Overview
What to expect
Enjoy a week of easy family cycling along the upper and lower shores of Lake Constance, riding through Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Starting and finishing in the historic city of Constance, you’ll take a ferry across the lake and cycle along the eastern and southern shores on safe and well-marked cycle routes, sleeping in a different hotel each night.
Following the lakeshore for much of the way, you’ll pass green vineyards and orchards, with a backdrop of the shimmering Alps. At the start of your week, the stilt-houses at the Lake Dwelling Museum are a highlight, followed by the fairy-tale castle in Langenargen and the medieval walled town on Lindau island. After pedalling across the River Rhine and into Switzerland, the ancient chapels and half-timbered houses of Arbon are a good place for a break before you complete your loop by riding back to Constance.
At a glance
- Fairy tale castles, pre-historic stilt-houses and half-timbered buildings
- Multi-country tour of Germany, Austria and Switzerland
- Two boat trips and free entry to the Sea-Life Centre in Constance
- Family-friendly cycling along easy terrain with well-marked paths
The Trip
Route
Itinerary
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Day 1:
Arrive in Constance /Kreuzlingen
Arrive at your hotel in Constance or Kreuzlingen and, if there is time, take a stroll around Niederburg – the oldest part of the lake’s largest city.
NB This tour can start from any of the overnight stops
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Day 2:
Constance – Unteruhldingen / Meersburg
16/19 miles (25/30 km) plus ferry
Cycle along the shore from Constance to Wallhausen and take a boat to the city of Überlingen. Ride east to the Unteruhldingen Lake Dwelling Museum – a great place for families, with its reconstructed stilt houses and prehistoric relics. Overnight in Unteruhldingen or Meersburg.
Cycle mileage today depends on the location of your overnight accommodation.
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Day 3:
Unteruhldingen / Meersburg – Friedrichshafen
9/6 miles (15/10 km) plus ferry
Follow the lakeside cycle path to Immenstaad and take a ferry to the town of Friedrichshafen – almost completely rebuilt after WWII bombing, it has one of the lake’s longest waterfront promenades with stunning views of Austria, Switzerland and the Alps.
Cycle mileage today depends on the location of your overnight accommodation.
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Day 4:
Friedrichshafen – Lindau
19 miles (30 km)
Ride south through orchards towards the Bavarian town and island of Lindau, stopping for a break at Langenargen’s Moorish-style Montfort castle. Continue on a pretty route through the orchards to Lindau and relax in a waterfront café before exploring the historic island.
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Day 5:
Lindau – Rorschach / Arbon
25 miles (40 km)
Pedal along the shore to the Austrian city of Bregenz – in the lake’s far south, this much-loved city has excellent views, a smart harbour and a scenic promenade. Continue across the River Rhine, crossing the border into Switzerland and on to Rorschach or Arbon.
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Day 6:
Rorschach / Arbon - Constance / Kreuzlingen
25 miles (40 km)
Your final stage leads you out of the Rorschach region via the town of Romanshorn. Follow the lake shore, stopping to swim if you wish, back to Constance/Kreuzlingen where your tour includes free entry to the city’s Sea-Life Centre.
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Day 7:
Depart Constance/Kreuzlingen
Check out of your hotel after breakfast and make your way home or continue your holiday in Constance.
Accommodation
3* Hotels
We use a pool of a mix of 3* hotels to maximise our availability for this tour, so regardless of the time of year we do our best to secure your dates of choice. The accommodation often has a lovely local flair, with a chance to experience local life with an authentic flavour of your destination.
- 6 nights in 3* hotels
- Breakfast included
- Secure bike storage
- Luggage transferred each day
Dates & Prices
Please click on a departure date for price options at a glance
Price includes
- 6 nights accommodation in 3 star hotels
- Board basis: Bed and breakfast
- Luggage transport
- Maps and route information - GPS tracks available
- Local contact number for assistance
- Entrance to Rosgarten museum in Constance including a coffee
- Boat trip: Wallhausen - Überlingen (includes bike)
- Boat trip: Immenstaad - Friedrichshafen (includes bike)
- Entrance to Sea Life Centre in Constance
- Entrance to Lake Dwelling Museum in Unteruhldingen
Price excludes
- Flights and transfers
- Bike hire
- Cycle helmets
- Tourist tax (small charge, payable locally)
Child reductions on twin/double prices (3rd and 4th in room - 5-bedded rooms not available)
- Up to 5 years: 100%
- 6 to 13 years: 50%**
- 14 to 17 years: 25%**
**discount already applied on prices shown for triple and quad rooms - please enquire for other mixes of age groups
*Twin rooms often consist of one double bed with separate mattresses and bedding. Some hotels do have separate twin beds but these are exceptions
Bike Hire & Extras
Bike hire
Pannier, handlebar bag, repair kit, bike computer and lock all included at no extra cost when you hire a bike.
Child bike seats can be hired at no charge - please request at time of booking
24 or 7 gears with pannier
8 gears with pannier
20, 24 or 26 inch wheels
Minimum height 170cm
Extras
You can add these when you price your trip
Extra nights
News, Reviews & FAQs
FAQs
Simply click on a question to reveal the answers
Why are the hotels not listed in the itinerary?
We use a pool of hotels to maximise availability for you.
Customer reviews
What other customers have said
Been on this tour? Add your review!
We dealt with Jessica who was really helpful. Everything was so well organised. It was one of the best holidays we have had. The route was so well planned and easy to follow.
Tony Joyce, UK, October 2018This holiday was pretty much faultless! We thought everything was very efficient, and very well planned and organised. You even managed to arrange the weather for us! The bike equipment, the bike hire people, the hotel staff, the Freedom Treks staff, the baggage transfer - everything was really well handled. Loved the information booklet with each day's trip identified, along with the location of the accommodation. Our kids are 10 and 8 and through Freedom Treks we have just been able to provide them with a memory that they will never forget. Thank you very much for everything.
Richard Fisher, UK, August 2018
