Highlights of the Lake Constance region: This cycle tour takes you through the famous Lake Constance region to the hinterland. The Alpine panorama and the vast expanse of Lake Constance create a unique atmosphere. At the foot of the Alps you cycle through the magnificent landscape of the three hospitable countries Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Forest paths, idyllic villages, hamlets and beautiful vineyards and orchards will embellish your journey. The Lake Constance region also offers several architectural and historical sights and is filled with history, poetry, nature and wilderness. Look forward to a unique cycling tour far away from the tourist hustle and bustle!
Highlights
Natural and low-traffic bike routes on quiet forest and meadow paths
Lovely boutique accommodations
Historic lakeside towns of Überlingen, Meersburg, Lindau, and Constance
UNESCO World Heritage sites of St. Gallen and Reichenau Island
Bioreserve of the Rhine Delta
Bregenzer Ache Nature Reserve
Scenic boat trip to Reichenau Island
Relaxed itinerary with two nights in Gottlieben and an additional night in Überlingen
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Überlingen
- Day 2: Überlingen – Salem, 21 mi. (34 km)
- Day 3: Salem – Lindau, 32 or 39 mi. (51 or 63 km)
- Day 4: Lindau – St. Gallen, 20 or 34 mi. (32 or 55 km)
- Day 5: St. Gallen – Gottlieben, 27 mi. (44 km)
- Day 6: Reichenau Island Loop from Gottlieben, 30 or 45 mi. (48 or 73 km)
- Day 7: Gottlieben – Überlingen, 14 mi. (23 km)
- Day 8: Departure from Überlingen
All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond our control, weather conditions, or local regulations, minor route changes may occur before or during your holiday.
Day 1: Arrival in Überlingen
Your room will be ready for check-in at 3:00 p.m. From the terraces and many rooms of the comfortable and first-class Parkhotel St. Leonhard you can gaze out over Lake Constance, which seems to stretch endlessly to the east and west. In the next few days you will not only cycle around this huge lake landscape, you will also learn about the culture. In the afternoon, you should take your time for a tour of the old imperial city of Überlingen. The contours of this medieval city, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries, can be clearly seen even today. Mighty gates and walls, carved out of the surrounding rock, have been preserved to this day. The soft rock of the hills around Überlingen allowed the city's builders this unique construction. The core of the old town is grouped picturesquely around the “Hofstatt” square with the town hall and many Gothic stair gables. The Gothic cathedral of St. Nicholas is also nearby. Not only is it imposing on the outside, but also holds something valuable on the inside, including the works of art by the woodcarver Jörg Zürn. He created the sacrament house and a grand high altar. Overnight at the Parkhotel St. Leonhard **** / Überlingen. This is an exquisite, modern hotel in a scenic position above Überlingen with a wide view of the lake. The hotel features an indoor swimming pool and is an ideal hotel for an extension of your stay before or after the trip. In fine weather, dinner is served on the hotel terrace with a wonderful view of the city.
Day 2: Überlingen - Salem | 21 mi. (34 km) | ↑ 240 m ↓ 290 m
For luggage transfer, please bring your suitcases to the reception every morning by 9:00 a.m. and inform the hotel staff that they will be picked up by the Lake Constance Cycle Route Service. If you have booked rental bikes, they will be delivered by 9:30 a.m. this morning. The first bike stage begins with a slight descent directly from the hotel and runs slightly hilly on paths off the country road. This is followed by forest and meadow paths with wonderful views of the lake on which you cycle directly to the gates of Birnau. This Rococo church has almost become a symbol of the entire Lake Constance landscape and is one of its most visited treasures. In front of the church there is a balustrade from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the lake. Meersburg, surrounded by steep vineyards, is one of the most romantic medieval towns on the entire lake. Quaint alleys, lined with beautiful old houses, lead up to the castle that still dominates the town today. Artists of all types have always been drawn to this lovely area. Annette von Droste-Hülshof, a poet from the Münsterland region, once lived here in Meersburg.
After an individual visit and lunch break, your route continues in the afternoon towards Salem, the former Cistercian monastery. It is still the residence of the Margrave of Baden and the seat of the world-famous boarding school. The route to Salem also leads through field, forest, and meadow paths through an untouched landscape. As you pedal pass silent ponds, you will see the hills that are called “drumlins” and are witnesses of the ice age. This section of the cycle path is part of the “prelate path”. On it, the monks and priests moved from Salem Monastery to Birnau to hold mass there. The venerable walls of Salem's monastery complex, which now houses a renowned and internationally known boarding school, rise up suddenly. Here you can participate in a short tour (not included) to visit the monastery and church or take a coffee (or beer) break at the Schwanen Inn, located directly on the grounds of the Salem Castle / Monastery. Overnight in Salem.
Day 3: Salem - Lindau | 32 or 39 mi. (51 or 63 km) | ↑ 390 m ↓ 430 m
It is 10 km from Salem to the pretty town of Markdorf (alternatively, from Salem you can also take the train connection from Salem to Markdorf if the route seems too long to you today). For the route to Lindau, you will cycle on a little-known route through small villages and into the farmlands and forests. Eventually, the landscape descends to Lake Constance and Wasserburg, which literally translated, means castle in the water. The historic peninsula of Wasserburg, with the onion dome of the baroque church St. George, rises from the landscape and is an iconic landmark of the region. Cycling onward from Wasserburg to Lindau, you will enjoy a traffic-free route to the gates of your hotel at Lindau harbor. The port entrance with lighthouse and lions is one of the postcard motifs of Lake Constance Be sure to take a stroll on the harbor promenade and enjoy the alpine views.m Overnight in the old town of Lindau .
Day 4: Lindau - St. Gallen | 20 or 34 mi. (32 or 55 km) | ↑ 400 m ↓ 110 m
Please note: Your suitcase must remain unlocked today since it will be transferred to Switzerland (via an EU external border). Customs must be able to open and check the luggage. Today you experience three countries in one day! The medieval city of Lindau merits a closer look before you set off for your cycling day. There are alleys and streets lined with arches, a magnificently painted town hall crowned with stepped gables, and wonderfully decorated churches. The port of Lindau is the most important in Bavaria and its entrance is flanked by a lighthouse and a huge stone lion. The bike path from Lindau to Bregenz takes you across the German-Austrian border. You bike the winding paths near the shore, to the natural idyll of the Bregenzer Ache, and finally to the biodiverse nature reserve near Rohrspitz, surrounded by two arms of the Rhine. Not only a haven for migratory birds, it is also rich in flora and fauna, and is an intensely beautiful wilderness. In May the nightingale sings and the cuckoo calls.
After you have passed the customs station (be sure to have your identification documents), you reach the town of Rheineck. From here, the signposted cycle path leads to St. Gallen on a steady but gentle uphill (approx. 22 km). If this is too tiring for you, you can also get on the train in Rheineck. Your hotel is ideally located for an evening stroll through the nearby old town and the venerable district of St. Gallen Cathedral and its monastery district.
Day 5: St. Gallen - Gottlieben | 27 mi. (44 km) | ↑ 210 m ↓ 500 m
From the Middle Ages to the present day, St. Gallen has always been a prosperous city. The huge, centuries-old monastery with its cathedral and the world-famous abbey library form the heart of the old town. A visit to the library (world cultural heritage) is highly recommended (opening times: daily 10 am to 5 pm, admission: SFr 12). From the old town to the villa and university district on the slope, you first have to go uphill and you may have to push your bike. A cycle route now leads all the way down to the lakeshore, where you cycle more downhill than uphill. You approach the lakeside on agricultural paths and small streets. The day's destination is Gottlieben, a small town with picturesque half-timbered houses located on the Untersee. Overnight stay in Gottlieben. On mild summer nights, you can experience unforgettable sunsets.
Day 6: Reichenau Island Loop from Gottlieben | 30 or 45 mi. (48 or 73 km)
Today is dedicated to one of the cultural highlights of Lake Constance: Reichenau Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its monastic history, Romanesque churches, and fertile vegetable gardens. The day begins with a relaxing boat trip from nearby Gottlieben across the Untersee to Reichenau Island. Upon arrival, you cycle through the island's charming villages, market gardens, vineyards, and orchards. Reichenau has been an important center of European monastic culture since the early Middle Ages and is home to three remarkable Romanesque churches: St. George in Oberzell, St. Peter and Paul in Niederzell, and the Minster of St. Mary and St. Mark in Mittelzell. Together they form one of Germany's most important UNESCO World Heritage sites.
After exploring the island, you continue along the southern shore of Lake Constance toward Constance and then follow attractive lakeside cycle paths back toward Gottlieben. For a more relaxed day, you may shorten the route by taking a local train for the final section back to the Untersee region. This option reduces the cycling distance to approximately 48 km (30 mi.). Cyclists wishing to enjoy the complete route can continue entirely by bike, resulting in a total distance of approximately 73 km (45 mi.). A second overnight stay in Gottlieben allows you to fully enjoy the island and the beautiful landscapes of the Untersee without the need to pack luggage today. Overnight in Gottlieben.
Day 7: Gottlieben - Überlingen | 14 or 21 mi. (23 or 34 km) | ↑ 210 m ↓ 120 m
Your tour around the lake ends with today's bike route. From the hotel, you get on your bike to return to Germany near Constance along the lake. A beautiful bike path crosses this council city. From 1414-18 the famous Council took place here, which was one of the most important of the Middle Ages. After a stroll through the city and/or a coffee break on the lakeshore, you cycle through elegant residential areas from Constance to the south shore of Lake Überlingen. You follow a quiet and picturesque bike path that leads you to the town of Wallhausen, and here from the small port, you take a ferry to Überliningen.Upon arrival, you cycle the final short distance to your hotel. Thanks to the included extra night, there is no rush today. Spend the afternoon strolling along Überlingen's beautiful waterfront promenade, exploring the medieval old town, or simply relaxing at your hotel overlooking the lake. Overnight at the Parkhotel St. Leonhard** in Überlingen.
Day 8: Departure from Überlingen
After breakfast, your cycling holiday comes to an end. If desired, additional nights in Überlingen can be arranged to further explore the Lake Constance region.
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