Lake Constance Cycle Path Highlights

6 Days & 5 Nights

4.7

Lake Constance Cycle Path Highlights

Ride Europe’s favourite cycle path, Lake Constance
Easy-going cycling through Austria, Germany and Switzerland
The 'Bavarian Riveria' with its magnificent castles and enchanting gardens
Medieval towns of Constance, Überlingen and Lindau
Enjoy lakeside beaches and alpine views

Cycle the highlights of Lake Constance on this shortened itinerary of Europe’s most popular cycling route. Known locally as Bodensee, follow the flatter sections of this easy going cycle path as you pedal through the medieval waterside towns and villages of Austria, Switzerland and Germany. From Constance, hop on a ferry across to the northern shore, pedalling through Germany’s Riviera to the island town of Lindau, renowned for its magnificent castles and enchanting gardens. Unwind with a lakeside picnic at one of the many beaches and soak up the far reaching Alpine views. Take a cable car up Austria’s Pfander Mountain in Bregenz and round it off with locally brewed German beer at one of the many harbour bars in Constance - Prost!

From £890.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Constance

Your cycling trip will begin in Constance, the largest town on Lake Constance and the town which gave the lake its name. It is a thriving university town and the unofficial capital of the region. You can spend the afternoon exploring the maze of little alleyways and squares or relax at its Mediterranean style 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

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.

Hotel Halm | 4 Star | Hotel

Stay at Hotel Halm, along the shores of the beautiful Lake Constance landscape with its rich culture. Built in 1874 stay in one of the town's most historic hotels. Today, history and modernity are combined in the Hotel Halm with its comfortable rooms, suites and the historic Hall - the heart of the hotel.

Day 2 Cycle to Friedrichshafen 29 miles / 47 km

Your first day’s cycling takes you north across to Wallhausen. From here you’ll hop on a boat across to Uberlingen See where you visit the ancient Lake Dwellings Museum. Cycling onwards through medieval Meersburg the final destination today is Friedrichshafen; here you will find the world's largest collection of aviation exhibitions at the Zeppelin Museum—well worth a visit!

Cycle: 35 km + boat trip

Ascent/descent: 91m/88m

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 Buchhorner Hof | 4 Star | Hotel

Stay in one of the oldest hotels in Friedrichshafen, Hotel Buchhorner Hof is steeped in tradition and the roots of the hotel go back to the 19th century. Located along the Lakeside promenade it is ideally situated for a post cycle stroll.

Hotel City-Krone | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel City-Krone is a 2-minute walk from Lake Constance. The rooms in the hotel come with satellite TV, a minibar and seating area, and all rooms offfer a private bathroom with hairdryer. A buffet breakfast is served every morning, and the hotel bar offers cocktails and features a summer terrace.

Seehotel Friedrichshafen | 4 Star | Hotel

Stay at Seehotel Friedrichshafen, located on the lakeside promenade of Lake Constance. Experience the incredible views from their roof terrace over the lake and Friedrichshafen. Sample the creations of their chefs in their restaurants "Bodega" and "Uferlos".

Day 3 Cycle to Lindau / Bregenz 22 miles / 35 km

Today you will cycle through sprawling orchards and vineyards towards the Bavarian town of Lindau, whose old town is a protected site and located on an island! After a few kilometres more you’ll cross the border into the Austrian town of Bregenz. If time permits you can take the cable car up Pfander mountain, (1,050m), for a fantastic vista of your entire route - a real achievement!

Cycle: 30—40 km depending on whether you're staying in Lindau or Bregenz

Ascent/descent: 19m/17m

Overnight Lindau

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 Germania | 4 Star | Hotel

Located in the heart of the city of Bregenz, the Hotel Germania is only a stone's throw away from Lake Constance, and boasts a sophisticated bar and restaurant in-house.

Hotel Lindauer Hof | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel Lindauer Hof is located on the island of Lindau on Lake Constance, and is a 2-minute walk from Lindau Harbour. Rooms at the hotel offer ammenities such as satelite TV, a desk and complimentary toiletries alongside a private en-suite bathroom. In their bright restaurant you can enjoy the terrace on the waterfront, offering regional fish dishes and wines from the region.

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 4 Cycle to Rorschach / Arbon 28 miles / 45 km

Before leaving today, take a stroll through the historic streets of Upper Bregenz. Departing by bike, you’ll soon cross the border into Altenrhein Switzerland where you view the colourful Hundertwasser Hall. The final ride of the day leads along the lake shore to your overnight stop in the Rorschah / Arbon region.

Cycle: 45 km—50 km depending on whether you are staying in Rorschach or Arbon

Ascent/descent: 30m/31m

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.

Frohsinn | Hotel

Stay in a typical Swiss half-timbered house. Gasthof Brauerei Frohsinn is located on the shores of Lake Constance in Arbon. The Frohsinn also has a brewery on-site and offers homemade Frohsinn Beer in the traditional beer cellar or on the terrace, which boasts lake views. Three on-site restaurants serve hearty local cuisine and drinks in the beer garden surrounded by 100-year-old chestnut trees.

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 5 Cycle to Constance 25 miles / 40 km

The last day of the cycle route allows you to visit the Swiss canton of Thurgau, a well known apple growing region. You can admire the small, neat villages and typical half-timbered houses as you cycle along the lakeshore back to Constance. If you have not already done so, visit Mainau island today.

Cycle: 30—50 km depending on whether you are departing from Arbon or Rorschach

Ascent/descent: 13m/12m

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 Halm | 4 Star | Hotel

Day 6 Onward travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 3kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 3kg is equivalent to 10 miles in a medium petrol car. 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.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This itinerary brings together easy-going shoreline cycling days, perfect for first-time or seasoned leisure cyclists. Between the historic towns and ports there are plenty of opportunities to take a break at one of the many lakeside beaches or viewpoints. Following a dedicated cycle route makes for easy cycling every day.

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: 5 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Short Break

Grade & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded easy. 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 route is mainly flat and along well-maintained cycle paths, quiet side roads and well-maintained nature trails. It is very well signposted all the way around.

Experience & Fitness

This cycling tour is ideal for beginners on their first cycling holiday, or for those who simply wish to take it easy. There's plenty of time to explore en route with the shorter distances and flat terrain. Sometimes there will be an occasional longer day, on almost completely flat terrain. The length of the daily rides varies between 30-50 km and the difference in daily elevation gain/loss lies between +13m/+91m and -12m/-88m.

Accommodation & Meals What's Included

Included

5 Nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
All Breakfasts
Baggage transfers (up to 20kg)
Entrance to Rosgarten museum (with a coffee)
Wallhausen to Uberlingen Boat Trip
Information pack and route notes with maps
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office and local partners

Excluded

Travel to / from Constance
Bike hire
Upgrade to an e-bike
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Visitor's/tourist tax
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights at the beginning or end of your trip
Bike hire
Upgrade to an e-bike

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

Equipment

You can rent comfortable unisex bikes with deep step-through frames, optionally with a 24-gear derailleur and rim brakes or 7 speed hub gears and back-pedal brakes. You can bring your own saddle if you wish. Hybrid, E bikes and tandem bikes can be rented, subject to availability.

All bikes come equipped with panniers, handlebar bag, adometer, bicycle lock, mini pump and puncture repair kit.

Please note that bike hire does not include a water bottle or helmet, you must bring your own.

If you would prefer to take your own bike, do let us know at the time of booking.

Travel Insurance

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