Lake Constance Circuit by Bike

Located on the banks of Lake Constance (Bodensee in German), the compact university town is an ideal starting point for your trip. On arrival make your way to the joining hotel where you will receive your route notes and maps. You can either collect your bike from our supplier which includes a fitting or (if requested) your bike can be delivered to the hotel, however no fitting provided. In the afternoon 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. Depending on availability you may start in Kreuzlingen, which is just across the Swiss border from Constance. If you start in Kreuzlingen you will also end the trip in the same hotel.

From Constance you cycle in a clockwise direction around the lake shores along the 'Gnadensee'. Your first stop is the former Imperial town of Radolfzell, now a spa resort. Its Gothic cathedral dominates the town and on the third Sunday in July, the 'Hausherrenfest' is celebrated to honour the local saints Theopont, Senesius and Zeno. The following day a Water Procession is held whereby residents from nearby Moos travel in richly decorated boats to Radolfzell to honour a historic oath. From here, you cross the 'Bodanrück' range of hills and encounter a short incline. Arriving at the 'Überlinger See', part of Lake Constance, you are rewarded for your efforts with beautiful views of the lake. In the evening you can enjoy a stroll along Überlingen's pretty promenade. Cat B: Ludwigshafen, Sipplingen or Überlingen - Cycle distance is 35-55km/22-34mi Cat A: Überlingen - Cycle distance is 45km/28mi

The route takes you along the upper lake to Unteruhldingen, where you can stop and visit the ancient lake dwellings. Next you will visit Meersburg with its beautiful old town and castle, towering stately over Lake Constance. Continuing on to Friedrichshafen where you overnight, you can visit the Dornier or Zeppelin Musuems.

Cycle through extensive orchards through Langenargen with its pretty Montfort Castle, built in the Moorish style. You will soon reach the Bavarian town of Lindau, whose harbour is watched over by a 6 metre high lion. Otherwise, continue onto the town of Bregenz for overnight accommodation.

From Lindau, continue on your way, you reach Bregenz, the capital of the Vorarlberg region of Austria. Or if staying in Bregenz you pick up the train onto Hochst where you soon cross the border again and then after a few km reach Rorschach or Arbon. Cat B: Lindau to Rorschach - cycling distance: 45-50km/27-31mi Cat A: Lindau to Arbon - cycling distance: 50km/31mil

Today takes you through Romanshorn, home to Switzerland's largest harbour on Lake Constance. You enjoy the day cycling along the banks of Lake Constance where you have the opportunity to stop for a swim, relaxing coffee or lunch break before arriving in Constance for your overnight stay.

Following the side of Lake Constance, you pedal to Stein am Rhein with its frescoed medieval houses. Switching several times between Germany and Switzerland, you reach the canton's capital Schaffhausen. The town is overlooked by Munot Fort. The tower contains the quarters of the Munot watchman, who by hand, rings the famous Munot bell for five minutes every evening at 9pm, just like in 1589.

After breakfast, cycle the short distance to the Rhine Falls, one of Europe's biggest waterfalls. In the middle of this mass of water are the Rhine Fall rocks which you can reach by boat. Cycling up the Rhine you go back to Stein am Rhein and then follow the Höri semi-peninsula, where the writer Hermann Hesse and the artist Otto Dix once lived. At Gaienhofen you board the ferry which takes you to the island of Reichenau. From there it's only a few kilometres back to Constance. Trip concludes. Extra nights in Constance can be booked, ask for details.