Travel report: Lake Constance tour in September 2021

Barbara and Jürgen thought about going on a multi-day cycle tour at the beginning of the year. In this context, we came across Radweg-Reisen and the Lake Constance tour and spent a very nice week in this region. Of course, the weather also plays a decisive role on a cycle tour, but we were very lucky overall!

The tour consisted of five daily stages, whereby we changed the 2nd stage slightly (see below). We were on the road with our own e-bikes and were therefore able to manage the individual stages without any "distance problems" (the stages were all between 40 and 55 kilometers). Our main base was the beautiful city of Constance, where we stayed for the first three nights and the 6th night at the ABC Hotel. The hotel is located in the Petershausen district and the old town is a good 10-minute walk away. The hotel is of a good mid-range standard and is well suited to cyclists.

Stage 1 (Reichenau Island, ferry to Gaienhofen, back to Constance via Switzerland)

Weather: overcast, cool and a little drizzle in the morning

You cycle directly from the hotel onto the Lake Constance cycle path to Reichenau Island (approx. 30-40 minutes) and can visit a small chapel on a hill on the way before reaching the ferry port. After half an hour on the boat, we reach Gaienhofen. From there, we continue along the lake towards Stein am Rhein (CH), where it is worth taking a break and visiting the historic town. We particularly liked the old buildings and town towers. After crossing the Rhine, we cycle back to Constance on the Lake Constance cycle path via smaller villages, almost always close to the shore. This cycle path is not only flat, but also goes "up and down" from time to time, but everything is easily doable...!
 

Stage 2 (originally around Lake Überlingen); we chose the following route: Mainau Island, ferry from Wallhausen to Überlingen, then to Meersburg and back to Constance by ferry

Weather: much better: dry, sun with clouds

We drove to Mainau Island in the morning, about 6 to 7 kilometers from Constance and spent about 2 to 3 hours on the flower island. The island was no longer so busy, so it was easy to walk around all the areas. In the afternoon, we continued along the Lake Constance cycle path to Wallhausen (approx. 8 to 9 kilometers) and then took the ferry to Überlingen (approx. 15 minutes).
Überlingen also has a very beautiful old town with a large church, which is well worth a visit. The market square invites you to take a coffee or snack break. Continue along the cycle path via Uhldingen (pile-dwelling houses with museum) to Meersburg, where you reach the ferry port (towards Constance) right at the entrance to the town. We wanted to visit the island of Mainau and therefore cycled a shorter day's stage (approx. 28 kilometers in total). In our opinion, however, it was very worthwhile.

Stage 3 (Constance to Nonnenhorn)

Weather: dry and mostly sunny

We leave Constance today on the ferry towards Meersburg and thus begin the first part of the tour around the Obersee (almost 50 kilometers). For us, this is the most beautiful part of the cycle tour, as a) you cycle on very beautiful cycle paths (mostly close to the shore) and b) the scenery is stunning with the mountains in Austria and Switzerland in the background. From Meersburg we cycle via Hagnau and Immenstaad to Friedrichshafen. There it is worthwhile to linger on the very beautiful and extensive waterfront promenade. If you climb the observation tower at the harbor (height 22 meters), you have a great view of the city and the shore areas. With the exception of the castle church, we didn't find the city center particularly interesting. From Friedrichshafen, you continue via Langenargen and Kressbronn to Nonnenhorn. You pass beautifully situated lidos, which were unfortunately already closed for the season. In Nonnenhorn, we spent the night in the hotel-inn "Zur Kapelle". Another good "location" with outdoor dining, which is highly recommended. We also liked the shore and harbor area, where there was a mobile beach restaurant so that we could enjoy the sunset from here.
 

Stage 4 (Nonnenhorn to Rorschach [CH])

Weather: dry and mostly sunny, too

We started in Nonnenhorn and cycled via Wasserburg to our first destination for the day: the picturesque town of Lindau. Here it is worth taking a stroll through the old town and harbor on the offshore island with the old seaport and the many townhouses and half-timbered houses. The route then continues towards Bregenz, passing the German-Austrian border almost unnoticed just before Lochau. In Bregenz, we think the lakeside area with the lake stage is more worth seeing than the city center. The route from Bregenz to Altenrhein (CH) also leads partly inland, including through the Rhine delta, where you cycle along well-maintained agricultural roads and can/should enjoy pure nature.
At Altenrhein, the border crossing is also virtually unnoticed here. It is also worth visiting the market hall designed by Friedrich Hundertwasser in Altenrhein. The building is only slightly inconveniently located at a busy crossroads. It is only a few kilometers from there to Rorschach. The hotel is okay, but is located directly on the main road or, to the rear, directly on the railroad line; very friendly staff and you can satisfy your hunger in the restaurant. Nevertheless, it might be possible to find a more beautifully located place to stay overnight.
 

Stage 5 (Rorschach to Constance)

Weather: only super sunny and therefore the warmest day of the week

The last stage is then to be enjoyed in this weather and it is just under 40 kilometers back to Constance. In our opinion, a visit to the town of Arbon is more worthwhile here than Romanshorn, where there is, however, a very beautiful waterfront promenade. Before you reach Constance, you pass through the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen, which is directly connected to Constance. Here you cross the border into Germany again. We then spent Friday afternoon in the beautiful student town of Constance. The cycle route mainly runs close to the shore or along the railroad line on very beautiful cycle paths.