Cycling vacation along the Rhine

Week 1: From Constance to the source of the Rhine and back

Your cycling vacation along the Rhine begins in Constance, the largest city on Lake Constance. In the city of the Council of Constance, the actual kilometre count of the Rhine begins at the old Rhine bridge with the so-called Rhine kilometre 0. Explore the historic old town and enjoy the view of the Alps from the harbour. Your first cycling day begins with a transfer to Splügen in the Swiss Grisons. On your cycling vacation along the Rhine, you will cycle along the Hinterrhein to Bonaduz. On the way, you will pass the impressive Roflaschlucht gorge and the Viamala, which were cut into the rock by the water masses of the Rhine. During an excursion by train to the monastery village of Disentis followed by a bicycle tour through the Vorderrhein valley, you will get to know the fascinating landscape of the Ruinaulta. From Bonaduz you follow the Alpine Rhine through Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland, and reach Vaduz. The capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein impresses with its stately castle. Your cycling vacation continues along the Rhine back to Lake Constance. On the Lake Constance cycle path you cycle comfortably via Rorschach and Arbon to Constance.

Week 2: From Constance to Offenburg

The second week of our cycling vacation along the Rhine is multi-faceted. From Constance, you follow the Lake and High Rhine and reach Stein am Rhein with its picturesque old town. Near Schaffhausen you will experience the Rhine Falls. On a boat trip you will get very close to the thundering waters of one of the largest waterfalls in Europe. Via Waldshut-Tiengen you follow the High Rhine and get to know the trumpeter town of Bad Säckingen on the way. In Rheinfelden you can shorten the stage to Basel with a train ride – just as you like. In the border triangle, the highest density of museums in Switzerland awaits you in Basel, as well as the impressive Basel Minster. Situated directly on the Rhine, the towers of the dark red sandstone building offer you memorable views all the way to the Black Forest. You leave the city of culture in a northerly direction and get to know the Markgräflerland region, characterised by vineyards and castles, away from the Upper Rhine. With Freiburg, you reach Germany's southernmost major city, which boasts a beautiful old town. On we go! Our cycling vacation takes you back to the Rhine. From Breisach you cycle through the region around the Kaiserstuhl, famous for its wines. Along the Black Forest, the baroque town of Ettenheim and the trade fair and media town of Offenburg present themselves to you.

Week 3: From Offenburg to Heidelberg

Your cycling vacation takes you across the Rhine to Strasbourg in Alsace, the capital of Europe. Absolute eye-catchers are the imposing cathedral, the tanners' quarter and the medieval old town. Stop off at one of the many winstubs, which will spoil you with Alsatian wines and delicacies, before returning to Offenburg. Via Rastatt you reach the fan-shaped baroque residential city of Karlsruhe. Visit the extensive palace gardens and the Baden State Museum before your way leads you to Ettlingen. From Ettlingen, the tour continues to Speyer. The old imperial city impresses with its imposing cathedral, the largest Romanesque church in the world. On the last stage of your cycling vacation, you say goodbye to the Rhine. You cycle through the Rhine plain via Schwetzingen to Heidelberg. The image of the renowned university town is dominated by the ruins of the world-famous Heidelberg Castle. Situated between the Neckar and the foothills of the Small Odenwald, the showpiece of German Renaissance architecture presents itself to you unmistakably above the old town. On the Philosophers' Path on the opposite bank of the Neckar, you will experience exotic plants and enjoy a fantastic view of the city. By transfer from Heidelberg you return to your starting point Constance.

Not included:

• city or visitor's tax (if payable)
• Train journey Rheinfelden – Basel, approx. 5 euros per person incl. bike
• Train journey Offenburg – Strasbourg – Offenburg, approx. 20 euros per person excl. bike