Insider tips for the perfect active holiday on Lake Constance
Cycling travel specialist and long-time Donau Touristik employee Nicole gives tips & insider knowledge for the perfect active holiday on Lake Constance:
Around Lake Constance by bike.
I have been working for Donau Touristik since June 2013. Since then, I have travelled to Lake Constance countless times and explored the regions at the border triangle - Switzerland, Germany and Austria - by bike. Not only did I get to know the picturesque landscape, the impressive sights along the way and the culinary specialities, but also the hospitable local people.
The classics along the Lake Constance cycle path
My three favourite sights are the Pfänder, the Rhine Falls and the island of Mainau. The Pfänder is the local mountain of Bregenz at 1,064 metres. To marvel at the breathtaking panoramic view over Lake Constance and 240 Alpine peaks, you can easily take the famous Pfänder railway up to the top. Once at the top, the Pfänder is perfect for hiking. I personally like to hike up from the valley station with my dog (walking time approx. 1 ¾ hours). From the mountain station, there are great circular hikes, such as through the Alpine Wildlife Park with nature trail (walking time approx. 30 minutes) or the cheese hike with refreshment stops and educational trail with information boards on cheese production (walking time approx. 3 - 4 ½ hours).
About 4 kilometres downstream from Schaffhausen, the northernmost town in Switzerland, is Europe's largest waterfall. The Rhine Falls are at their fullest after the snow melts in June and July. The apparently brave (the crossing is not really dangerous) can take a boat to the centre rock or to the opposite bank to view the water spectacle from different perspectives. For many, the most beautiful view of the Rhine Falls is from the moated castle of Wörth, a former customs centre.
A trip to the flower island of Mainau in the north-western part of Lake Constance is definitely worthwhile. It has a Mediterranean flair with palm trees, butterflies, orchids, citrus fruits and baroque architecture right in the centre. On fine days, the boat trip to the island is a unique experience in itself.
For holidaymakers interested in history and technology, I can recommend the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen, also on the western shore of the lake. You can even marvel at a partial reconstruction of the "Hindenburg" (LZ 129). A trip to the lake stage of the Bregenz Festival is a must for every visitor to Bregenz. The world's largest lake stage offers a beautiful natural backdrop with oversized stage sets and is open all year round.
Insider tips worth seeing on the Lake Constance cycle path
The pile-dwelling museum in Uhldingen on the northern shore of Lake Constance is not quite as widely known. You can see a faithful replica of a Stone Age village.
My tip for families: the monkey mountain in Salem. The main attraction are the almost 200 Barbary apes. The Salem Monastery and Castle are among the most beautiful cultural monuments on Lake Constance. The extensive and above all diverse park landscape, from the herb garden to the baroque grounds, is ideal for an extended stroll. In addition, the Margravial Baden Schwanen Inn is located directly in the castle and serves upscale, home-style cooking.
My preparation tips for cycling on Lake Constance
A must for every saddle bag when travelling around Lake Constance: swimwear! There are numerous quiet spots along the cycle path and often free lidos where you can cool off or take a dip. And with excellent water quality and pleasant temperatures of up to 26 degrees. Don't forget your camera or mobile phone camera to capture the wonderful impressions along the cycle path.
Culinary recommendation on the Lake Constance cycle path
The "Pier 69" in Bregenz is particularly suitable for a cosy end to a successful day's cycling. The beach bar with good food and top service is in a wonderful location with a view of the lake. It's a great place to chat about the day's experiences over a cool beer or a cocktail.
What many people don't realise!
Lake Constance is very well connected when it comes to shipping. The ships dock in almost every harbour, which means you can easily shorten the distance by a few kilometres. The entrance to Lindau harbour is particularly unique. The harbour entrance is bordered by a lion and a lighthouse (= landmark of the town). It is almost impossible to get lost on the Lake Constance tour. The cycle path is standardised and well signposted in all countries and most of the lake is next to the cycle path.
Many customers also ask me whether Swiss francs are needed on the Swiss shore of Lake Constance. This is not the case. In the nearby towns and villages, you can pay in euros without any problems.
My personal favourite section
The German shore. The section from Friedrichshafen to Bregenz is particularly beautiful. Extensive vineyards, many small and hospitable businesses that invite you to take a break right on the lakeshore.
Best time to visit Lake Constance
The golden autumn. Personally, I find the weeks from the beginning of September the most beautiful. It's not quite as oppressively hot as it can be in July and August, for example, but you can still swim in Lake Constance well into September with plenty of sunny days - the lake doesn't cool down as quickly.
The company behind the Lake Constance cycle tours
Donau Touristik is a company run by its founder. A lot of heart and soul goes into the offers and you can tell that everyone here, both the owner and the employees, want to offer the customer the best possible travel experience. And that starts from the very first consultation. My colleagues and I enjoy organising cycling holidays from A to Z for our customers and responding to individual requests. To date, I have also been able to familiarise myself with various processes and departments within the company. For example, I was also able to handle the logistics at Lake Constance for 2 years. This enables us to provide our customers with TOP advice in all areas. All cycle tours are travelled and tested in advance. At Lake Constance, we also have Jasmina on site as a direct and competent contact person for our customers.
One thing is for sure, I'm already looking forward to my next visit to Lake Constance. I'm already looking forward to seeing what new insider tips I'll have in my luggage.
Your cycle tour specialist Nicole Oberhummer