dossier

Lake Constance Cycling

Day 1 - Arrive in Bregenz
You arrive at your hotel – a historic coaching inn – in the centre of Bregenz. Explore the ancient cobbled streets of the old town before dinner on the courtyard terrace.

Day 2 - Bregenz to Horn 23km/14mi-37km/23mi
Stunning views of the snow-capped Alpine peaks this morning as you cycle west along Lake Constance’s southern shore before crossing the mighty Rhine delta that straddles the border between Austria and Switzerland. It’s an area of great natural beauty and a refuge for wildlife - keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers in the reeds. Your final stretch takes you in and out of shady oak woods and onto the sleepy lakeside village of Horn where you’ll spend the next two nights.

Day 3 - In Horn
Hop on the bus (option to take your bike too), for the 20 minute ride to historic St Gallen - a bustling market town packed with C18 merchants’ houses and open air restaurants. Explore the C8 Benedictine Abbey’s fabulous UNESCO library, then blow the cobwebs away by freewheeling back down to the lakeside. There are lots of swimming possibilities, and it’s easy waterfront cycling back to the hotel.

Day 4 - Horn to Steckborn 21km/13mi-53km/33mi
Pedalling clockwise around the lake, you’ll soon come to Arbon’s half-timbered houses and C16 castle. Continuing on through sweet-smelling apple orchards, you’ll pass numerous postcard-pretty, waterfront villages affording lots of panoramic sun terraces for lunch. In the afternoon, you coast effortlessly between sleepy harbours, the white sails from the boats reflecting brightly on the clear blue waters.

Day 5 - In Steckborn
Schaffhausen, a lively German town full of street theatre in the summer, is ideal for a day trip. It is great for shopping, and has riverside cycle paths to Schloss Laufen – a tiny castle perched precariously above the tumbling cascade of the Rheinfalls waterfall – the biggest in Europe! If you don’t fancy cycling back simply hop onto one of the elegant wooden passenger cruisers back upriver to Steckborn. 

Day 6 - Steckborn to Konstanz 25km/16mi-56km/35mi
Freewheeling south this morning, you’ll soon arrive at mediaeval Stein Am Rhein with its C11 monastery, beautiful frescoed square and lovely chocolate shops! You cross the river here to enter Germany. Over the border, look out for cormorant and red crested pochard in the Hornstaad Nature Reserve. It’s then onto Konstanz – a bustling town and unofficial capital of the region.

Day 7 - In Konstanz
You could easily spend the day exploring the narrow streets of Konstanz: visit the Altstadt, Munster and lively centre crammed with quirky shops and museums. Alternatively hop on a boat to visit Mainau Island’s Palace and landscaped rose gardens. If you take your bike, you can pedal back at leisure along traffic-free lakeside cycle paths.

Day 8 - Konstanz to Langenargen 18km/11mi-34km/21mi
It is a short ride through oak forest to catch the 20 minute ferry ride (included) to fairytale Meersburg with its twin castles, steep streets and hillsides of vines. Then, pedalling south, it’s like stepping back in time as you pass farmers in trilby hats and waistcoats threshing hay in the poppy-dusted wheat fields! A gentle coast through the Eriskirche reed marshes takes you into pretty Langenargen and your marina hotel.

Day 9 - In Langenargen
You have some superb wine tasting opportunities on your doorstep today - local Müller-Thurgau wines come from riesling and silvaner grapes for which Lake Constance is famous. Or visit Friedrichschafen’s amazing Zeppelin Museum. The zeppelin was invented here, and the museum is full of fascinating knickknacks, including an original menu and wine list from the Hindenburg! 

Day 10 - Langenargen to Bregenz 12km/8mi-25km/16mi
Your final days cycling takes you through peaceful vineyards and cherry orchards en route to lovely Lindau, a gorgeous island village surrounded by cobalt blue waters with long distance views of razor-edged peaks across the lake. Lots of idyllic choices for lunch then, keeping the lake at your side, a final
swoosh takes you back down to Bregenz. We recommend that you take the cable car up Pfander mountain, (1,050m), for a fantastic vista of your entire route – stand back and soak up the panorama!

Day 11 - Depart
You catch the train back to Zurich after breakfast for your flight home.