2025
Radurlaub am Bodensee

The Great Lake Constance Cycling Holiday

Holiday in three countries

Constance - Rhine Falls - Meersburg - Bregenz - St. Gallen - Constance

  • Radweg–Reisen Tour
  • Admission included: Pfahlbaumuseum, Zeppelin Museum and Pfänderbahn
  • Daily routes ●○○○○, altitude profile ●●○○○

Days
12

Ø km per day
35

With our great cycling vacation at Lake Constance you get an all-encompassing impression of the region. You will cycle from Bregenz to Schaffhausen, get to know the Appenzellerland and historic cities like Constance, Stein am Rhein and Meersburg. You will be swept away by the masses of water at the Rhine Falls, follow in Napoleon‘s footsteps, visit the flower island of Mainau, take boat trips on Lake Constance and discover the town where James Bond chased the screen villain across the Bregenz lake stage. The stages are chosen so that you can enjoy all the impressions. During the Lake Constance circumnavigation you will experience an active and enjoyable cycling vacation, which is easy to manage even for the inexperienced.

 

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    BO-B11
  • Accommodation level
    national 3* / 4* level
  • Duration
    12 days / 11 nights
  • Arrival days
    Daily
  • Travel documents languages
    German, English, Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish
  • Parking information
    Fenced parking lot near the Radweg-Reisen office in Constance, must be booked and paid for in advance.
    Parking garages (Fischmarkt, Dammgasse, Lago, Altstadt, Benediktinerplatz), costs approx. 25 € / day
    Hotel parking (available in individual hotels, subject to charge, details in the travel documents)
The Great Lake Constance Cycling Holiday

Day 1: Individual arrival in Constance

Your bike tour begins in Constance, the largest city on Lake Constance. 600 years ago, it was the scene of the church council and the only papal election north of the Alps. The Rhine flows out of Lake Constance here is the kilometer zero on its way to the North Sea. A few minutes walk from the medieval old town is the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen with its lively harbor.

 

Island hotel, Constance

Island hotel, Constance

Day 2: Constance – Reichenau Island – Stein am Rhein / Gailingen, approx. 35 / 25 km + boat trip

This stage takes you to the island of Reichenau. Its monastery was truly influential in the 10th century as such it was declared a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in 2001. Take a boat to the town of Gaienhofen and cycle along the Höri peninsula. Here you will cross the green border to the small Swiss town of Stein am Rhein with its picturesque historic old town. You then continue your trip crossing the border to the small German town of Gailingen.

 

Gate, Stein am Rhein

Gate, Stein am Rhein

Day 3: Excursion to the Rhine Falls, approx. 30 / 50 km

A tour to the Rhine Falls is an essential part of any bike tour along the lower Lake. Remain on the northern shore of the Rhine and follow its course to the city of 171 oriels, Schaffhausen. The Rhine Falls are nearby and you will get even closer to them on your boat trip. Laufen Castle towers high above the thundering waterfall, offering a unique view of the surrounding area from its Känzeli. In the afternoon, you return to Gailingen by bike.

 

Rhine Falls, Schaffhausen

Rhine Falls, Schaffhausen

Day 4: Gailingen – Constance, approx. 40 / 30 km

The path runs past numerous picturesque Swiss fishing villages through the peaceful rural landscape of lower Lake. Napoleon's stepdaughter, Hortense de Beauharnais made her home here. You can visit her former residence in Arenenberg. Today it is home to the Napoleonic Museum, which offers a beautiful view of the island of Reichenau.

 

Minister, Constance

Minister, Constance

Day 5: Constance – Mainau Island – Radolfzell, approx. 30 km

Today you will explore the flower island of Mainau (not included), a paradisiac island with lush, colorful seas of flowers, redwood trees towering high into the sky, shady groves and fragrant rose bushes. A short bike trip takes you in the direction of Allensbach, known for the German empirical research institute, to the old imperial city and modern-day Kneipp spa town of Radolfzell.

 

upper city gate, Radolfzell

upper city gate, Radolfzell

Day 6: Radolfzell – Uhldingen / Meersburg, approx. 35 / 40 km

Today you cycle across the peninsula Bodanrück which divides the Lake Constance into the upper and lower Lake also known as Überlinger Lake. In Stahringen just behind Radolfzell reach Lake Überlingen at Bodman, the old imperial palace. You cycle along the shore to the former imperial town of Überlingen with its Gothic cathedral and famous lakeside promenade. The route continues towards Meersburg. Here you will pass the baroque pilgrimage church of Birnau and the reconstructed lakeside dwellings near Uhldingen.

 

Birnau, Uhldingen

Birnau, Uhldingen

Day 7: Meersburg – Friedrichshafen, approx. 25 / 20 km

Meersburg awaits you with a variety of sights. Visit the oldest inhabited castle in Germany, the last residence of the poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, the New Palace with its magnificent staircase by Balthasar Neumann and the market square. Accompanied by the most beautiful Alpine panorama, you cycle to Friedrichshafen in order to visit the Zeppelin Museum.

Zeppelin Museum, Friedrichshafen

Zeppelin Museum, Friedrichshafen

Day 8: Friedrichshafen – Bregenz, approx. 40 km

Today you will first pass through Langenargen and its pretty Moorish-style Montfort Castle. You then continue on the Lake Constance bike path cycling past apple orchards until you reach the Bavarian town of Lindau. The old historic city center is located on a peninsula whose harbor is guarded by a 6 m tall lion. Soon after, you will arrive in the festival city of Bregenz. The imaginative stage on the lake is an eyeturner at any time of year! If you like, take the train up to the Pfänder mountain. It is Bregenz's local mountain here you will enjoy the fantastic view over Lake Constance in the evening!

Harbor, Bregenz

Harbor, Bregenz

Day 9: Bregenz – St. Gallen, approx. 50 km + train ride

If you couldn't find the time yesterday take the chance to float to the summit of the Pfänder today. If you fancy a speedy descent, simply take your bike with you on the train!
You then cycle towards Fußach, where you reach the Alpenrhein. Follow the river to Altstätten. Here you get on the train and ride up into Appenzellerland region to Gais. The route takes you through a picture-book Swiss landscape to St. Gallen. The city is famous for its ancient monastery and its library. Enjoy the beautiful old town and visit the baroque abbey library.

Chapel, St. Gallen

Chapel, St. Gallen

Day 10: Stay in St. Gallen

Today you have the opportunity to leave your bike behind during. Explore St. Gallen! The library of the collegiate church is unique in the world. Manuscripts from the early Middle Ages can be found in the breathtaking, baroque rooms. A short bike tour or a hike is also a good idea. The nearby Appenzell region is synonymous with picture-book Switzerland - grazing cows on green hills with snow-capped peaks on the horizon.

 

Monastery, St. Gallen

Monastery, St. Gallen

Day 11: St. Gallen – Constance, approx. 45 km

You cycle pleasantly downhill to Arbon where you will reach Lake Constance. You then continue your bike tour through neat Swiss villages and apple orchards to Constance. Take a break along the way at one of the numerous cafés or just jump into the water. At the end, there is still time for a visit to the Rosgarten Museum or to drift through Constance's historic city center.

 

urban park, Constance

urban park, Constance

Day 12: Individual departure

After breakfast your Great Lake Constance Cycling holiday has reached its end. We are happy to extend your stay at Lake Constance with additional nights.

Landing stage, Allensbach

Landing stage, Allensbach

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and Prices 2025

Arrival daily from 09.04.2025 to 03.10.2025Early booking discount: -20 €

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Season A
09.04.
03.10.
from1499 €
Season B
10.04. - 15.04.
23.04. - 25.04.
04.05. - 09.05.
21.09. - 02.10.
from1749 €
Season C
16.04. - 22.04.
26.04. - 03.05.
10.05. - 23.05.
22.06. - 04.07.
24.08. - 20.09.
from1999 €
Season D
24.05. - 21.06.
05.07. - 23.08.
from2149 €

All prices per person in a double room

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Services

  • 11 nights with breakfast, national 3* / 4* level
  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / item
  • Admission to the Constance Rose Garden Museum incl. coffee
  • Boat trip Reichenau - Gaienhofen incl. bike
  • Boat trip to the Rhine Falls rock
  • Admission to the lakeside dwelling museum in Unteruhldingen
  • Admission to the Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen
  • Cable car ride with the Pfänderbahn excl. bike 
  • Altstätten - Gais train ride incl. bike
  • Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
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Not included:

  • Admission to Mainau Island
  • Tourist tax, if payable
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Children discounts

discount-icon discount-icon-joystick

From 12 to 17 years

-25%

All prices are per person

Applies for accommodation in rooms with 2 full-paying guests.

Due to the more challenging sections, we recommend this tour for young people only in good physical condition.

 

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Additional services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room

499 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Price
Constance
 DBL

99 €

 SGL

139 €

All prices are per person

The prices for additional nights in other places can be found in the booking form.

 

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Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
27-Gear Rental Bike
99 €
30-gear rental bike
30-Gear Rental Bike
169 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
269 €
Teenager's bike
Teenager's bike
49 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 27-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men’s bikes from 1.75 m)
  • 30-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men’s bikes from 1.80 m)
  • Electric bike / Pedelec with freewheel (minimum age 16 years)
  • Teenager's bike (26 inch)
Fittings

Pannier, handlebar bag, milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit

Here you find further information and pictures of our rental bikes.

Cycle path travel 27-gear unisex
27-gear unisex bike derailleur gears with freewheel
Cycle path travel 27-gear men
27-gear men's bike derailleur gears with freewheel
Cycle path travel 30-gear unisex
30-gear unisex bike derailleur gears with freewheel, trapezoidal frame
Cycle path travel 30-gear men's bike
30-gear men's bike derailleur gears with freewheel, diamond frame
Cycle path travel e-bike
Unisex e-bike, 8-gear hub gears, freewheel
Cycle path travel youth bike
26 inch youth bike

27-gear rental bike

99 €

30-gear rental bike

169 €

Electric bike / Pedelec

269 €

Teenager's bike

49 €

All prices are per person

Route profile

  • Start / Destination
    Constance
  • Length
    approx. 325 km
    Stage length ●●○○○
    between 20 and 50 km, Ø 35 km
    Altitude profile ●●○○○
    between 40 and 340 m, Ø 170 m elevation gain
  • Tour operated by
    Radweg-Reisen
  • Mobility note
    The trip is only partially suitable for people with limited mobility.
    Just contact us regarding your individual needs.

Days
12

Ø km per day
35