Upper Lake Constance

Heading out northwards, it’s time to discover magical Mainau, Count Bernadotte’s ‘island of flowers‘ and its Rosengarten museum (admission to island and museum included in tour price). Then there’s a short ferry ride across Überlinger See from Wallhausen (included in the tour price) to the popular spa resort of Überlingen with its ramparts, towers and colourful streets. From here, your two wheels take you past vineyard slopes to the exuberant Baroque beauty of Birnau’s monastery church – a place of pilgrimage for centuries, then on to Uhldingen with its interesting recreations of stilt houses down by the lake (admission to museum included in tour price). Visit Meersburg which boasts two solid castles rising out of the trees in the heart of the historic town, before taking the boat from Immenstaad to Friedrichshafen (included in the tour price) or cycling in to Friedrichshafen (additional 5 miles / 8kms) for your next overnight.

Miles: 24 Kms: 39

From the busy harbour city of Friedrichshafen, home to the fascinating Zeppelin airship museum and second largest settlement on Lake Constance, it’s time to hug the lake on the Lake Constance cycle path through Langenargen where you’ll find the structure which is said to have inspired San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Bridge. Then there’s a lovely stretch through extensive orchards, with plenty of opportunities to take a break in a beer garden or even put a toe in the water, as you head towards the Bavarian ‘Metropolis on the Lake’ – the harbour town of Lindau – where you’ll spend your next overnight.

Miles: 16 Kms: 25

You’ll want to pay homage to the marble Bavarian lions which guard the harbour, or enjoy one last coffee on the terrace of this delightful half-timbered, floral town before you leave Lindau and Germany for the Austrian border and arrive in Bregenz, the proud capital of Vorarlberg. Look out for the famous stage on the lake which sees the most stunning theatrical performances or take the cable car to the top of the Pfander mountain for some breath-taking panoramas. A gentle stretch of cycling through the nature reserves of the Rhine delta lead round into Switzerland, to Rorschach or Arbon where you will spend your next night.

Miles: 25 Kms: 40

From the decorated buildings of Rorschach or the half-timbered beauty of Arbon, your gentle adventure leads along the lake to the waterside gardens of Romanshorn and its harbour bobbing with private boats. Don’t miss the Seeburg Park at Kreuzlingen, the 2.5 mile stretch of lakeside gardens complete with castle, of course. Then it’s time to hop back into Germany and the city of Konstanz for your final overnight.

Miles: 25 Kms: 40

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