Adventourus Active Vacations

8 day Independent tour

The Lake Constance cycle path is the most popular cycle route in Europe. Along this tour you will cycle around the Lake, get to know three countries and the four islands of Reichenau, Mainau, Lindau and Werd. Highlights include the medieval towns of Constance, Stein, Meersburg and Lindau. In comparison to other cycling routes, the daily stages along this trip are relatively short as you have a large variety of places and attractions to discover. Enjoy the impressive landscape of the Lake against the fabulous backdrop of the Alps.

You will begin your trip in Constance, which is the largest town on Lake Constance, and is still quite Medieval in character to this day. In 1414, the town hosted the only church council ever to take place north of the Alps. A small museum is dedicated to the Czech reformer Jan Hus, who was burnt at the stake here. The symbol of the city is the statue of Imperia, which is a memorial to the prostitutes of the council time. The aquariums of the Sea Life Center are also worth a visit, as is the Archaeological Museum.

Overnight stay in Constance/Kreuzlingen.

The first stage leads you to the island of Reichenau, whose monastery was extremely influential in the 10th Century and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. A boat will bring you across to the Höri Peninsula and you will cycle towards Gaienhofen, where Hermann Hesse lived from 1904 to1912. You will continue on through Hemmenhofen and Öhningen and over the border to the Swiss town of Stein am Rhein with its picturesque old town.

Overnight stay in Stein am Rhein.

Day 3: Stein am Rhein - Isle of Mainau - Überlingen (45-55 km)

Shortly after setting out this morning you will be able to cross over the bridge to the island of Werd which has a tiny Franciscan monastery. You'll cycle along the lake shore through small Swiss fishing villages with beautiful wooden-frame houses. You will cycle through Konstanz and onto the garden island of Mainau, which is well worth a visit. Then take a ferry from Wallhausen to the old imperial town of Überlingen.

Overnight stay in Überlingen.

The cycle tour leads you to the baroque pilgrim church of Birnau and the reconstructed lake dwellings in Uhldingen, and then onto Meersburg with its ancient Merovingian castle. You will then continue on through the winegrowing villages of Immenstaad and Hagnau, where in 1881 the first German winegrowers’ association was founded. You will then cycle on to the blimp town of Friedrichshafen. A visit to the Zeppelin-Museums and the harbour is recommended. 

Overnight stay in Immenstaad or Friedrichshafen.

Todays tour will lead you through Langenargen, where you can admire the inspiration for the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. You'll then cycle through sprawling orchards and arrive in the Bavarian town of Lindau, whose old town is a protected site and is on an island. After a few kilometres you will be on Austrian ground and cycling along the lakeshore you will reach the town of Bregenz with its unique lakeside stage.

Overnight stay in Lindau.

Take a stroll through the town of Bregenz which was founded in Roman times and boasts an excellently preserved old town or visit the famous lake stage. Near Hard you will cross over the Rhine which is flowing from the Swiss Alps, its delta here is an important nature preservation area. You will now be on Swiss ground and in Altenrhein you will be able to view the Hundertwasser-Halle, the last building designed by the famous artist. Cycling on through Horn and along the lakeshore, you will come to the former harbour town of St. Gallen; Rohrschach.

Overnight stay in Rorschach or Arbon.

The last day of the cycle route belongs to the Swiss canton of Thurgau, which is well known as an apple growing region. You will cycle through tidy villages along the lakeshore back to Konstanz. If you wish you may stay an extra night in Rorschach, which you can combine with a trip to the Appenzell region.

Overnight stay in Constance/Kreuzlingen.

After breakfast your Lake Constance cycling tour comes to an end and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.

PRICE & DETAILS

DEPARTURE DATES:

Independent tours depart every day from April to October.

- 7 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are family run guesthouses and B&B's of 2.5 & 3 star standard.

- Breakfast daily.

- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.

- Modern hybrid bicycle with 21 gears & pannier

- Boat tour Reichenau-Gaienhofen & Wallhausen-Überlingen

- Entrance to Rosgarten museum, 1 coffee included

- 7-Days Service hotline

- Detailed travel material, maps, and route descriptions of places of interest

You may also upgrade to all Superior 4 star hotels, at an additional $785 per person.

EASY: Paved cycle paths and quiet backstreets along the lakeshore; very few hills, suitable for experienced and novice cyclists, as well as families.

The nearest international airport is Zurich, with regular rail transfers available directly from the terminal.

Zurich Airport to Constance (1 1/2 hours) rail transfers are available at $55.00 one way.