Travel report: Lake Constance tour in September 2021

Barbara and Jürgen have considered at the beginning of the year to complete a multi-day cycling tour. In this context, we came across Radweg-Reisen and the Lake Constance Tour and spent a very nice week in this region. Of course, the weather also plays a decisive role in a bike tour, but we were very lucky overall!

The tour consisted of five daily stages, whereby we changed the 2nd stage a bit (see below). We were on the road with our own e-bikes and could therefore easily manage the individual stages without "distance problems" (the stages were all between 40 and 55 kilometers). The main location was the very beautiful city of Constance, where we stayed the first three nights and the 6th night at the ABC Hotel. The hotel is located in the Petershausen district and the old town is a good 10 minute walk away. The hotel has a good middle class standard and is well suited for cycling vacationers.

1st stage (Reichenau Island, ferry to Gaienhofen, via Switzerland back to Constance).
Weather: overcast, cool and in the morning some drizzle

We ride directly from the hotel on the Lake Constance cycle path to the island of Reichenau (approx. 30-40 minutes) and can visit a small chapel on the way on a hill before reaching the ferry port. After half an hour on the ship we reach Gaienhofen. From there we continue along the lake in the direction of Stein am Rhein (CH), where it is worthwhile to take a break and visit the historic town. We especially liked the old buildings and city towers. After crossing the Rhine, we head back to Constance on the Lake Constance bike path via smaller towns almost always close to the shore. This bike path is not only flat, but it also goes sometimes "up and down", but all well doable ...!

2nd stage (originally around Lake Überlingen); we chose the following route: Mainau Island, ferry from Wallhausen to Überlingen, then to Meersburg and back to Constance by ferry.
Weather: much better: dry, sun with clouds

We went to Mainau Island in the morning, about 6 to 7 kilometers from Constance and spent about 2 to 3 hours on the flower island. The island was not so crowded now, so it was easy to walk around all areas. In the afternoon we continued on the Bodensee-Radweg to Wallhausen (about 8 to 9 kilometers) and there we took the ferry to Überlingen (about 15 minutes).
Überlingen also has a very beautiful old town with a large church, which is worth visiting. The market place invites you for a coffee or snack break. Continuing on the bike path, we went via Uhldingen (pile dwelling houses with museum) to Meersburg, where you can reach the ferry port (direction Constance) directly at the entrance to the town. We wanted to visit the island of Mainau and therefore cycled a shortened day stage (total about 28 kilometers). But in our opinion, it was well worth it.

3rd stage (Constance to Nonnenhorn)
Weather: dry and mostly sunny

Today we leave Constance with the ferry towards Meersburg to begin the first part to circumambulate the Obersee (just under 50 kilometers). For us the most beautiful part of the bike trip, because a) you drive on very beautiful bike paths (mostly near the shore) and b) the landscape ist excellent with the mountains in Austria and Switzerland in the background. From Meersburg we cycle via Hagnau and Immenstaad to Friedrichshafen. There it is worthwhile to linger at the very beautiful and extensive waterfront promenade. If you climb up the lookout tower at the harbor (height 22 meters) you have a great view of the city and the shore areas. We did not find the city center particularly interesting, with the exception of the castle church. From Friedrichshafen we continue via Langenargen and Kressbronn to Nonnenhorn. One passes very beautifully situated lidos, which unfortunately were already closed for the season. In Nonnenhorn we spent the night in the hotel-guesthouse "Zur Kapelle". A likewise good "location" with outside catering trade, which is to be recommended. Furthermore, we also liked the shore and harbor area, because there was a mobile beach restaurant were we could enjoy the sunset.

Stage 4 (Nonnenhorn to Rorschach [CH])
Weather: dry and also mostly sunny

We start in Nonnenhorn and cycle via Wasserburg to the first destination of the day: the picturesque town of Lindau. Here, a stroll through the old town and harbor on the offshore island with the old seaport and the many town houses and half-timbered houses is worthwhile. Then we continue towards Bregenz and pass the German-Austrian border almost unnoticed shortly before Lochau. In Bregenz, in our opinion, the shore area with the lake stage is also more worth seeing than the city center. The route from Bregenz to Altenrhein (CH) also leads partly inland, among other things through the Rhine delta, where you can/should ride along well-maintained agricultural roads and enjoy pure nature.
At Altenrhein, the border crossing also takes place almost unnoticed. Furthermore, a visit to the market hall designed by Friedrich Hundertwasser in Altenrhein is worthwhile. The building is only somewhat inconveniently located at a busy intersection. From there to Rorschach it is also only a few kilometers. The hotel is okay, but is located directly on the main road or to the rear directly on the railroad line; very friendly staff and in the restaurant you can satisfy your hunger well. Nevertheless, perhaps a more beautifully situated overnight accommodation can be found.

5th stage (Rorschach to Konstanz)
Weather: only super sunny and thus warmest day of the week

The last stage is then in this weather to enjoy and it is just under 40 kilometers back to Constance. Here, in our opinion, a visit to the town of Arbon is more worthwhile than Romanshorn, but there is a very nice waterfront. Before you reach Constance, you pass through the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen, which is directly connected to Constance. Here you pass the border to Germany again. We spent the Friday afternoon in the beautiful student city of Constance. The bike path runs mainly near the shore or along the railroad line on very nice bike paths.