Cycling vacation along the Rhine

Your cycling vacation along the Rhine begins in Constance, the largest city on Lake Constance. The actual kilometer count of the Rhine begins at the old Rhine bridge in the Council City.. Explore the historic old town and enjoy the view of the Alps and the seemingly endless Lake Constance from the harbour.

Your first day of cycling begins with a transfer to Splügen in the Swiss canton of Grisons (Graubünden). You set off along the Hinterrhein with plenty of momentum. On the way, you will pass the impressive Roflaschlucht and the Viamala, which were carved into the rock by the waters of the Rhine. You have reached your stage destination in the small town of Bonaduz.

You will get to know the fascinating landscape of the Ruinaulta on an excursion by train to the monastery village of Disentis and a subsequent cycle tour through the Vorderrheintal valley. The approximately 13-kilometre-long gorge was formed around 10,000 years ago after a huge landslide. From one of the viewing platforms, you can enjoy a sweeping view of the gorge. You spend the night again in Bonaduz.

From Bonaduz, you follow the course of the Alpine Rhine. You cycle through Chur, the oldest town in Switzerland. The destination of today's stage of your cycling vacation along the Rhine is Vaduz. The capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein impresses with a stately castle that towers high above the town. It is inhabited by the princely family.

From Liechtenstein, you first cycle to Feldkirch in Austria. Take a coffee break in the medieval old town and visit Schattenburg Castle before cycling along the Alpine Rhine towards the Rhine delta and Lake Constance. Now following the Swiss shore of Lake Constance, you cycle to Arbon. The town can look back on more than 5,500 years of history, which is still visible in many corners today.

With a view of Lake Constance, you cycle to Romanshorn. Enjoy a little refreshment at the harbour and watch the ferries depart for Friedrichshafen. On your way to Constance, you will have the opportunity to cool off in the water again and again. After arriving in Constance, leave your bike and take another stroll through the old town. A visit to Rosgartenmuseum is highly recommended.

The second week of our cycling vacation along the Rhine continues to be rich in variety. From Constance, you follow the lake and High Rhine and reach Stein am Rhein with its picturesque old town. Continue to your destination for the day, Schaffhausen, whose landmark, the Munot fortress, can be seen from afar. At the end of the day, take a stroll through the town and listen to the Munotglöggli bell, which is rung every evening at 9 p.m.

If you didn't visit the Rhine Falls on yesterday's stage day, you have the opportunity to do so today. It is one of the largest waterfalls in Europe. If you would like to get closer to the thundering masses of water, take a boat trip that takes you very close to the Rhine Falls. Continue along the High Rhine to Waldshut-Tiengen, your destination for the day.

From Waldshut-Tiengen, you follow the High Rhine and get to know the Trompeterstadt (town of trumpet players) Bad Säckingen on the way. In Rheinfelden, you can shorten the stage to Basel with a train ride (not included) – just as you like. In the border triangle, the highest density of museums in Switzerland and the impressive Basel Minster await you in Basel. Located directly on the Rhine, the towers of the dark red sandstone building offer memorable views as far as the Black Forest.

You leave the city of culture and get to know the Markgräflerland region away from the Upper Rhine, which is characterized by magnificent vineyards and rolling hills. You reach Müllheim, the wine capital of the region. Learn more about the history of viticulture at the Markgräfler Museum. Badenweiler is just a few kilometers away. Visit the thermal baths there, whose warm springs were already used by the Romans. You will spend the night in Müllheim or Badenweiler.

You will cycle to Freiburg via Bad Krozingen and Schallschadt. With the Bächle-Stadt, you will get to know Germany's southernmost city, which boasts a beautiful old town. Freiburg's landmark is the cathedral, from whose tower you have a wonderful view of the city. Treat yourself to an ice cream on the cathedral square, stroll through the winding alleyways and sample the Baden cuisine with its full-bodied wines in the evening.

From Freiburg, you cycle back to the Rhine. Breisach Minster will catch your eye from afar. Inside the church, numerous art treasures from different eras tell of Breisach's eventful history. Heading towards Kaiserstuhl, you will reach Vogtsburg. The small town is one of the largest wine-growing communities in Baden-Württemberg. You will spend the night in Breisach, in Vogtsburg or in Vogelgrun on the French side of the Rhine.

Your cycling vacation today takes you to the other side of the Rhine in France. You are heading to Alsace, known for its vineyards and eventful history. You have reached your excursion destination in the small town of Colmar. Pretty half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and canals characterize the old town. Enjoy a typical Alsatian tarte flambée and a glass of Gewürztraminer wine before you cycle back to your overnight stay.

Today you cycle through romantic wine-growing villages, historic town centers and varied landscapes almost without any inclines. First you cycle along the Rhine. You reach Ettenheim via Sasbach and Riegel am Kaiserstuhl. The Baroque town awaits you with its tranquil flair, pretty half-timbered houses and picturesque alleyways. At the end of the day, you can enjoy a glass of fine wine from the surrounding vineyards.

Your cycling vacation along the Rhine takes you to the trade fair and media city of Offenburg. Here you have the opportunity to take a detour to Strasbourg in Alsace, the capital of Europe. The impressive cathedral, the tanners' quarter and the medieval old town are absolute eye-catchers. Stop off at one of the many winstubs, which will spoil you with Alsatian wines and delicacies, before returning to Offenburg.

On the edge of the Rhine plain, the cycle path winds through wide fields past orchards and vineyards. You reach the Baden-Baden district of Oos. From here, it is worth making a detour to the center of the spa town once known as the summer capital of Europe. The route continues to Rastatt via Knöpflestadt Kuppenheim. You have reached your stage destination in the former royal seat with its impressive baroque buildings. Rastatt's landmark is the 17th-century residential palace of the Margraves of Baden-Baden.

On your cycling vacation, you will once again come across the Rhine. You cycle through idyllic meadow landscapes to the fan-shaped royal seat of Karlsruhe. At the center of the fan are Karlsruhe Palace and the extensive palace park. Those interested in culture can visit the Badisches Landesmuseum, which is housed in the building. Ettlingen is your destination for the day. Take an evening stroll through the historic center of the picturesque small town with its time-honored half-timbered houses and townhouses.

Your cycling vacation along the Rhine takes you to Rhineland-Palatinate today. With the old imperial city of Speyer, you not only reach your stage destination, but also one of the oldest cities in Germany. The impressive cathedral will immediately attract your attention. It probably dates back to the 11th century and is one of the largest Romanesque churches in the world. From the south-west tower, you have a beautiful panoramic view over Speyer and the surrounding area.

On the last stage of your cycling vacation, you bid farewell to the Rhine. You first cycle through the Rhine plain to Schwetzingen. The palace there was given its magnificent appearance in the 17th and 18th centuries. In addition to a palace theater, an orangery and a bathhouse, the extensive palace grounds impress with their artistically designed gardens. Your destination, the renowned university city of Heidelberg, is now not far away.

You can pend this day the way you please. Visit the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, the city's landmark. Built from red sandstone, it is a masterpiece of German Renaissance architecture and stands prominently above the Old Town. On the opposite bank of the Neckar, the Philosophenweg not only offers a fantastic view of the city, but also Mediterranean flair with its exotic plants.

After breakfast, your cycling vacation on the Rhine comes to an end. We are happy to extend your stay with an extra night.