The Great Lake Constance Cycling Holiday

Welcome to Lake Constance! Your cycling vacation on Lake Constance begins in Constance. Known as the place of the Constance Council, traces of this medieval world event can still be found today in the lively old town and the Niederburg. Climb the tower of the cathedral and enjoy the panoramic view over the city and the surrounding countryside. The actual landmark of Constance is located at the harbor. The Imperia, a nine-meter-high statue, is a satirical reminder of the council.

Your first stage takes you first to the island of Reichenau. You will reach the monastery and vegetable island via a dam lined with poplars. Before crossing by boat to Gaienhofen, you will visit one of the three Romanesque churches and the historic herb garden of Abbot Walahfrid Strabo. Once in Gaienhofen, you will cycle along the Höri peninsula, known for its artistic scene. Today you will spend the night in the Swiss town of Stein am Rhein, whose old town impresses with its colorfully painted facades, or in Gailingen, one of the southernmost towns in Germany.

Today you cycle to one of the largest waterfalls in Europe. At the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen, several hundred cubic meters per second plunge into a depth of 23 meters. During a boat ride to the Rhine Falls Rock, you will get very close to the water masses. On the way back, make a stop in Schaffhausen. The Munot is considered the town's landmark. Enjoy the view over the old town from the fortress before returning to your hotel in Stein am Rhein or Gailingen.

On today's stage of your cycling vacation at Lake Constance, you will cycle back to Constance on the Swiss side of the Rhine almost without any inclines. Take an extended break in Salenstein. From the Lake Constance bike path, it's just a short climb to the Napoleon Museum in Arenenberg Castle. Queen Hortense, stepdaughter and sister-in-law of Napoleon I, once lived here. Enjoy the view over the Untersee to the Höri peninsula and the island of Reichenau during a walk in the spacious landscape park.

On your cycling vacation at Lake Constance, a visit to the flower island Mainau is one of the highlights. On foot you will experience the flowering splendor of different plants and sequoia trees reaching into the sky. Visit the exotic butterfly house, the Italian water staircase and the baroque castle of the Counts Bernadotte. Via Allensbach on Lake Gnaden, you will reach Radolfzell, the destination of your stage. The unmistakable centerpiece of the old town is the Cathedral of Our Lady, a late Gothic building with the highest church tower on Lake Constance.

From Radolfzell you will first go via Stahringen to Bodman. Following the Lake Constance Cycle Path, you will reach Überlingen. The townscape of the former Free Imperial City is characterized by historic patrician houses and the St. Nicholas Minster. The five-kilometer-long lakeside promenade is ideal for an extended walk. Back on the bike, a detour to the richly decorated pilgrimage church of Birnau is worthwhile. You will spend the night in Uhldingen or Meersburg. In Unteruhldingen, visit the pile-dwelling museum. In Meersburg, one or the other wine tavern is an excellent place to toast an eventful day.

Start with a leisurely stroll through Meersburg's winding old town alleys. Visit Meersburg Castle, Germany's oldest inhabited castle. A detour to the Vineum is also worthwhile. The museum brings you closer to the cultural history of wine in an interactive and sensual way. You can cycle to Friedrichshafen almost effortlessly. Near the harbor, another historically exciting building awaits you. Located in the former harbor station, the Zeppelin Museum presents you with the world's largest collection on the history of airship travel.

Today's stage of your cycling vacation on Lake Constance will take you first to Langenargen. Not far from the harbor is Montfort Castle, built in the Mauritanian style. Via the cycle path along the railroad embankment you will reach the old town of Lindau, situated on an island. Time for an extended café break at the harbor. Lindau's landmarks - the six-meter-high Bavarian Lion and the 33-meter-high lighthouse, which is open to visitors - stand on the two harbor piers. Bregenz is just a few kilometers away. Located between Lake Constance and the Alps, the festival city combines modern architecture and medieval flair.

Before you get on your bike today, it's high up. A cable car takes you to the summit of the Pfänder, Bregenz's local mountain, in just a few minutes. Enjoy the unique view of Lake Constance and countless Alpine peaks. If you have taken your bike with you to the Pfänder, there are various bike routes for a speedy descent. Back at the lake, you will soon reach the (Alpine) Rhine, which you follow to Altstätten. By cogwheel train you will reach Gais in the Appenzell region. On partly hilly sections you will cycle to your destination of the day, St. Gallen.

Just leave your bike behind today! St. Gallen offers you many opportunities to spend the day on foot. On a panoramic hike (about ten kilometers) above the city, you will have a wide view over the old town center and enjoy a typical Swiss landscape. During a visit to the Abbey District, you will get to know St. Gallen's landmark, the baroque cathedral. Right next to it is the Abbey Library, which not only has an extraordinary collection of several thousand books and writings, but is also magnificently furnished.

On the last stage of your cycling vacation on Lake Constance, you return to the lake. After a few, slightly hilly kilometers you will reach Arbon. Visit the old town, which is well worth seeing, and stroll along the lakeside promenade. In the nearby harbor town of Romanshorn, take a dip in the cool waters of Lake Constance. Visit the Rosgarten Museum in your travel destination of Constance. Located in the middle of the old town, the museum gives insight into the rich history of the council city.

After breakfast your great cycling vacation at Lake Constance already ends. We are happy to extend your stay at Lake Constance with an extra night.