Bicycle parking and charging facilities
You will find free storage facilities for your bikes in the hotel's own car park in the bike garage, the bike carport and our bike shed.
Please ensure that they are adequately secured.
You can charge your e-bike in the bike garage.
Please note that the batteries of your bike may not be stored or charged in the hotel room.
The central location on Lake Constance, excellent rail connections, transport options by boat and catamaran as well as the ferry connection to Switzerland offer ideal conditions for your holiday. Friedrichshafen is a bicycle-friendly holiday destination! The tourist information centre offers many benefits and discounts for its cycling guests. Situated on the Lake Constance cycle path, the idyllic Lake Constance towns are within easy reach and the region's diverse landscapes are also very close from Friedrichshafen. Exciting routes in the hilly countryside, challenging trails and magnificent views also challenge sporty cyclists. On the following pages, you will find fifteen detailed tours of all levels of difficulty with altitude profiles, attractions worth seeing on the tour and tips on where to stop for refreshments. In the "Around the lake" section, five tours always lead along the shore of the lake on a predominantly flat route. The individual tours can be combined with each other and can be supplemented by train and boat. Five tours - four nights... the Friedrichshafen hoteliers have very special offers for your cycling holiday.
"Tours in the region" take cyclists along cycle paths with little traffic through orchards and reed beds, up hills and mountains, along the lake or with the lake in view, into the Lake Constance region. All GPS tracks and detailed tour descriptions can be found at www.friedrichshafen.info. In this brochure you will find many useful addresses and tips on all aspects of cycling. Great tours, impressive experiences, vibrant landscapes - the joy of cycling! And if it should rain... Visit one of Friedrichshafen's museums! The Zeppelin Museum, with the world's largest collection on the history of airship travel; the Dornier Museum, which brings 100 years of exciting aerospace history to life with its 400 exhibits, or the School Museum - with original classrooms from the years 1850, 1900 and 1930.
All the tours and data shown here were kindly provided by Tourisinfo Friedrichshafen(www.friedrichshafen.info). Below the text you can download the Radwelten brochure from the Friedrichshafen Tourist Information Centre. You can also download the corresponding GPS data from the tourist information page.
The most beautiful tours around Lake Constance
The 5 day tours have been put together in such a way that they can be added to or shortened as required. The rather flat cycle paths directly on the shores of Lake Constance, the possibility of transporting bikes with the "White Fleet" and the railway as well as numerous attractive excursion destinations offer the best conditions for leisure cyclists and cycling families. With a central location in one of our numerous cycle hotels, you can easily tour around the lake. And with Friedrichshafen as your base, you don't have to worry about luggage transport either.
Route: Friedrichshafen, Eriskirch, Langenargen, Kressbronn, Nonnenhorn, Wasserburg, Bad Schachen, Lindau
Tour length: approx. 27 km (plus approx. 2 x 5 km along the Argen)
Highest point: 410 m
Difficulty level: easy
This first route already offers a variety of beautiful experiences for the eyes. In the "Eriskircher Ried" nature reserve, you will encounter flora and fauna that is still completely untouched by man. The iris blossom in early summer is particularly beautiful. Shortly afterwards you reach "Montfort Castle", the landmark of Langenargen. The route continues over the cable suspension bridge, known as the little sister of the "Golden Gate Bridge". We recommend a detour along the Argen river upstream into the beautiful surroundings of Lake Constance to the moated castle of Giessen. Back on the lake, you cycle through paradisiacal apple orchards, via Nonnenhorn to the Wasserburg peninsula. After Bad Schachen, the end point of this stage is the medieval island town of Lindau. The best way to discover Lindau is on foot, while your bike waits at the harbour for the return journey by boat or train.
Tips:
Eriskircher Ried - viewing platform
Langenargen - cable suspension bridge
Schachen - visit the Lindenhofpark
Refreshments:
Gießenbrücke - "Zollhaus"
Langenargen - "Löwen" with lakeside terrace at the municipal harbour
Lindau - Lindau Yacht Club with lakeside terrace and views of the Pfänder and Alps
Route: Friedrichshafen, Immenstaad, Hagnau, Meersburg, Unteruhldingen, Birnau, Überlingen, Sipplingen, Ludwigshafen
Tour length: approx. 44 km
Highest point: 458 m
Difficulty level: easy
The second tour is characterised by a multitude of sights. After the idyllic Lake Constance communities of Immenstaad and Hagnau, you reach Meersburg, which is one of the main attractions on Lake Constance with its two castles and historic half-timbered houses. Shortly after Meersburg, in Unteruhldingen, the pile dwellings await you. The open-air museum is a faithful representation of how our ancestors lived on Lake Constance. A few kilometres further on, the baroque church of Birnau is beautifully situated above the lake. From the church square, you can enjoy a marvellous view of Lake Überlingen. Now it's just a few minutes to Überlingen, the town with the Mediterranean charm. At Ludwighafen, you have reached the far end of Lake Überlingen. The return journey to Friedrichshafen can be made comfortably by train.
Tips:
Meersburg - Meersburg Castle, New Castle, old town, thermal baths
Unteruhldingen - pile-dwelling museum
Birnau baroque church
Überlingen - town hall, cathedral, town garden, thermal baths
Refreshments:
before Meersburg: Haltnau wine tavern, garden pub directly on the cycle path
after Unteruhldingen: Pilgerhof with beer garden by the lake, below the Birnau
Route: Constance, Gottlieben, Ermatingen, Arenenberg, Steckborn, Mammern, Stein am Rhein, Gaienhofen, Iznang, Radolfzell
Tour length: approx. 56 km
Highest point: 439 m
Difficulty level: easy, Steckborn to Gaienhofen somewhat challenging
The cycle tour around Untersee offers a wealth of sights. Starting with a leisurely boat or train journey to Constance, the tour first leads along the Swiss shore. A short detour to Gottlieben on the Seerhein is worthwhile on the first stage. The route then climbs slightly in Mannenbach to Arenenberg and the lovingly decorated Napoleon Museum. The route continues via Steckborn to the medieval town of Stein am Rhein. The route then leads around the Höri artists' peninsula with its numerous bathing spots to Radolfzell, where you can enjoy a shopping spree in the old town. From Radolfzell, you return to Friedrichshafen by train (hourly).
Tips:
Gottlieben - Drachenburg Castle
Arenenberg - Napoleon Museum
Werd Island - the smallest inhabited island in Lake Constance with a monastery
Gaienhofen - Herrmann Hesse Museum, Otto Dix House
Refreshments:
On the cycle path between Ermatingen and Mammern: Cosy Swiss restaurants, some directly on the lake
Stein am Rhein: on the Rhine promenade
Hornstaad: "Schlößle" inn with beer garden on the lake
Note:
A passport or identity card is required for Switzerland.
Route: Lindau, Bregenz, Hard, Höchst, Gaißau, Rheineck, Altenrhein, Rorschach, Arbon, Romanshorn
Tour length: approx. 58 km
Highest point: 416 m
Difficulty level: easy
The boat trip or the hourly train journey to the starting point of the tour in Lindau is an experience in itself. With its two lighthouses and the Bavarian Lion, Lindau's harbour is one of the most popular photo motifs on Lake Constance. After a short walk through the old town, the cycle path leads over a bridge to the mainland and soon afterwards across the Austrian border to Bregenz. Along the promenade, past Europe's largest lake stage, the route leads into the delta of the Alpine Rhine. After crossing the New and Old Rhine, you reach the Swiss side of the lake. Tranquil half-timbered houses adorn the cycle path to Rorschach. Continue via Arbon to Romanshorn and from there take the ferry across the lake back to Friedrichshafen.
Tips:
Bregenz - lake stage
Altenrhein - Hundertwasser market hall
Rorschach - automobile and car museum
Refreshments:
to Bregenz directly on the cycle path: Bregenz motorboat club
Note:
A passport or identity card is required for Switzerland.
Route: Romanshorn, Kesswil, Altnau, Kreuzlingen, Constance, Hegne, Reichenau Island, Allensbach, Markelfingen, Radolfzell
Tour length: approx. 58 km
Highest point: 436 m
Difficulty level: easy
The 5th day tour begins with the ferry crossing to Romanshorn. On marvellous paths, always with the lake in view, the 1st stage leads through the Swiss canton of Thurgau and back across the border at Kreuzlingen to Constance. You should allow enough time to visit the historic old town before continuing over the Rhine bridge towards the island of Reichenau. The route leads over a dam to the island, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001 with its 3 Romanesque churches. After a tour of the island by bike, the route then returns to the mainland and via Allensbach, known for its opinion research institute, to Radolfzell. From there, take the train back to Friedrichshafen.
Tips:
Constance - Sea-Life
Reichenau - churches "St. Georg" and "Peter & Paul", Minster "Markus & Marien"
Allensbach - wildlife and leisure park
Refreshments:
Altnau, below the cycle path - "Sunnestübli"
Reichenau - Camping Sandseele
Note:
A passport or identity card is required for Switzerland.
The most beautiful tours in the region
Tours 6 to 15 also have Friedrichshafen as their starting point. After short stages on Lake Constance, the routes lead into the scenic surrounding countryside. From idyllic, leisurely paths to challenging climbs for the athletically ambitious - everyone will find their personal favourite tour here.
Route: Kaiserstrand, Lochau, Haggen, Lohorn, Moosegg, Pfänder, Hub, Fluh, Kennelbach, Bregenz Seebühne
Tour length: approx. 26 km
Highest point: 1039 m
Difficulty level: difficult
Mountain bikers can add the tour over the Pfänder as a crisp detour to Tour 1 and Tour 4 of the lake circuit. For this reason, only the track over the Pfänder is described here. As an alternative to the ascent by bike, you can take the Pfänderbahn cable car up the mountain (from Bregenz valley station), which takes bikes free of charge between 8 and 10 am. The overall tour from Friedrichshafen is therefore suitable for families with sporty and less sporty members, who can then split up in Lochau and meet up again later at the lake. From Lochau, you have to climb 600 metres in altitude in one go on the Pfänderstrasse. After a short visit and a view of the lake from the Pfänder, the route then continues partly on small tarmac roads, but mainly on occasionally steep and unsurfaced forest paths via Fluh to Kennelbach, where we then return to the lake in Bregenz on the route of the Bregenzerwald railway with little traffic. Again and again you can enjoy wonderful views of the mountains of the Bregenz Forest.
Tips:
Bregenz - lake stage, museums
Pfänder - bird of prey show, Alpine animal park
Refreshments:
Berghaus Pfänder
Gomms Radstüble
Motorbootclub Bregenz
Route: Friedrichshafen, Oberbaumgarten, Schussenreute Giessenbrücke Steinenbach, Neuravensburg, Wangen, Beutelsau, Fischreute, Kißlegg
Tour length: approx. 52 km
Highest point: 680 m
Difficulty level: medium
The route first leads through the Seewald and Tettnang forest to the Giessenbrücke bridge. From there, the route continues via Badhütten before crossing the Argen in Heggelbach for the third time via a suspension bridge. Past Achberg Castle and via Neuravensburg you reach Wangen, where you should at least take a look at some of the many fountains on a short tour of the town. After the seventh and final crossing of the Argen in Beutelsau, the steep ascent to Allewinden begins, where the highest point of the tour is reached. The Zeppelin memorial in Fischreute commemorates the emergency landing and destruction of the LZ2 in 1906. Kißlegg is now just a stone's throw away.
Tips:
Tettnang Forest, memorial to plane crash 05.07.1934
Giessen moated castle
Achberg Castle
Old town Wangen - town of beautiful fountains, museums
Fischreute - Zeppelin memorial LZ 2
Bärenweiler - Fürstlich Waldburg, Zeil'sches Alterspflegeheim
Kißlegg - old castle, new castle, parish church St. Gallus
Refreshments:
Gießenbrücke - "Zollhaus"
Neuravensburg - "Mohren"
Wangen - "Fidelisbäck"
Route: Friedrichshafen, Oberteuringen, Fuchstobel, Haslachmühle, Zußdorf, Wilhelmsdorf, Wasserscheide, Kreenried, Altshausen
Tour length: approx. 55 km
Highest point: 673 m
Difficulty level: medium
From the mouth of the Rotach into Lake Constance, the route leads along the Rotach to its source, past the former 21 Rotach mills, some of which are only remembered by their place names. Once in Wilhelmsdorf, a visit to the farmer's museum is well worthwhile. The route then continues into the unique Pfrunger Ried nature reserve, where the European watershed between the Rhine and Danube is crossed. Pass the idyllic Guggenhauser Weiher pond and Königsegg Castle on the right. You then reach Altshausen via Kreenried. Altshausen Castle is the family seat of Duke Carl von Württemberg. From Altshausen, take the train back to Friedrichshafen via Aulendorf.
Tips:
Unterteuringen - "Jakobus-Denkmal"
Wilhelmsdorf Farmers' Museum
Königsegg Castle
Altshausen Castle
Route: Friedrichshafen, Immenstaad, Meersburg, Mainau, Litzelstetten, Mühlweiher, Mindelsee, Radolfzell
Tour length: approx. 50 km
Highest point: 476.7 m
Difficulty level: medium
Firstly, you cycle along the classic Lake Constance cycle path with Tour 2 to Meersburg, from where you take the ferry to Staad. From Staad, the route climbs past Mainau to Litzelstetten. Passing the idyllic Mühlweiher pond, the route initially heads towards Dettingen on well-surfaced forest paths, before crossing the L220 before continuing towards Hegne. At the same altitude, the route continues above the Schmieder clinics and Allensbach, mainly on forest paths in the direction of Bodanrück Wildlife Park. Here you can stop for refreshments at the Landgasthof Mindelsee inn or take a short detour to the Mindelsee lake. There is also plenty of time to visit the wildlife park, as it is not far to your destination in Radolfzell and the train back to Friedrichshafen leaves every hour. From Mindelsee, however, the route first goes to Markelfingen and from there between the railway and the lake with a view of the Mettnau peninsula to the railway station in Radolfzell.
Tips:
Meersburg - Old Castle and New Castle
Allensbach - Wildlife and Leisure Park
Mainau Island
Hegne Monastery
Mindelsee
Refreshments:
Meisterklause near Hegne
Mindelsee country inn
Route: Friedrichshafen, Brochenzell, Weißenau, Ravensburg, Weingarten, Bergatreute, Gwigg, Arisheim, Bad Waldsee
Tour length: approx. 53 km
Highest point: 635.6 m
Difficulty level: medium
The tour along the Upper Swabian Baroque Route can be started in true Baroque style with a visit to Friedrichshafen Castle Church. The route then takes you past Häfler Airport, the exhibition centre and the Zeppelin hangar, where, with a bit of luck, you can watch the Zeppelin NT take off. The route follows the footsteps of the pilgrim patron saint St James on quiet roads via Brochenzell and then through shady forests to Weißenau. From there, the route follows the Schussen river into the town centre of Ravensburg to Marienplatz, continues past the Bläserturm tower through the upper town to the cemetery and then onto the cycle route towards Weingarten. A visit to the basilica is a must on the programme here. The journey continues via Baienfurt into the Wolfegger Ach valley. You reach Bolanden directly along the canal, which supplies the paper mills in Baienfurt with much-needed water. This is followed by a steep climb to Bergatreute. After visiting the pilgrimage church in Bergatreute, a refreshment stop at Isabella Müller's "Adler" is just the thing. The route then continues via Gwigg with its St George's Chapel, uphill to Bad Waldsee, where a visit to the Frauenberg Chapel is recommended, followed by a descent along the Way of the Cross (pushing is recommended here!) towards the castle garden, the castle grounds and Gut-Betha-Platz. From here, the tour leads uphill along the town lake towards the railway station, from where you can take the train back to Friedrichshafen via Aulendorf.
Tips:
Weingarten - basilica, old town
Bad Waldsee - St Peter's Collegiate Church
Refreshments:
Adler Bergatreute
Route: Friedrichshafen, Riedern, Hepbach, Urnau, Schönemühle (Stopomat), Höchsten, Wattenberg, Limpach, Bermatingen, Lipbach
Tour length: a) approx. 64 km b) 61 km
Highest point: 828 m
Difficulty level: difficult
The tour over the Gehrenberg to the Höchsten is aimed at ambitious cyclists and rewards them with the enjoyment of the beautiful landscape and nature. The route to Hepach should initially be regarded as a transport stage, a warm-up so to speak. From Hepbach, the route then climbs steadily via the Fürstenberg and Grafenschachenweg trails, mainly on wooded gravel paths, to the Gehrenberg summit. The route continues similarly downhill on the other side until shortly before Urnau, from where it heads directly towards Schönemühle via meadow paths. Here cyclists can choose between the time trial route with stop machine (option b) and the scenic route through the Rotachtal valley to the Höchsten, where both routes meet again. Here you can enjoy the view of the Alpine panorama from the pavilion or stop for refreshments at the Höchsten mountain inn before descending into the Deggenhausertal valley. Away from the road, the route leads to Wittenhofen and then through the Untersiggingen industrial estate on traffic-free paths to the ridge between Deggenhausertal and Bermatingen. Before Markdorf, the route passes through the Eisweiher nature reserve, where Heck cattle are used for natural landscape conservation. If you want to save yourself the remaining distance to Friedrichshafen, you can change to the train in Bermatingen or Markdorf. However, if you are in good physical condition, it is advisable to continue, as the scenery is very attractive and varied, especially as far as Efrizweiler.
Tips:
Höchsten - viewing pavilion
Refreshments:
Berggasthof Höchsten
Limpach - "Mohren" (tour b only)
Route: Friedrichshafen, Eriskirch, Kabelhängerbrücke, Gohren, Kressbronn, Hengnau, Wasserburg, Nonnenhorn, Kressbronn, Langenargen
Tour length: approx. 44 km
Highest point: 471.6 m
Difficulty level: easy
Between Friedrichshafen and Wasserburg, the route essentially follows Tour 1 of the Lake Constance Cycle Path, without using the same route on the outward and return journeys. From Kressbronn, the route then leads into the charming hinterland near the lake. The tour can be cycled both clockwise and in the opposite direction, depending on when and where a visit to a museum or lido is planned. However, due to the moderate gradients, we recommend travelling from start to finish in the suggested direction (clockwise). If you then forget to visit the museums or lido, you can return to Friedrichshafen by boat or train (Eriskirch only by train) from any of the lakeside towns.
Tips:
Friedrichshafen - Zeppelin Museum
Eriskirch - nature conservation centre, lakeside swimming pool, Liebfrauenkirche church
Langenargen - cable suspension bridge, Institute for Lake Research, St. Martin's parish church
Nonnenhorn - old wine press "Torkel", Jakobuskapelle chapel
Refreshments:
Langenargen - "Amtshof"
Gattnau - "Forst" inn
Gohren - "Ultramarin" marina
Route: a) Romanshorn, Rotzenwil, Hüebli, St. Gallen, Mörschwil, Steinach, Romanshorn b) Romanshorn, Egnach, St. Pelagiberg, St. Gallen, Goldach, Rorschach
Tour length: a) 53 km b) approx. 42 km
Highest point: 748 m
Difficulty level: difficult
The route starts at the ferry in Romanshorn, initially through "Mostindien", as the people of Thurgau ironically call their landscape on the Seerücken because of the many orchards. The route takes you up and down the Sitter valley and into the cantonal capital of St.Gallen twice. From Romanshorn, you can choose between 2 routes, although the sections can be changed again and again at the branching points. In Rotzenwil, you are faced with the question of whether the Sitter ferry in Gertau is in operation or whether the water level allows you to wade across. If not, choose the route over the bridge at Roote. A push section of approx. 500 metres is included in both options. With surprisingly little traffic, the route continues to the cantonal capital, where a visit to the old town and the monastery area is recommended, before heading back towards the lake - realising that St. Gallen is definitely worth an extra visit. At Obere Waid, you can then decide whether to end the tour in Romanshorn or Rorschach. If you decide in favour of Rorschach, you should enquire in advance about the boat trip options.
Tips:
St. Pelagiberg - pilgrimage church
Hagenwil moated castle
St. Gallen - old town and abbey library
Refreshments:
Waldschänke - garden restaurant in the Romanshorn forest
Wittenbach - "Erlenholz"
Gertau, beer garden - the landlord also runs the Sitter ferry(www.gertau.ch), tel. +41 (0) 71 433 1550
Route: Friedrichshafen, Bergheim, Möggenweiler, Markdorf, Bermatingen, Buggensegeel, Salem Castle, Affenberg, Birnau, Maurach
Tour length: approx. 33 km
Highest point: 483.3 m
Difficulty level: easy
The tour leads through the charming Lake Constance hinterland to Linzgau in Baden. Passing the former barracks in Fallenbrunnen, which are to be converted into a university campus in the next few years, the route heads towards the "Pearl of the Linzgau" - Markdorf. Here you are on a section of the St James pilgrimage route, as evidenced by the red chalk scribbles in the Mauritius Chapel. You enter the old town centre through the upper gate and leave it again through the lower gate. The old town fortifications are clearly recognisable here. The route then continues via Wangen to Bermatingen, where you can visit the half-timbered ensemble around the town hall and the parish church of St. George with its frescoes. Afterwards, a short detour via Buggensegel is recommended, where you can enjoy a little refreshment in the beer garden of the "Frohsinn" inn. The route continues via Mimmenhausen to Salem Castle, which now belongs to the state of Baden-Württemberg. The Margrave of Baden still has the right of residence there - as did the Cistercian monks in earlier times. The route then continues along the Prälatenweg towards Birnau, not without stopping halfway in Mendlishausen at the "Affenberg". You can then pay a visit to the honey taster in the Birnau pilgrimage church before returning home on Tour 2.
Tips:
Mimmenhausen - Feuchtmayer Museum
Salem Castle
Mendlishausen Monkey Mountain
Birnau Baroque Church
Refreshments:
Möggenweiler - "Paradies"
Markdorf - "Schwanenstüble"
Bermatingen - "Weingut Dilger"
Buggensegel - "Frohsinn"
Salem - "Schwanen"
Maurach - "Pilgerhof" and "Rebmannshof"
Route: Friedrichshafen, Eriskirch, Langenargen, Nonnenhorn, Wasserburg, Lindau, Bregenz, Lauterach, Rappenlochschlucht, Dornbirn
Tour length: approx. 60 km
Highest point: 518 m
Difficulty level: easy
The route initially leads along the classic Lake Constance cycle path Tour 1 to Lindau. It then passes the island on Tour 2 via Bregenz before leaving the Lake Constance cycle path again at Mehrerau Abbey. Cycle (pushing) through the abbey grounds towards Lauterach, crossing the sometimes wild Bregenzer Ach on the railway bridge and passing under the rather winding triangle of tracks to reach the open reed landscape. Before the International Rhine Regulation was established 120 years ago, this region was plagued by devastating floods. Now criss-crossed by many drainage channels, a unique reed landscape with a diverse flora and fauna has developed. The approx. 4 kilometres through Dornbirn can be comfortably covered on the flood embankment of the Dornbirner Ach. The steady ascent to Gütle, the destination of the tour at the exit of the Rappenloch gorge, then begins. The lower part of the gorge can also be visited in an approx. 1 1/2-hour hike. Finally, the route leads back across the Ach towards the railway station, from where the train takes you back to Friedrichshafen via Lindau.
Tips:
Bregenz - Seebühne stage
Mehrerau Abbey
Dornbirn - Rolls-Royce Museum, Nativity Scene Museum, inatura Nature Museum
Hydroelectric power station
Rappenloch Gorge