Travel report: The classic Lake Constance bike tour

From our guest Klaus

View of Lake Constance

Five cycling stages around Lake Constance. Wonderful impressions of Lake Constance, the area and the localities made the week an unforgettable experience.

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The first day led from Konstanz to Gailingen, located on the Hochrhein. Starting in Constance, the route crosses to the Swiss side after a few kilometers. Along Untersee, the Lake Constance bike path leads through fruit and vegetable growing areas, but largely with Lake Constance in view. The area here is agricultural. You should definitely make a stop in the small Swiss town of Stein am Rhein. Here, it's worth taking a look at the picturesque old town, which impresses with its magnificent facade paintings. In Stein am Rhein, the Rhine leaves Lake Constance. Along the banks of the Rhine, the route now continues to the stage destination. After crossing a larger forest area, we pass the green state border to Germany on good bike paths and reach the town of Gailingen a little later. Here the Rhine bridge in Gailingen, a covered Pfahljoch bridge, is a sight to see. The bridge connects the village of Gailingen with the Swiss town of Diessenhofen.

The Rhine bridge in Gailingen
The Rhine bridge in Gailingen

 

The second stage stretches from Gailingen to Überlingen. The route covers about 70 kilometers. The first section takes us back to Stein am Rhein (10 kilometers). On the German side along the north bank, the cycle path leads us to Radolfzell. Beautifully landscaped lido's, tranquil villages and marinas line the bike path and give an impressive impression of the Lake Constance region.
Once in Radolfzell, we leave Lake Constance for about 20 kilometers and head inland. The reason for this is the crossing of a headland that leads us from Untersee to Überlinger See. This section has some minor inclines, but they are easy to master. In addition, the impressions of the surroundings sweeten the effort. But then we reach Lake Constance again. Via Ludwigshafen and Sipplingen we reach the destination Überlingen, the host town of the State Garden Show 2021.

View of the lake Überlingen
View of the lake Überlingen


The third day then takes us along the eastern side of Lake Constance to Lindau (approx. 60 kilometers). Shortly after Überlingen, it is worth visiting the impressive monastery church in Birnau. In addition, there is a magnificent panoramic view over Lake Constance. The route continues to Unteruhldingen. Here you can visit the pile dwellings. Huts built on piles reflect the everyday life of thousands of years ago. Imposing and impressive the history of former life. The tour continues along the shores of Lake Constance to Meersburg. Here the lake can be seen in its full size and the panorama with the view of the Alps is fascinating. Here the upper lake of Lake Constance replaces the lower lake. Meersburg itself also impresses with a beautiful old town and invites you to linger. From Meersburg, the tour continues through wine-growing areas and beautiful shoreline passages to Friedrichshafen. Friedrichshafen has a wonderful waterfront promenade and literally invites you to take a break here. The Zeppelin Museum on the promenade is also worth a visit. We then continue via Nonnenhorn and Wasserburg to Lindau in Bavaria, our stage destination. Lindau impresses with its wonderfully designed seaport. But the narrow streets in the city center and the Old Town Hall also exude a special flair for this city.

Lindau
Lindau


The fourth day then brings us to the Swiss town of Arbon (approx. 55 kilometers). Directly along the shore of Lake Constance, we reach the city of Bregenz after 10 kilometers. The bike route leads us directly to the lake stage, which is famous for international performances. Unfortunately, a visit was not possible due to construction work for a performance. Nevertheless, an imposing structure that you have to see.
Bregenz, by the way, offers a beautiful view over the entire Lake Constance. This view is granted to you if you take the time to let yourself be brought to the top station with the Pfänder panorama gondola. In addition to Lake Constance, the view offers an impressive overview of the Alpine peaks of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The tour continues via Rorschach to the stage destination Arbon, located directly on Lake Constance. During a tour of the town, you will find many historic buildings that date back to the Middle Ages.
The hotels located directly on the shores of Lake Constance with their terraces, which literally force you to stop and enjoy the flair of this area, are beautiful.

Arbon
Arbon

 

On the fifth and last day of our bike tour, we head from the Swiss town of Arbon back to Constance. This stage covers about 35 kilometers and runs mostly along Lake Constance. A stopover is worthwhile in Romanshorn, where the harbor facilities deserve to be looked at. It is also worth making a detour to the Autobau Erlebniswelt. Here in Romanshorn, expensive and noble automobiles are exhibited by a Swiss racing driver. The car museum is located almost directly on the Lake Constance bike path.
The last 20 kilometers of this day tour lead through scenic areas before the destination of the round trip Constance is reached again.

The Asco fountain in Romanshorn
The Asco fountain in Romanshorn

Conclusion:

The expectations of this bike tour were far exceeded. Scenically, an area that deserves to be marveled at. The Lake Constance bike path leads wonderfully around Lake Constance. One rarely loses sight of Lake Constance and when one does, one is reconciled by gloriously different views.
This bike tour is easy to recommend and the nice thing is, even with conventional bicycles (without assistance) very well to master. Only a few passages require a strong step in the pedal. The travel documents provided were also excellently prepared and a great accompanying material, in terms of route guidance and highlights along the way. The great round around Lake Constance will remain in our very good memories for a long time.