The Swiss Lake Route

After making your own way to Constance you will have a bit of time (depending on your arrival) to do some exploring. You can visit the island of Mainau, take a stroll through Constance’s old town, or even pay a visit to the Sea Life Centre and Archaeological Museum.

As you begin your cycling you will be hugging the side of Lake Constance, until you get to Stein am Rhein, a town filled with beautiful medieval houses. Your route to Schaffhausen will dip into both Germany and Switzerland. The town is the canton’s capital is filled with houses with gables and is watched over by Munot fort.

Have breakfast and then just a stone’s throw away cycling is the Rhine Falls; this is one of the largest waterfalls in Europe which can be visited closely by boat. From here you will be heading to the valley of the Glatt which you will follow to the famous Swiss city of Zurich. In Zurich you can shorten the trip by taking the S-Bahn from Rümlang station. Zurich is an incredible melting pot of tradition and modernity, enjoy it in one of its numerous cafes and bars.

Today’s route will take you alongside the northside of Lake Zurich on the so-called ‘Golden Coast’ until you get to Rapperswil, here you can take a break and go up the old castle enjoying beautiful views of Lake Zurich and the surrounding countryside. Next, it’s time to cross the lake via a dam and then begin cycling on the opposite bank until the quaint town of Lachen.

Cycle along the Linth Canal, this constructed connection between Lake Zurich and Lake Walen is from the 19^th century and its job was to prevent bad flooding from the Linth and its tributaries. From Weesen you will take a boat to Walenstadt, here lake Walensee is perfect for a swim whilst being towered by the Churfirsten peaks tower. Not far from here you will get to the valley of the Alpine Rhine, which you will follow until you get to Liechtenstein and your stop for the night.

Peddle along the Rhine on your way to Gais via the cog railway. From here your journey to St. Gallen will be characterised with crazing cows on alpine pastures. Worth visiting in St. Gallen is the library of the collegiate church, one of the most important historical libraries in the world and home to 160.000 books including the oldest German book.

As you head back to your start and end point of Constance, enjoy a downhill section before getting to Arbon. The day’s cycling will take place by the banks of the lake through apple orchards and the quaint towns of Arbon and Romanshorn. Enjoy a flat and straightforward cycle, with the exception of days with strong wind. Along the way there will be many opportunities to stop and take a dip in the refreshing waters of the lake.

Enjoy a last breakfast and then either head home or stay for longer.