Lake Constance - XXL cycle tour

Enjoy a stroll through the very well maintained old town of Constance with council house, the Munster, and the maze of little alleyways of Niederburg. Not to forget the Mediterranean harbour with famous “Imperia”. Overnight stay is in Constance.

This stage leads you on to the Reichenau Island. Its monastery was extremely influential in the 10th Century and was declared to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. A boat will bring you across the lake to Gaienhofen. You cycle along the Höri Peninsula and continue over the border to the Swiss town of Stein am Rhein with its picturesque old town. Soon after you will cross the border once again and reach Gailingen.

Today you will stay on the north bank of the Rhine and follow the course of the river into the town of 171 bay windows: Schaffhausen. The Rhine Fall is not far and you can get up close to it on a boat tour. Castle Laufen thrones high above the waterfall and from the viewing platform you will have a breath-taking view of the surroundings. In the afternoon you cycle back to Gailingen.

You will cycle up along the Rhine today back to Stein am Rhein. You pass numerous picturesque Swiss fishing villages on your way back to Constance through the peaceful countryside of the Lower Lake. Napoleon's stepdaughter Hortense de Beauharnais made this area her adopted home. You can visit her former home in Arenenberg, which is now a Napoleon museum.

Today you will explore the flower island of Mainau. Make sure you take enough time to enjoy this paradise-like island on the Überlinger See with its luxurious, colourful flowerbeds, towering mature trees, shady forests and sweet scented roses. After your visit you will have a short cycle in the direction of Allensbach, which is well known due to its public opinion research institute, to the former imperial town of Radolfzell.

After leaving Radolfzell you cross the Bodanrück ridge near Stahringen to cycle to the Überlinger See part of the lake via Bodman. You ride along the lakeshore towards the former imperial town of Überlingen with its gothic cathedral and famous lakeside promenade. Next pedal on towards Meersburg. The Baroque pilgrimage church of Birnau and the reconstructed lake dwellings near Uhldingen are both worth a visit.

Meersburg, the well known wine growing area, awaits you! You can visit the old castle, which is the oldest inhabited castle in Germany. Further attractions include the new castle with its amazing staircase and the market place which is surrounded by picturesque wooden-framed houses. Accompanied by a beautiful panoramic view of the Alps, you will cycle to Friedrichshafen where you can visit the Zeppelin museum.

Today the tour first takes you through Langenargen. This is where you'll find Montfort Castle, built according to the old Moorish style. Next, cycle through orchards and arrive after a relaxed pedal to the Bavarian town of Lindau. The harbour is watched over by a 6 meter high lion. Soon you'll arrive in the Festival Town of Bregenz. The wonderful stage on the lake is a sight to behold at any season of the year.

Near Fußach you reach the Alpine Rhine which you follow to Altstätten. From here you take the train right up into the Appenzellerland and then down through picturesque Swiss countryside to St. Gallen, home to a monastery. You have enough time there to visit the historic centre and the baroque monastery library.

Discover Sankt Gallen! The library of the collegiate church is unique all over the world. In these breath-taking Baroque style rooms, you will recognize the handwriting of the early Middle Ages. A short round bike trip or a hike are also good alternatives. The nearby Appenzellerland could be out of a picture book of Switzerland – grazing cows on green hills and in the background, the snow-covered peaks of the mountains on the horizon.

Enjoy the downhill stretch to Lake Constance and your arrival near Arbon. Next, cycle along the lake through cultivated little Swiss villages and orchards, back to Constance. Take a break wherever you want in any of the many cafes along the lakeside, or jump into the water to be refreshed! Finally, there should still be time for a visit to Rosgartenmuseum or a relaxed wander through the old quarter of Constance.