Zeppelin Museum—well worth a visit!
Cycle:Â 35 km + boat trip
Ascent/descent:Â 91m/88m
Stay in one of the oldest hotels in Friedrichshafen, Hotel Buchhorner Hof is steeped in tradition and the roots of the hotel go back to the 19th century. Located along the Lakeside promenade it is ideally situated for a post cycle stroll.
Hotel City-Krone is a 2-minute walk from Lake Constance. The rooms in the hotel come with satellite TV, a minibar and seating area, and all rooms offfer a private bathroom with hairdryer. A buffet breakfast is served every morning, and the hotel bar offers cocktails and features a summer terrace.
Stay at Seehotel Friedrichshafen, located on the lakeside promenade of Lake Constance. Experience the incredible views from their roof terrace over the lake and Friedrichshafen. Sample the creations of their chefs in their restaurants "Bodega" and "Uferlos".
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!
Cycle: 30—40 km depending on whether you're staying in Lindau or Bregenz
Ascent/descent:Â 19m/17m
Located in the heart of the city of Bregenz, the Hotel Germania is only a stone's throw away from Lake Constance, and boasts a sophisticated bar and restaurant in-house.
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.
Stay in a comfortable, modern hotel in the heart of the city. It is only 100 yards from Lake Constance and a 5-minute walk from the Festival Hall. Treat yourself to a visit to its sauna after your cycle.
Before leaving today, take a stroll through the historic streets of Upper Bregenz. Departing by bike, you’ll soon cross the border into Altenrhein Switzerland where you view the colourful Hundertwasser Hall. The final ride of the day leads along the lake shore to your overnight stop in the Rorschah / Arbon region.
Cycle: 45 km—50 km depending on whether you are staying in Rorschach or Arbon
Ascent/descent:Â 30m/31m
Stay in a typical Swiss half-timbered house. Gasthof Brauerei Frohsinn is located on the shores of Lake Constance in Arbon. The Frohsinn also has a brewery on-site and offers homemade Frohsinn Beer in the traditional beer cellar or on the terrace, which boasts lake views. Three on-site restaurants serve hearty local cuisine and drinks in the beer garden surrounded by 100-year-old chestnut trees.
Hotel Romerhof is located just a few steps from Lake Constance, in the old village centre of Arbon in a renovated historic building. Enjoy its gourmet restaurant and terrace and the wines from its wine cellar.
The last day of the cycle route allows you to visit 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 to Constance. If you have not already done so, visit Mainau island today.
Cycle: 30—50 km depending on whether you are departing from Arbon or Rorschach
Ascent/descent: 13m/12m
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.
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.
Depending on your onward travel arrangements, you may have time to soak up the relaxed lakeside atmosphere of Constance.
This trip has a carbon score of 3kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 3kg is equivalent to 10 miles in a medium-size gas car. 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 about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?This itinerary brings together easy-going shoreline cycling days, perfect for first-time or seasoned leisure cyclists. Between the historic towns and ports there are plenty of opportunities to take a break at one of the many lakeside beaches or viewpoints. Following a dedicated cycle route makes for easy cycling every day.
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 in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 5 Years
This cycling tour is graded easy. 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 route is mainly flat and along dedicated tarred cycle paths and is very well signposted all the way around.Â
This cycling tour is ideal for beginners on their first cycling holiday, or for those who simply wish to take it easy. There's plenty of time to explore en route with the shorter distances and flat terrain. Sometimes there will be an occasional longer day, on almost completely flat terrain. The length of the daily rides varies between 30-50 km and the difference in daily elevation gain/loss lies between +13m/+91m and -12m/-88m.
The accommodation on this cycling trip consists of small charming, often family-run 3 ans 4-star 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.
Please be aware that German ‘twin rooms’ (Doppelzimmer in German) are typically 2 single mattresses side by side in one double bed frame with two separate duvet covers and pillows.Â
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.
- 5 Nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
- All Breakfasts
- Baggage transfers (up to 20kg)
- Entrance to Rosgarten museum (with a coffee)
- Wallhausen to Uberlingen Boat Trip
- Information pack and route notes with maps
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office and local partners
- Travel to / from Constance
- Bike hire
- Upgrade to an e-bike
- Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
- Visitor's/tourist tax
- Bike helmet
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance
- Additional nights at the beginning or end of your trip
- Bike hire
- Upgrade to an e-bike
This trip is available to start on any day from late April to early October.Â
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 & Train
Zurich is the closest large airport. Constance is an easy direct 1hr train journey from Zurich Airport (see www.bahn.co.uk). Alternatively, you can fly into Friedrichshafen Airport and take a 40 mins ferry across the lake.
By Air & Train
Zurich is the closest large airport. Constance is an easy direct 1hr train journey to Zurich Airport (see www.bahn.co.uk). Alternatively, you can take a 40 mins ferry across the lake and use Friedrichshafen Airport.
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).
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, 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.
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.Â
It is advised that you secure adequate travel insurance.
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 and along tarred cycle paths. Daily distances are between 20 km and 55 km.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this trip is extremely popular especially during peak season from July to August.Â
Spring at Lake Constance is from around May to June. Flowers quickly blossom and timbered houses over spill with colourful flower boxes. July and August is the best of the weather but can be busy. September is just in time for end of the wine season and can also have superb weather without the crowds.
You will need comfortable sports shoes, comfortable clothes for cycling, waterproof jacket and trousers, a helmet and a sunhat. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.Â
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