Lake Constance is one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in Europe and spans three countries: Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The Bodensee Radweg is a cycling path around Lake Constance that makes it one of the most loved destinations for cycle tourism.

Characterized by mostly flat routes and away from traffic, immersed in some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Europe, the cycling path around Lake Constance offers a truly unique cycling experience for everyone: from those looking for an easy route to do with the children, to the more sporty cyclists, who can choose to “burn the stages” thus crossing in a short time as many as three European countries.

Lake Constance cycling path: the map

Tour of Lake Constance: what to see

Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls

Our bike tour around Lake Constance starts from the city of Konstanz (Constance), on the German side of the lake, which is a perfect base for the trip due to a wide range of services dedicated to cyclists, including bike rental and repairs. The Island of Mainau, only a few kilometers from the city center, renowned for its floral gardens, butterflies and Baroque castle, is not to be missed.

A solid alternative to Constance as the tour starting point is offered by the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen, also easily accessible by both car and train and equally bike-friendly.

If you intend to circumnavigate Lake Constance, the best thing is to go clockwise, thus always pedaling directly on the lakefront.

So, you get on your bike in Constance and start to ride the south-western shore of the lake, in the direction of Stein am Rhein. The track is well signposted, completely paved and passes through several coastal villages and towns. Along the way, you can enjoy stunning views of Lake Constance and the Swiss Alps, with the possibility of relaxing beach breaks or indulging in gourmet stops at restaurants, bars, and cafes on the coast.

About thirty kilometers from the start, you'll meet the Swiss city of Stein am Rhein, comfortably nestled where Lake Constance narrows down to become the Rhine once again, an architectural jewel with its half-timbered houses, arcades, and fountains.

From this fairy tale town on the Rhine, you can, by leaving about twenty kilometers from Lake Constance, reach Schaffhausen and the roaring Rhine Falls: a detour that is worth including in the trip, considering the power of the natural spectacle.

The Hermann Hesse Museum and Lake Constance Zoo

After leaving Stein am Rhein, the Bodensee Radweg crosses the city of Gaienhofen which, in addition to offering breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, hosts the museum dedicated to Hermann Hesse, where you can also visit the Nobel Prize-winning writer's house.

The route continues through other coastal towns like Radolfzell, one of the oldest settlements on the lake, to finally reach the vibrant and relaxing Überlingen, repeatedly awarded as an ideal family holiday destination. One of the main attractions is the Haustier Reutemhüle, Lake Constance Zoo, which, in addition to animal encounters, offers numerous play areas.

Vineyards, half-timbered houses, and airships

Left Überlingen, the route, which always follows the lake shore, offers panoramic views of orchards and vineyards. We are indeed in the Baden wine region, which stretches from the shores of Lake Constance to the Black Forest and to Franconia. Here, in addition to Pinot Noir, Bodensee Weissherbst, a specialty rosé wine of the region, is produced.

Another gem of this stage is the town of Meersburg, one of the most striking on Lake Constance, with its half-timbered houses and the medieval fortress that dominates the colorful lower town from above.

The arrival in Friedrichshafen offers a truly unique view of the lake. Here is the unmissable Zeppelin Museum, which houses the largest exhibition of airships in the world.

The beaches, Lindau island, and Bregenz

From the German town of Friedrichshafen, the Lake Constance cycling path winds on the north-eastern shore of the lake and crosses small villages, where you will find beautiful beaches to relax or let the children play. At Kressbronn for example, there is the Naturstrandbad beach resort, with its long park-beach, the snack bar and water games for children, while from the Nonnenhorn beach resort you can enjoy the splendid view of the Alps from the heated swimming pool with a slide.

From the beautiful beaches of Lake Constance, after cycling a few more kilometers, you reach one of the jewels of the tour: the Bavarian town of Lindau, one of the most renowned holiday resorts in Germany whose old town is located on an island connected to the mainland by two bridges. Take a stroll through its picturesque streets, which are lined with wonderful historical buildings, and pause to contemplate local life in one of the vibrant squares.

Once back on the bike, you cross the border to enter Austria. A possible stop is Bregenz, famous for the opera festival held each year between July and August and for the futuristic architecture of the Kunsthaus, Museum of Contemporary Art. Among the main attractions of the city, there is also the Mount Pfänder, which, with its 1046 meters, reachable by cable car, offers an unbeatable view with the most spectacular panoramic point of the entire region.

The Rhine Delta and Switzerland's St. Gallen

Once past the modern city of Bregenz, a complete immersion in nature awaits you. On the south-eastern shore of the lake, you indeed meet the largest wetland area in the region: the Rhine Delta, a labyrinth of cycle paths along the canals and the shores of Lake Constance, which together represent a unique cycling experience.

Once you have crossed this aquatic paradise, you continue along the lake shore and reach the beautiful port town of Rorschach, a potential stopover point. We are now in Switzerland, in the canton of St. Gallen, but the atmosphere is Mediterranean. In addition to the beautiful lakefront, the main attraction and symbol of the city is the Kornhaus, an 18th-century granary overlooking the lake, today transformed into an interactive museum where you can see reproductions of the pile dwellings in which the ancient inhabitants of Lake Constance lived and their commercial activities: an engaging way to relive history, which will also captivate the children.

Water parks and return to Constance

A final possible stage of about forty kilometers could be the one from Rorscahch that takes you back to Constance along the southern shore of the lake. Places not to be missed along the route are Arbon, about 7 kilometers from the start, an ideal stop especially for those traveling with children, as a swimming pool built directly on the lakefront is located here, featuring a heated pool, a large slide, jumping deck and much more to entertain the little ones.

Shortly beyond lies Romanshorn, among the most beautiful towns on Lake Constance, with a beautiful lakefront, the ancient castle, the Car Museum, the beach resort and the departure of the ferries for Friedrichshafen, an excellent opportunity to treat yourself to a mini-cruise on the lake.

The circuit concludes with a return to Germany and a return to Constance, passing through Kreuzlingen.

Now that you know how to navigate the cycle path of Lake Constance and what to see along the route, all you have to do is build your stages according to your interests and start! If, instead, you think you may need help planning the trip, for bike rental or the transportation of luggage, write to us immediately and we will help you find the best solution for you: start immediately to peek among the many itineraries that you find on Cyclando.