Five Reasons Why You Should Try a Lake Constance Cycling Holiday
Cycling around Lake Constance is an absolute joy. I should know because in June 2019 myself and my wife took our (then 18 month old) son for a leisurely tour around Central Europe’s third-largest lake! We’re both seasoned cycle tourers and we loved imparting the sense of independence and adventure that a cycling holiday brings. Lake Constance proved to be the perfect destination for his first tour. The blue lake was the constant backdrop as we rode through meadows, vineyards and apple orchards, stopping at historic villages along the way.
If you’re unsure about whether Lake Constance is the right location for your next holiday, read on to find out why I think it’s a great spot for a cycling break.
World class cycle paths
The cycle route around Lake Constance or ‘Bodensee Radweg’ is one of the most well-established cycle networks in Europe. The vast majority of the paths are wide, sealed and completely separate from any road traffic. The signposting makes route finding very easy with regular directions and distances to the next waypoints. You’ll receive a route book, maps and GPS route files, but equally, it’s very simple just to follow the signs and keep the water on your right-hand side!
A fantastic destination for family cycling
There are bikes and options available for children of all ages and abilities. Travelling with our 18-month-old, we opted for a child seat and a trailer. The child seat was used most of the time when he was awake and wanting to look around while we cycled, but if he was getting sleepy, we put him in the trailer which was more comfortable for him to take a nap. There are also ‘Tag a longs’ and ‘We-Hoos’ which attach to a parent’s bike but allow a child to sit upright and pedal. Then for older children who can cycle themselves, there are kids bikes with 20, 24 or 26 inch wheels. Something for everyone!
We were amazed by the number of playgrounds, parks and swimming areas along the route. These were perfect for picnic lunches or when my son wanted to stretch his legs. Included in the tour price for the Family Lake Constance tour are tickets for the Sea Life Centre and Rose Garden at Constance and the Lake Dwelling Museum at Unteruhldingen.
Boats and trains
The Family Lake Constance tour uses the excellent ferry and rail network to keep the cycling days manageable for all, while still completing a full loop of the lake. Trains are well equipped for taking bikes, and your route information gives full details and options for how the routes can be shortened each day.
Crossing borders
On most of our tours you’ll cycle through Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The child in me still enjoys cycling across a land border – who doesn’t love the adventure of riding your bike from one country to another!
The logistics are easy
We recommend flying in to Zurich for Lake Constance tours. The airport has a railway station in the terminal and from there it’s just over an hour to Constance, getting to the start point of the tour couldn’t have been easier.
Another important aspect is that your luggage will be transferred between hotels for you, as with all of our self-guided tours. Simply leave your bags in reception in the morning before 9 o’clock and they’ll be delivered to your next hotel by 6 o’clock (though in reality, it’ll normally be much earlier, often by the time you arrive). You only need to carry what you need for the day on your bikes, a big relief when travelling with kids!
It’s also really reassuring to know that help is available if you were to need it. On all of our tours, you’ll have a local contact number that you can call if you need assistance in the unlikely event of any mechanical faults or other problems.
Some more photos from our trip
Lake Constance is an eye-catching destination and it's hard to not stop and take lots of photos along the way! Here are a few more of our favourites from our trip.
