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Bordered by three countries - Germany, Switzerland and Austria - is Europe's third largest lake, Lake Constance. Thanks to its mainly flat terrain the cycle path around Lake Constance is ideal for more leisurely cycling making it an ideal route for families. If your interest however is in clocking up the kilometres and having a good ride out with the opportunity to visit three countries in three days, this trip is hard to look past. Formed by the Rhine Glacier during the Ice Age, Lake Constance consists of three bodies of water: the Obersee (Upper Lake), the Untersee (Lower Lake), and a connecting stretch of the Rhine called the Seerhein. On this circular cycle around the lake you will visit the medieval towns of Constance, Stein, Meersburg and Lindau all while enjoying the amazing landscape of the lake against the stunning backdrop of the glorious Alps. During the ride you have time to soak up the atmosphere in the picturesque towns lining the lakes shore with opportunities to swim and kayak during the warmer months
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27kg of CO2-e PP per day
(108kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Constance (Konstanz)
Located on the banks of Lake Constance (Bodensse in German), the compact University town is an ideal starting point for your five day trip. On arrival make your way to the joining hotel where you will receive your route notes, maps. Later you can visit Mainau island or stroll through the old town of Constance. The aquariums in the Sea Life Centre and the Archaeological Museum are also recommended.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Cycle via medieval Stein am Rhein and return to Constance (75km/46.6mi)
The cycle begins along the Gnadensee to the former imperial town of Radolfzell, now a spa resort. Continue through the beautiful countryside along the Höri peninsula where the writer Hermann Hesse and the artist Otto Dix once lived. En route you will visit the charming village of Stein am Rhein. The route then continues along the Swiss shores of the lake back to Constance.
Meals: B
Day 3
Ferry to the German side, cycle to Lindau or Bregenz, Austria (50 or 65km/31 or 40.5mi)
This morning take the car ferry to Meersburg to commence your cycle, passing the elegant pilgrimage Birnau church, built in the Baroque style, and the reconstructed lake dwellings in Uhldingen. Cycling through vineyards, you reach Friedrichshafen, home of the Zeppelin, where we recommend visiting the museum and harbour. The tour continues past fields of orchards to the Bavarian town of Lindau, an island town. Next, you cycle along Bregenz bay with the Alps looming in the background, to finally reach today's destination. Overnight in Bregenz (65km) or (dependent on availability) Lindau (50km).
Day 4
Cycle along the Swiss side of the lake to return to Constance (85 or 70km/43.5mi)
The start of today’s tour will lead you through the Rhine delta, an important nature conservation area and where the Alpine Rhine (Alpenrhein) flows into Lake Constance. Near Altenrhein you will cross over the border to Switzerland, where you will find the market hall; the last building of the artist Friedrich Hundertwasser. You will cycle to Constance mainly through orchards and the small towns of Arbon and Romanshorn. This stretch which is almost always right at the lakeside, is flat and easy to cycle unless you have a strong westerly wind. You will frequently pass places where you can go swimming and refresh yourself in the lovely cool waters of the lake. Overnight stay in Constance/Kreuzlingen.
Day 5
Trip concludes
The trip concludes this morning in Constance.
What's included
What's not included
During the trip you will be provided with a 10 speed unisex rental bike with handbrakes. You will also receive a pannier to carry your gear for the day, along with a handlebar bag, bike computer, lock and repair kit. Helmets are not supplied locally but are mandatory on all bike tours, so you will need to bring your own well-fitted helmet. In the case of a puncture the assumption is that you can repair. You will be given a puncture repair kit, to fix the issue.
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedalling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 12 years and a minimum height requirement is 148cm / 4ft10in.
GRADE 4 - During the three days of cycling the daily routes are between 50 and 85 kilometres/31 to 49.5 miles. The first stage is moderately hilly in the Höri region, otherwise the route is mainly even along tarred cycle paths. The path runs partially along the lakeshore and partially along lakeshore roads. Sporadically there are short, unsealed sections. Around Friedrichshafen the cycle path runs parallel to the highway. The lakeshore is mostly open to the public. In order to prepare for this trip you will need to be comfortable cycling for extended periods, sometimes with traffic around you (sometimes unavoidable going in to and leaving towns).
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.
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8Days
Moderate to Challenging
14Days
Moderate