Lake Constance Cycling Tour

Overshadowed by the snow-capped Alpine peaks of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and with its stunning turquoise shore shared between all three countries, Lake Constance is a unique jewel in the crown of central Europe.

Exploring by bike is by far the best way to travel here: a 300km pancake-flat cycling path leads from country to country taking in daisy-strewn meadows, billowing wheat fields, Bavarian vineyards and picturesque marinas. The routes have been specifically designed by our local partner, Donau Touristik, and checked by our managers too. This is a region brimming with history too and, en route, cultural highlights include fairytale castles in Meersburg, flower decked palaces in Konstanz and books dating over 1,000 years in St Gallen’s UNESCO library! If you just feel like relaxing, there are sand and pebble beaches dotted all round the lake - and, with a backdrop of snow-capped Alpine peaks reflected in the crystal clear waters, the views are pretty special too!

But it is the flexibility that makes this holiday like no other in our programme. We give you fully detailed cycling notes to take you from each hotel to the next. If, however, you wish to shorten, or lengthen your route at any point, you simply hop on the local train or boat – taking your bike with you – and tailor your journey to suit.

Throughout your trip, you’ll stay in a mix of old coaching inns, grand riverside mansions and beautiful park hotels offering spectacular views of the Swiss Alps. You can buy local produce - fresh strawberries, grapes and apple juice from roadside stalls with honesty boxes.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrive in Bregenz
You arrive at your hotel - a historic coaching inn - in the centre of Bregenz. Explore the ancient cobbled streets of the old town before dinner on the courtyard terrace.

Day 2 - Bregenz to Arbon 37km/23mi
This day features stunning views of the snow-capped Alpine peaks this morning as you cycle west along Lake Constance's southern shore before crossing the mighty Rhine delta that straddles the border between Austria and Switzerland. It's an area of great natural beauty and a refuge for wildlife - keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers in the reeds. Your final stretch takes you around the lake to Arbon - pretty half-timbered houses and C16 castle - where you'll spend the next 2 nights.

Day 3 - In Arbon
It;s easy to spend a morning exploring Arbon's historic old town with its well preserved buildings. After lunch at one of the many lakeside restaurants, hop on the train (option to take your bike too), for the 20 minute ride (10km) to historic St Gallen - a bustling market town packed with C18 merchants' houses and open air cafes. Visit the C8 Benedictine Abbey's fabulous UNESCO library, and then blow the cobwebs away by freewheeling back down to the lakeside. There are lots of swimming possibilities, and it's easy waterfront cycling back to the hotel.

Day 4 - Arbon to Stein am Rhein 41km/27mi or 58km/38mi
There is an option to take the train to Guettingen this morning and shorten your route. Otherwise, pedalling clockwise around the lake, you'll pass numerous postcard-pretty, waterfront villages affording lots of panoramic sun terraces for coffee stops and lunch. In the afternoon, you coast effortlessly between sleepy harbours, the white sails from the boats reflecting brightly on the clear blue waters.

Day 5 - In Stein am Rhein
It's easy to spend the day in mediaeval Stein am Rhein with its C11 monastery, beautiful frescoed square and lovely chocolate shops! Alternatively, Schaffhausen, a lively German town full of street theatre in the summer, is ideal for a day trip. It is great for shopping, and has riverside cycle paths to Schloss Laufen - a tiny castle perched precariously above the tumbling Rheinfalls waterfall - the biggest in Europe!

Day 6 - Stein am Rhein to Konstanz 45km/28mi
Freewheeling east this morning, you'll soon cross the border to enter Germany - look out for cormorant and red crested pochard in the Hornstaad Nature Reserve. Cycling along the 'Gnadensee' you'll soon reach the UNESCO Heritage Site of Klosterinsel Reichenau, the first populated area on Lake Constance and home to an impressive 8C AD Benedictine Abbey. It's then onto Konstanz, unofficial regional capital.

Day 7 - In Konstanz
You could easily spend the day exploring the narrow streets of Konstanz: visit the Altstadt, Munster and lively centre crammed with quirky shops and museums. Alternatively hop on a boat to visit Mainau Island's palace and landscaped rose gardens. If you take your bike, you can pedal back at leisure along traffic-free lakeside cycle paths.

Day 8 - Konstanz to Friedrichshafen 25km/16mi
It is a short ride through oak forest to catch the 20 minute ferry ride (included) to fairytale Meersburg with its twin castles, steep streets and hillsides of vines. Then, pedalling south, it's a gentle coast into Friedrichshafen.

Day 9 - In Friedrichshafen
You have some superb wine tasting opportunities on your doorstep today - local Muller-Thurgau wines come from Riesling and Silvaner grapes for which Lake Constance is famous. Or visit Friedrichschafen's amazing Zeppelin Museum - full of fascinating knick-knacks, including an original menu and wine list from the Hindenburg!

Day 10 - Friedrichshafen to Bregenz 34km/21mi
Past the pretty village of Langenargn and through peaceful vineyards and cherry orchards en route to lovely Lindau, a gorgeous island village surrounded by cobalt blue waters with long distance views of razor-edged peaks across the lake. Lots of idyllic choices for lunch then, keeping the lake at your side, a final swoosh takes you back down to Bregenz. If time, perhaps, take the cable car up Pfander mountain, (1,050m), for a fantastic vista of your entire route - a real achievement!

Day 11 - Leave Bregenz

Is this trip for you?
Anyone who loves great views and countryside cycling will enjoy this trip, which can be either a 1 or 2 cycle holiday (See Headwater’s Cycle Rating System). The region has some excellent hotels- 3 hotels are 4 star and 2 are 3 star so the holiday is quite luxurious and there are swimming possibilities every day for those who want to swim in the lake. It is a unique opportunity to cycle through three different countries, and will be great for families who want to have a flexible holiday. Because the railway service around the lake is so cheap and so efficient, the routes can be as long or short as you like because you are constantly passing stations the bike path follows the railway for a lot of the way.