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Discover in this post our experience cycling around Lake Constance with our 7 and 10-year-old children. A nearly 180-kilometer bike route that we'd love to repeat!
Hello fellow adventurers! Today I want to share with you our exciting experience cycling around the beautiful Lake Constance in Europe for five incredible days , sleeping in tents at campsites. As a mother of two and a lover of campervan travel, we've explored many corners of this beautiful continent, but this time we embarked on a special adventure: a bike tour with the kids around Lake Constance through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland!
Get ready to discover a unique route and destination full of fun, impressive landscapes and unforgettable anecdotes!
A bike route around Lake Constance with our little ones, summarized in these stages and visits:
| Stage | Origin and destination | Distance (km) | Points of Interest and Activities |
| 1 | Fußach, Austria – Arbon, Switzerland | 38 | Rhine border bridge between Austria and Switzerland / Bird watching tower / Flughafen ST Gallen-Alternrhein / FFA Museum of Light Planes and Luxury Cars / Roschach / Arbon |
| 2 | Arbon, Switzerland – Konstanz, Germany | 38 | Constance |
| 3 | Constance – Uldinguen | 26 | Flower Island, Mainau/ Uberlinguen / Birnau / Uldinguen / Stilt House Museum |
| 4 | Uldinguen–Kressbronn | 41 | Meersburg / Visit Meersburg Old Castle / Visit Konstanz/Friedrichshafen Wine Museum / Zeppelin Museum |
| 5 | Kressbronn–Fußach | 36 | Lindau / Bregenz / Mount Pfander cable car |
About us
We are the Kucavana family , and we travel with our two children and our adopted dog, Max. We usually travel in our motorhome, also called Kucavana, hence the name of our blog (as a baby, Anna couldn't pronounce "motorhome" and said "Kucavana"). But we also enjoy traveling by bicycle, by plane, and backpacking—the point is to have adventures as a family. The one writing this is me, Pilar, the mom of the family and perhaps the craziest one. I enjoy every new experience we have as a family, and I hope to help you enjoy traveling as much as we do.
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New adventures of the Kucavana: bike route and tent, madness or great family experience?
It had been more than a year since I (Pilar) had ridden a bicycle, but for years at home there was talk of doing a multi-day bicycle route and in a tent. This year the children and Jose finished pressing and I saw that it was the moment to do it. The ideal moment so that the children did not leave me behind yet, although later I ended up behind for a change ... and it is that these little ones are already unstoppable in everything ...
Our trip around Lake Constance was a family cycling adventure we'll never forget. A 5-stage, 5-day, 4-night journey in tents and campsites, covering 172 kilometers by bike with our 7- and 10-year-old children, improvising each day and overcoming every obstacle together as a family.
This was our first cycling tour, and it couldn't have been better chosen thanks to our friend Genís from the blog arreveure.cat . Who better than him, who has cycled all the way to China, to advise us on our new adventure! Thanks, Genís!
An experience we will definitely repeat.
Would you dare to go with two little ones on a cycling route and in a tent? If yes, stick around and keep reading. Here I tell you all our experience.
About Lake Constance and its cycle path
Where is Lake Constance? One lake, 3 countries to visit
Lake Constance is a natural gem that spans three countries: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Imagine the excitement of our little adventurers when they learned we were going to cycle through three countries! Now that's an adventure! What's more, the lake is the third largest in Central Europe and offers a wide variety of activities both on land and on the water.
How to get to Lake Constance: by plane or by road
Getting to Lake Constance is very easy. You can choose to fly to Friedrichshafen or Zurich Airport and take the train to Constance, which is near the lake, or drive there from anywhere in Europe.
We chose the option of traveling in our motorhome. Nothing better than having our motorhome to be able to make stops on the way there and back at our own pace and to be able to bring our bicycles from Spain to enjoy the freedom of exploring at our own pace.
Since we were traveling in a motorhome, we had to leave it parked in a safe place, and that's why our route starts in Austria in the town of Fußach, where we found a private individual who let us park it in his garden for a good price, for €10 a day.
Lake Constance cycle path with more than 260 cycleable km: First great tip
One of the things we loved about this bike route is the incredible cycle path that circles the entire Lake Constance. It's over 260 km of perfectly marked trails suitable for cyclists of all ages ! Don't worry about getting lost; the route is very well marked and impossible to miss!
It's well signposted, but since there are several variations , if you don't plan it well you can end up taking longer routes and covering more kilometers. So, a first piece of advice: plan your route well before you go, follow the signs in the direction you're going, and never rely on Google Maps!
As for Google Maps, I attest that you should be careful since in many sections it will take you on roads with many cars and you will have a bad time, as happened to us in a part.
Especially when planning your route, always do it from the official website:
Official website of the Lake Constance cycle route : https://www.bodensee.eu/en/what-to-do/active/cycling/bodensee-cycle-route/
Why choose Lake Constance by bike with or without children?
Now, you might be wondering, why did we choose Lake Constance for our cycling adventure? Well let me tell you, this place has everything an adventurous family could want.
The scenery is simply breathtaking , with mountains like the Alps as a backdrop, vineyards and, of course, the beautiful blue lake that accompanied us at many moments, although not at all as you might think.
Furthermore, this cycling route is very safe and suitable for children . Separate bike lanes along many sections ensure peace of mind for parents while their children happily pedal away from cars. And on the sections where you share the road with other vehicles , few cars pass by because these are rural roads with little traffic and very slow-moving vehicles.
And best of all, there are so many interesting things to see and do along the way that it all makes it a perfect 10!
Tips for doing Lake Constance by bike
Before we embark on this adventure, I want to share with you some useful tips we learned during our bike trip around Lake Constance:
Saddlebags with essential minimum luggage
It's important to pack the essentials in your panniers, but without overdoing it . Comfortable clothes, sunscreen, insect repellent, a basic first-aid kit, and of course, plenty of enthusiasm for having fun! Don't worry about food, as you'll find restaurants and places to stock up along the way.
This was our list of essentials in our saddlebags:
- 1 4-person tent
- 1 gas camping stove and 2 gas bottles
- 1 camping utensil kit with pot and pan from Decathlon
- 1 kit to repair punctures and incidents on bicycles and replacement tubes
- 1 comb
- 1 bar of hard soap
- 1 sun cream
- 1 mosquito repellent
- 1 minimum first aid kit (paracetamol, ibuprofen, chloridixidine, gauze, plasters and wound patches)
- 1 headlamp
And for each person:
- 1 cycling team on
- 2 summer outfits (1 of which would also serve as pajamas)
- 1 long pants and a fleece lining
- 1 raincoat
- 1 bottle of water
- 1 sleeping bag
- 1 mat
- 1 mini pillow
Bring bikes or rent them there
If you have your own bikes, I recommend bringing them with you . However, if you don't, you can also rent bikes in many towns around the lake. Just be sure to book in advance, especially if you need bikes for children, as availability can be limited.
In our case we brought our own because we couldn't find rental bikes in our children's sizes.
Normal or electric bicycles
Depending on your fitness level and that of your children, you can opt for regular or electric bikes. Electric bikes are a great option if you want to enjoy the ride without putting in too much effort. There's nothing wrong with pedaling with a little extra help!
In our case, the pedaling was sweaty, while we watched retirees and non-retirees enjoying themselves on the electric bikes.
Turn off mobile data in Switzerland
Here's an important tip: if you're planning to explore the Swiss side of the lake, remember to turn off your mobile data or activate an affordable roaming plan like the one we got with Holaflay. I'll explain how it works in detail below. Mobile data costs in Switzerland can be very high, so avoid unpleasant surprises on your bill.
For us, the best option is Holafly, which offers unlimited data to keep your social media updated and stay in touch with family and friends. It's undoubtedly the best option for price and data allowance . However, keep in mind that this option requires a latest-generation mobile phone that supports eSIMs.
If you don't have a state-of-the-art mobile phone, you may have problems, although we have found a solution to make e-sims work without having a state-of-the-art mobile phone like us: install an e-sim.me first.
You buy it online and the physical SIM card arrives at home and with its app you can now make the e-sim work by downloading it there. It makes the virtual card work for you without a problem, we have verified it on our trip. Read the QR that Holafly sends you in the app and you already have the e-sim installed and working on your mobile that is not the latest generation. And if it is of the latest generation, less hassle and it works super easily for you.
Finally, here's a 5% discount on your Holafly card that we've been given. Click the link below and enter the code Kucavana to get the discount. Using this link not only saves you money, but it also helps us maintain our blog with a small commission. And remember, we don't recommend anything we don't use ourselves, and we always recommend the best after extensive comparison and testing—it's our ethical code and our commitment to you.
Take a travel insurance that covers bicycle and health in Switzerland, Austria and Germany
Safety comes first, especially when it comes to cycling trips with children. Make sure you have travel insurance to cover any mishaps that may occur during your Lake Constance adventure. It never hurts to have that extra peace of mind, especially in Switzerland, where the European health insurance card only covers 50%. So my advice is: get good travel insurance.
We used Iati's plan , and I'm leaving you a discount here that will also give us a small commission and help maintain the blog if you use this link, at no extra cost to you:
Bring an ultra-fast mobile charger
It is always good to have an ultra-fast mobile charger on hand. During our stops, we took the opportunity to charge our devices and make sure we had enough battery to take photos of all the special moments we lived.
Don't be in a hurry. Make cultural and gastronomic stops to enjoy
Remember that you are not competing in a race, so take your time to enjoy the scenery, make cultural and gastronomic stops, and soak up all the magic of Lake Constance. Visit the charming villages along the route, taste the delicious local gastronomy and immerse yourself in the culture of the region.
It is not necessary to reserve if you go camping in a tent as a general rule
If you plan to tent camp, don't worry about making reservations at campsites beforehand. You'll usually find space available, especially if you're traveling outside of peak season. Enjoy the freedom of choosing the perfect place to camp each night!
Swiss Francs and Euros in Switzerland
In the restaurants and places that we visited on our way through Switzerland, they accepted euros everywhere, so for two days that you are on this side of Lake Constance on a bike route, you do not need to take out Swiss francs or exchange euros for francs.
Bondensee Card
There's a card that, for a reasonable price, grants you access to over 160 activities, museums, and attractions on Lake Constance across the three countries you'll be visiting: the Bodensee Card . It includes everything from the most famous museums to paddleboard and kayak rentals and lessons, and even the public ferries that cross the lake. We bought the 3-day card and made good use of it, but not as much as we wanted, since the kids got tired some days and we didn't end up doing everything we'd hoped.
The Germans, neither the Austrians nor the Swiss speak almost English, prepare Google Translator
A small detail to take into account is that English is not widely spoken in this region, especially in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Don't worry, you don't need to be a polyglot to enjoy your trip, but I would recommend having a useful tool like Google translate on hand. I assure you that it will get you out of trouble and will help you communicate with the locals.
Eat in restaurants in Germany and save money in Austria and especially Switzerland where they are twice as expensive
If you are a food lover, you will be delighted to know that during your bike tour around Lake Constance you will have the opportunity to delight yourself with different flavors and traditional dishes. However, keep in mind that restaurant prices may vary depending on the country you are in. If you want to save a little, I would recommend you to enjoy the restaurants in Germany, where the prices are more affordable, and to reserve the restaurants in Austria and, above all, in Switzerland, for special occasions.
Bring enough water. There are not many sources in many sections
During your bike tour, it's important to stay hydrated, especially when the sun is shining brightly! Be sure to bring enough water for you and your children, as there may be few sources available on some sections of the trail. Remember that staying hydrated is essential to enjoy the adventure without setbacks.
Buy fresh fruit on your routes, rich and km0 without having to carry weight all the way
If you are looking for a refreshing and healthy option, I recommend buying fresh fruit during your bike rides. In addition to being delicious, fruit is an excellent source of energy and will help keep you going throughout the day. Take the opportunity to try the local fruits and enjoy their authentic flavor. In addition, by buying fruit on the way, you will avoid having to carry extra weight during the entire route.
Extra advice if you do the route around Lake Constance by bike with children
If you're planning a Lake Constance cycling adventure with your kids, here are some extra tips to make the most of everyone's enjoyment:
Cart or chair if they are small or Trax for the medium ones that cost them
If your children are young, the most practical thing to do is to bring a stroller or bicycle seat so that they can enjoy the ride comfortably and safely. Instead, if they're a bit older and still don't feel confident riding a bike on their own, you might want to consider using a Trax. These devices attach to your bike and allow children to pedal while you guide them. It's a fun way to make them feel part of the adventure!
Take your bikes. It is very difficult to find rental bikes for children of their size, there are only strollers or seats
One of the things we learned during our bike tour is that it can be difficult to find kid-friendly rental bikes at all the stops. Most places only offer strollers or pushchairs for the little ones. If your children already know how to ride a bike, I would recommend bringing their own bikes. In this way, they will be comfortable and enjoy the experience even more.
Have objectives to make entertaining stops in museums such as Zeppeling, Uldinguen de los Palafitos, to climb the cable car on Mount Pfander or simply to eat in a restaurant that you might like
As you plan your route, try to include stops at places that are fun for the kids. Lake Constance is full of interesting museums, such as the Zeppelin Museum or the Uldinguen Museum of Palafitos, which will surely capture your attention. In addition, going up the cable car on Mount Pfander can be an exciting experience for the whole family. Do not forget to also take into account their preferences when choosing restaurants to eat. If you find one with a menu they like, everyone will be happy!
Involve them if you go camping to set up the tent, do the laundry or cook dinner
If you plan to camp during your bike route, take the opportunity to involve your children in the camp tasks. They can help you pitch the tent, do the laundry, or even cook dinner. This will not only teach them useful skills, but it will also make them feel like an active part of the family adventure. Plus, they sure are having a lot of fun in the process!
Make as many stops as possible to cool off in the lake during your bike tour around Lake Constance with children
In the heat of summer, there is nothing more refreshing than taking a dip in the lake. Take advantage of every opportunity to make stops and allow the children to cool off in the crystal clear waters of Lake Constance. It will be an unforgettable and very fun moment for everyone!
Our experience and route during the 5 stages of our route around Lake Constance by bike with children
Let me share a little bit of our personal experience during our family bike trip around Lake Constance!
Next, I'll tell you all about each stage of our bike and tent trip. You can find it in video format and explained in separate posts, one for each stage.
Stage 0: Arrival and preparation for the Lake Constance bike adventure with children
After a 12-hour drive through France and Switzerland , we finally arrived at Lake Constance. We parked our beloved Kucavana, the campervan that accompanied us on this trip, in a private parking lot in Fußach, Austria. The location was perfect, as it was right next to the bike path and allowed us easy access to the route.
Once settled in, we packed all our luggage into the panniers and made sure we had everything we needed. But before setting off, we decided to test the bikes and enjoy our first dip in the lake.
It was a refreshing way to start our adventure!
Next stages, keep reading…
1st stage: From Fußach, Austria, to Arbon, Switzerland (38 km)
2nd Stage: From Arbon, Switzerland, to Constance in Germany (38 km in the heat of the heat wave)
Stage 4: From Uldingen to Kressbronn, with a visit to the medieval village of Meersburg with 2 castles and a visit to the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen (41 km)
Lake Constance Europe map: what to see and campsites in Lake Constance for your route around Lake Constance by bike
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