Bicycling with kids on Lake Constance (Bodensee)
Jun 10th, 2015, 08:33 AM
#1
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Bicycling with kids on Lake Constance (Bodensee)
Hi
We are looking to go to Lake Constance for a biking holiday with our kids (8 year old and 16 months old). I'm looking for guidance on the following:
1) How busy will it be in August?
2) Is the trail by the waterfront?
3) What towns are worth visiting and where should we take the ferry / train to bypass a route?
4) What are the prettiest parts of Lake Constance that we should not miss and what parts are the most challenging or parts that we can miss?
5) Where do you recommend we stay if we are going for 4-5 days?
6) How do you move the luggage around?
7) Any more tips would be appreciated.
Thanks
We are looking to go to Lake Constance for a biking holiday with our kids (8 year old and 16 months old). I'm looking for guidance on the following:
1) How busy will it be in August?
2) Is the trail by the waterfront?
3) What towns are worth visiting and where should we take the ferry / train to bypass a route?
4) What are the prettiest parts of Lake Constance that we should not miss and what parts are the most challenging or parts that we can miss?
5) Where do you recommend we stay if we are going for 4-5 days?
6) How do you move the luggage around?
7) Any more tips would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jun 10th, 2015, 08:47 AM
#2
1) It depends, but never dangerous or unfriendly
2) It varies, most of it is on very quiet roads, the strand or bike paths. But never so close you could ride in by mistake
3) Yes, Switzerland does get a bit boring. The Western end (you see the two fingers of lake pushing into the land) yes go to Constance but avoid the fingers.
4) Go to the village on stilts, the Zepplin museum, the aquarium and maybe the island with a flower garden (if your thing)
5) Are you planning to stay one place and get trains off to bits to do or are you planning to tour the lake. I think the lake (unless very fit) is a 5 to 7 day tour.
6) You either pay someone to do it (there are loads of companies), you take it with you or you pay a taxi driver to do it
7) http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Lake_Constance_Guide.php
2) It varies, most of it is on very quiet roads, the strand or bike paths. But never so close you could ride in by mistake
3) Yes, Switzerland does get a bit boring. The Western end (you see the two fingers of lake pushing into the land) yes go to Constance but avoid the fingers.
4) Go to the village on stilts, the Zepplin museum, the aquarium and maybe the island with a flower garden (if your thing)
5) Are you planning to stay one place and get trains off to bits to do or are you planning to tour the lake. I think the lake (unless very fit) is a 5 to 7 day tour.
6) You either pay someone to do it (there are loads of companies), you take it with you or you pay a taxi driver to do it
7) http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Lake_Constance_Guide.php
Jun 10th, 2015, 10:12 AM
#3
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1) Not dangerous, but very busy.
2) By far not always. Often runs through the hillsides.
3) Lindau, Meersburg, Überlingen, Konstanz, Stein am Rhein
4) The western part is most scenic IMO. Most diverse - from Meersburg to Überlingen, from there take the ferry to island Mainau (or skip this island if you find it too expensive), then Konstanz, island Reichenau, ferry to Radolfzell, via Gaienhofen to Stein am Rhein, back on the Swiss coast to Konstanz (or take the train if too long.)
Skip the Swiss/Austrian part between Konstanz - Arbon - Bregenz. I also find the part between Lindau and Meersburg not overly exciting.
5) Überlingen, Konstanz, Radolfzell, Stein am Rhein
6) Most cyclers don't carry much ... I think you can send it forward by train.
2) By far not always. Often runs through the hillsides.
3) Lindau, Meersburg, Überlingen, Konstanz, Stein am Rhein
4) The western part is most scenic IMO. Most diverse - from Meersburg to Überlingen, from there take the ferry to island Mainau (or skip this island if you find it too expensive), then Konstanz, island Reichenau, ferry to Radolfzell, via Gaienhofen to Stein am Rhein, back on the Swiss coast to Konstanz (or take the train if too long.)
Skip the Swiss/Austrian part between Konstanz - Arbon - Bregenz. I also find the part between Lindau and Meersburg not overly exciting.
5) Überlingen, Konstanz, Radolfzell, Stein am Rhein
6) Most cyclers don't carry much ... I think you can send it forward by train.
Jun 10th, 2015, 11:08 PM
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Try this company. http://www.bodensee-radweg.com/en I haven't used them but remember reading their material when we cycled in the area a few years ago. We stayed in an apartment in Meersburg, which was lovely. I suspect that not all bicycle hire places will have a baby seat so you may need to investigate that. You can also hire at Swiss train stations. Bikes can be taken on the ferries. When looking at ferry timetables, be sure to check vehicle ferries as well as passenger ferries, as the former are sometimes much more frequent on certain routes. Enjoy!
Jun 11th, 2015, 01:14 AM
#6
You should be able to hire a two wheeled low level trailer if the kids are very small, if not look at a tag-along (single wheel, bolts onto the back of an adult bike and lets the kid pedal along). You can see a photo at http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Cycling_Tips.php first photo down
No laws required bike helmets for adults but up to 11 you need them for kids in Germany, note that Austria and Switzerland will have their own laws.
No laws required bike helmets for adults but up to 11 you need them for kids in Germany, note that Austria and Switzerland will have their own laws.
