The Great Lake Constance Cycling Holiday

Welcome to Lake Constance! Your Great Lake Constance Cycling Holiday begins in Constance. Known as the site of the Council of Constance, traces of this medieval world event can still be found in the lively old town and Niederburg castle. Climb the tower of the cathedral and enjoy the panoramic view over the city and the surrounding area. Constance's real landmark is located at the harbor. The Imperia, a nine-metre-high statue, is a satirical reminder of the Council.

Your first stage takes you to the island of Reichenau. You reach the monastery and vegetable island via a dam lined with poplars. Before crossing over to Gaienhofen by boat, visit one of the three Romanesque churches and the historic herb garden of Abbot Walahfrid Strabo. Once in Gaienhofen, you cycle along the Höri peninsula, which is 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 down to a depth of 23 meters. On a boat trip to the Rhine Falls rock, you can get very close to the masses of water. Make a stopover in Schaffhausen on the way back. The Munot is 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 Great Lake Constance Cycling Holiday, you cycle back to Constance on the Swiss side of the Rhine with almost no inclines. Take a long break in Salenstein. From the Lake Constance Cycle Path, it is only a short climb to the Napoleon Museum at Arenenberg Castle. Queen Hortense, stepdaughter and sister-in-law of Napoleon I, once lived here. Enjoy the view across the Untersee to the Höri peninsula and the island of Reichenau during a walk in the spacious landscaped park.

A visit to the flower island of Mainau is one of the highlights of your Great Lake Constance Cycling Holiday. On foot, you can experience the splendor of the blossoms of various plants and redwood trees towering into the sky. Visit the exotic butterfly house, the Italian water staircase and the baroque castle of Count Bernadotte. Via Allensbach am Gnadensee, you 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 first cycle via Stahringen to Bodman. Following the Lake Constance Cycle Path, you reach Überlingen. The townscape of the former Free Imperial City is characterized by historic patrician houses and St. Nicholas Cathedral. The five-kilometre-long lakeside promenade is ideal for a long walk. Back on the bike, it is worth making a detour to the richly decorated Birnau pilgrimage church. Spend the night in Uhldingen or Meersburg. Visit the pile-dwelling museum in Unteruhldingen. In Meersburg, you can toast to an eventful day in one of the many wine taverns.

Start with a leisurely stroll through Meersburg's winding old town alleyways. 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 sensory way. You can cycle to Friedrichshafen almost effortlessly. Another historically exciting building awaits you near the port. Located in the former port railway station, the Zeppelin Museum presents the world's largest collection on the history of airship travel.

Today's stage of your Great Lake Constance Cycling Holiday first takes you to Langenargen. Montfort Castle, built in the Mauritanian style, is located not far from the harbor. The cycle path along the railroad embankment takes you to Lindau's old town, which is located on an island. Time for an extended café break at the harbor. Lindau's landmarks – the six-metre-high Bavarian Lion and the 33-metre-high lighthouse, which is open to visitors – stand on the two harbour piers. Bregenz is just a few kilometers away. Situated between Lake Constance and the Alps, the festival city combines modern architecture with medieval flair.

Before you get on your bike today, it's time to head up high. 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. Once you have taken your bike up to the Pfänder, there are various cycle routes for a speedy descent. Back at the lake, you soon reach the (Alpine) Rhine, which you follow to Altstätten. The cog railroad takes you to Gais in the Appenzell region. You cycle to your destination for the day, St. Gallen, on partly hilly sections.

Just leave your bike at home today! St. Gallen offers you a variety of ways to spend the day on foot. On a panoramic hike (approx. 10 kilometers) above the city, you have a sweeping view over the old town and can enjoy a typically Swiss landscape. A visit to the abbey district will introduce you to 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.

The last stage of your cycling vacation on Lake Constance takes you back to the lake. After a few slightly hilly kilometers, you will reach Arbon. Visit the picturesque old town and stroll along the lakeside promenade. In the nearby harbor town of Romanshorn, you can take a dip in the cool waters of Lake Constance. Visit the Rosgarten Museum in your destination of Constance. Located in the heart of the old town, the museum provides an insight into the rich history of the Council City.

Your Great Lake Constance Cycling Holiday ends after breakfast. We are happy to extend your stay at Lake Constance with an extra night.