Lower Lake Constance

Heading out westwards from Konstanz along the northern shores of the lower lake, you arrive at the World Heritage Site of Reichenau Island down a tree-lined causeway. A land of vegetables and vineyards, this idyllic spot is famed for its monastery and its churches which date from the 9th – 11th centuries. From here a boat (included in tour price) brings you across to Gaienhofen on the Höri peninsular before you pedal on to almost completely intact medieval town of Stein am Rhein and your hotel where you will spend the next two overnights.

Miles: 16 Kms: 25

A riverside route along the Rhine leads from Stein to Schaffhausen which is dominated by the imposing Munot fortress. The largest waterfall in Central Europe awaits – just a boat trip away (included in the tour price), a great way to see the Rheinfall rocks and experience the force of the waterfall for yourself. Your return ride to Stein am Rhein takes in the imperial town of Diessenhofen with its covered wooden bridge over the Rhine and interesting Gothic architecture.

Overnight in Stein am Rhein.

Miles: 31 Kms: 50

Leaving Stein, it’s time to pedal along Swiss lakeland shores back towards Konstanz before heading northwards to discover magical Mainau, Count Bernadotte’s ‘island of flowers ‘ and its Rosengarten museum (admission to island and museum included in tour price). Then it’s ferry time again at Wallhausen heading across the Überlinger See (included in the tour price) to the popular spa resort of Überlingen for your next overnight.

Miles: 28 Kms: 45

Once last chance to see the ramparts, towers and colourful streets of Überlingen before your two wheels take you past vineyard slopes to the exuberant Baroque beauty of Birnau’s monastery church – a place of pilgrimage for centuries . Next up, Uhldingen has interesting recreations of stilt houses down by the lake and Meersburg boasts two solid castles rising out of the trees in the heart of the historic town . Still hugging the lakethrough Immenstaad, you reach the busy harbour of Friedrichshafen, home to the fascinating Zeppelin airship museum, where you take the ferry (included in the tour price) back across the ‘Bodensee’ to Konstanz for your final overnight.

Miles: 21 Kms: 33

Extra nights can be booked to allow more time to explore the cities and shores of Lake Constance at your leisure.