8 Days & 7 Nights

4.5

Lake Constance Cycle Path: The Classic Way

Visit Switzerland's world-famous Rhine Falls
Easy-going cycling through Austria, Germany and Switzerland
Medieval towns of Stein am Rhein, Constance & Überlingen
Enjoy lakeside beaches & Alpine mountain views
Discover historic Schaffhausen and the beautiful Upper Rhine

Cycle one of Europe’s most popular cycle paths through Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Follow an easy-going route around the sparkling shores of Bodensee, better known as Lake Constance, with fairy-tale villages, medieval towns and far-reaching Alpine views along the way. Explore colourful Stein am Rhein and visit the thundering Rhine Falls before continuing through elegant Überlingen, Friedrichshafen and Lindau’s picturesque old town island. Cycle along the Austrian shoreline of Bregenz, then into Switzerland through Rorschach and Arbon before returning to Constance. With gentle cycling, inviting lakeside beaches and plenty of time to explore, this is a wonderfully relaxed way to experience Lake Constance.

From £1,580.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Constance

Your cycling trip begins in Constance, the largest town on Lake Constance and the town which gave the lake its name. This lively university town is often considered the unofficial capital of the region. Spend the afternoon exploring its maze of little alleyways and charming squares, relax by the Mediterranean-style harbour, or visit nearby Mainau Island. You could also spend some time discovering Constance’s old town or visit the Archaeological Museum.

Overnight Konstanz

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Alte Post | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel Alte Post is located near the landscape of Lake Constance and the lake can be reached on foot in a few minutes. The hotel is a place to enjoy the culture of the city of Constance and is in the middle of the old town of Konstanz, surrounded by restaurants, cafes and shops.

Day 2 Cycle Constance to Schaffhausen 28 miles / 45 km

Your first day’s cycling takes you from Constance to the island of Reichenau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its historic monastery and market gardens. From here, take the boat across to Gaienhofen with your bike before continuing along the Höri peninsula towards the picturesque town of Stein am Rhein. Leave Lake Constance behind for a while as you follow the Rhine towards Schaffhausen, where you can spend the evening exploring the charming old town. You can take the opportunity today to detour and visit Rhine Falls, on eof the largest waterfalls in Central Europe.

Overnight Schaffhausen

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Kronenhof | 3 Star | Hotel

Situated in the heart of the historic district, the hotel dates back to the 15th century. Renovated in the 1990's it features characterful rooms and has an inhouse restaurant.

Day 3 Schaffhausen to Überlingen 31 miles / 50 km

Your route begins with a boat trip from Schaffhausen to Stein am Rhein, giving you a different perspective of the Rhine before you get back on your bike. From here, cycle around the Höri peninsula and continue through Radolfzell, passing meadow orchards and the Bodanrück peninsula. You’ll then reach Bodman and Ludwigshafen before continuing along the lakeshore towards Überlingen, where the impressive St. Nikolaus Minster can be seen from afar.

Overnight Uberlingen

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Bad Hotel Überlingen | Bed and breakfast

The hotel is located in the centre of Überlingen, direclty on the Badgarten and Lake Constance. They offer a sun terrace with a view of the lake and park where guests can relax. The historic centre and ship landing stage can be accessed by taking a short walk through the park. The hotel has comfortably furnished rooms, some of which offer panoramic views of Lake Constance, the Badgarten or the city centre.

Day 4 Cycle Überlingen to Friedrichshafen 22 miles / 35 km

Today’s route follows the Lake Constance Cycle Path along the northern shore towards Friedrichshafen. Along the way, pass through Unteruhldingen, home to the famous prehistoric pile dwellings, before continuing to the picturesque town of Meersburg with its historic old town and castle. From here, continue along the lakeshore to Friedrichshafen, where you can visit the Zeppelin Museum or Dornier Museum and enjoy views across the lake towards the Alps.

Overnight Friedrichshafen

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel City-Krone | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel City-Krone is ideally located just 100 metres- or a two-minute walk - from Lake Constance, making it perfect for sightseeing and lakeside strolls. The rooms are cosy, modern, and designed for comfort. Guests can enjoy convenient amenities such as a laundry service, a small indoor pool, and a wellness centre offering relaxing massages. The continental buffet breakfast is both healthy and generous.

On the 5th floor, the rooftop terrace offers stunning panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains - an ideal spot for an evening aperitif.

Day 5 Cycle Friedrichshafen to Lindau/Bregenz 22 miles / 35 km

Leaving Friedrichshafen, cycle through orchards and along the lakeshore towards Langenargen, passing its distinctive Montfort Castle. Continue onwards to the Bavarian town of Lindau, where the historic old town sits on an island in Lake Constance. Depending on your overnight location, continue a little further around the lake to Bregenz in Austria.

Overnight Lindau

Overnight Bregenz

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Messmer | 4 Star | Hotel

Stay in a comfortable, modern hotel in the heart of the city. It is only 100 yards from Lake Constance and a 5-minute walk from the Festival Hall. Treat yourself to a visit to its sauna after your cycle.

Day 6 Cycle Lindau to Rorschach/Arbon 28 miles / 45 km

Your route continues from Lindau towards Bregenz, where you can take the cable car up Mount Pfänder for panoramic views across Lake Constance. Back on your bike, continue through Höchst and cross into Switzerland before reaching Rorschach. Depending on your overnight location, continue a little further along the lakeshore to Arbon.

Overnight Rorschach

Overnight Arbon

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Romerhof | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Romerhof is located just a few steps from Lake Constance, in the old village centre of Arbon in a renovated historic building. Enjoy its gourmet restaurant and terrace and the wines from its wine cellar.

Day 7 Cycle Rorschach/Arbon to Constance 31 miles / 50 km

Your final day’s cycling follows the southern shore of Lake Constance, passing through Romanshorn and along the lakeside back towards Constance. The route is generally flat and easy-going, with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy views across the lake or take a refreshing swim along the way. Finish your cycling trip back in Constance, where you can spend the evening exploring the old town or relaxing by the harbour.

Overnight Konstanz

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Alte Post | 4 Star | Hotel

Day 8 Onward travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 17kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 17kg is equivalent to 100 cans of coke. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

Reviews

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

Cycle through Germany, Austria and Switzerland on one of Europe’s most popular easy-going cycle paths. This near-free traffic route is predominately flat, cycling along the shores of Lake Constance. It's perfect for first-time or seasoned leisure cyclists looking to experience medieval towns and lakeside beaches, fuelled by regional culinary delights.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Short Break

E-Bike

Grade & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded easy to moderate. The grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some rides may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. The first stage in the areas around Hörli is moderately hilly, otherwise the route is mainly flat along dedicated tarred cycle paths and is very well signposted all the way around.

Experience & Fitness

This cycling tour is perfect for occasional riders seeking to discover a region from the saddle, and comfortable riding up to 45km each day over a few consecutive days. Shorter daily mileages allow time to stop and take in the scenery, stop for a long lunch before arriving at your destination. The length of the daily rides varies between 30-55 km and the difference in daily elevation gain/loss lies between +13m/+476m and -9m/-205m.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

7 Nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
7 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
Detailed trip info and mapped tracks, via the Macs App
24/7 telephone support from our UK office and local partners
Boat trip from Reichenau to Gaienhofen
Boat trip from Schaffhausen to Stein am Rhein

Excluded

Travel to / from Constance
Bike hire
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)
Bike helmet

Extras

Additional nights at the beginning or end of your trip
Bike hire

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

Equipment

The following bikes are available for hire:

Touring Bike: Speedsters, 27 gear derailleur, unisex with low step-through for 1.45m-1.90m / men’s bike from 1.75m

Hybrid Bike: Sporty seating position, 30-speed Shimano XT derailleur gears, Hydraulic disc brakes, Suspension seat post, Trapezoidal frame: suitable for body sizes from 1.60 m to 1.80 m, Diamond frame: suitable for body sizes from 1.80 m to 1.95 m

e-bike: 8-speed with freewheel and hub gears. Unisex frame, suitable for heights from 1.45m.

Tandem bikes: Reinforced frame. (Only available on the Constance Highlights tour)

Brand and model may vary depending on availability. Minimum age for ebike hire is 16yrs.

Please provide the following information on booking:

Your height for bike size

Bike Hire Inclusions:

Repair kit
A pannier bag
Handle bar bag with map holder
A lock
Water bottle holder
Battery charger (ebike only)

Please note that you must bring your own helmet.

Many people choose to hire an e-bike, as the battery-powered assistance can be helpful when needed. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than standard bicycles. For more information on how ebikes work click here.
Gravel/Road bikes are only recommended for experienced cyclists who understand the riding position and have the physical fitness needed for this style of biking.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour that you have suitable Travel Insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.