Lake Constance circular route
The Bodensee-Rundwanderweg , signposted as Bodensee-Rundweg , leads around Lake Constance through the national territories of Germany , Austria and Switzerland .
Emergence
Hiking clubs from Germany, Austria and Switzerland marked the trail in the 1960s and inaugurated it on October 25, 1970 at the Birnau pilgrimage church as the fourth international long-distance hiking trail in Europe. The aim was to provide hiking opportunities close to the shore for visitors to the recreation areas on the lake. The originally awarded path is 256 kilometers long.
Routing
Not all shore zones are accessible because of industrial settlements, buildings and nature reserves. Then the path runs around these zones. Also in the estuary of the rivers, such as. B. Leiblach , Bregenz Ach , canalized Rhine and Old Rhine (Fußacher piercing) sometimes considerable distances have to be covered inland to the next bridge or border crossing point. Sometimes the Lake Constance circular route also runs as a high-altitude path above the lake because of the busy riverside roads or because of the panoramic views.
The marking of the Lake Constance circular route is an arrow rounded to the right around a blue point. In Switzerland, the sub-destinations are instead indicated on yellow-ground signposts. The labeling is often reduced to the note "hiking trail".
The sections
A good cartographic marking of the course is contained in hiking maps of the Lake Constance region on a scale of 1: 50,000 to 1: 75,000. A rough description of the route in stages can be found in the marginal notes on the compass hiking map of Lake Constance. Circumnavigations of the Obersee , Überlinger See or the Untersee can also be done in many smaller sections. Local information boards are set up every now and then along or near the Lake Constance circular route, e.g. B. on Lake Constance Path . Suggestions can also be found in the descriptions of the Lake Constance cycle path .
Around the Obersee
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- From Meersburg to Immenstaad
The Lake Constance circular route begins at Meersburger Obertor, follows Stefan-Lochner-Strasse and, after crossing the ravine (Töbelestrasse), joins the Höhenweg to Hagnau. Shortly before crossing the ravine, a chapel on the side of the path with a copy of the Stalingrad Madonna commemorates the fate of the Second World War . On the high path above the vineyards, the vineyards are explained on display boards. Hagnau on Lake Constance with its winegrowers' association is reached via the weather cross and memorial and a ravine .
Alternatively, the route, which is heavily used by cyclists, leads from the lower town of Meersburg with its harbor below the vineyards via the Haltnau estate to the fishing village of Hagnau . In Hagnau there is a commemorative stone at the ship landing site in the green area of the Seegfrörne from 1880 and at the east port of 1963.
The Lake Constance circular route leads around the outdoor swimming pool on the lakeshore, then close to the shore to Immenstaad on Lake Constance to the ship landing stage there .
- From Immenstaad to Friedrichshafen
The Lake Constance circular route runs from the ship landing stage in Immenstaad along the shore to the campsite. From there inland to federal highway 31. From there to Manzell, the path goes next to the B 31, past the long industrial area of Airbus and the Grenzhof, then through Fischbach and onto the lakeside path at Manzell, which was opened in 2015 . The way to Seemoos runs towards the sea , then around the Württemberg castle . Then along the magnificent lake promenade from Friedrichshafen to the port and Zeppelin Museum (old port station).
- From Friedrichshafen to Kressbronn
The Bodensee-Rundweg leads from Friedrichshafen harbor past the large car park. He then branched right into the nature reserve Eriskircher Ried , on the Schussen through Langenargen at Montfort Castle over, about the evil one to ship pier in Kressbronn .
- From Kressbronn to Lindau
The Lake Constance circular route leads from Kressbronn deep inland via Retterschen and Hattnau to Wasserburg.
Alternatively, there is a path from the Kressbronn shipping pier to Nonnenhorn . Then it runs partly inland and partly near the shore to Wasserburg , in whose church the dates of the last sea frosts are documented.
The Lake Constance circular route then leads from Wasserburg partly inland to Bad Schachen , a district of Lindau. Then because of the closure of the bank by villas inland and finally over the Lindau Bodenseedamm to the port of the island of Lindau .
- From Lindau to Bregenz
This time the Lake Constance circular route leads from the port of Lindau over the road bridge to the east to the mainland. From there it runs deep inland via Reutin , Oberreutin , Streitelsfingen , Rickenbach , Oberhochsteg and to the border crossing at Unterhochsteg .
Alternatively, after crossing the road bridge to the east to the mainland, a path leads close to the river Leiblach . From there it goes to the inland bridge of the road border crossing to Austria.
The Lake Constance circular route goes from the border crossing along the railway embankment to the train station in Lochau / Hörbranz , where a white marble stele in the green area reminds of the dates of the frozen sea of Lake Constance and the flood levels. Then on the railway line and later on the sloping lakeside fortifications past the Bregenz military baths to the port of Bregenz .
- From Bregenz to Fußach
The Lake Constance circular route leads from the port in Bregenz past the floating stage of the Bregenz Festival , on to the shores of Lake Constance (in the distance the Mehrerau monastery ) to the Bregenz Ach . Inland along this river, past the rapids to and over the road bridge. On the opposite bank through Hard to the harbor, from there to the Dornbirner Ach and on the river bank back inland. Then the road bridge over the double run of the Dornbirner Ach and the fast flowing Rhine to Fußach to the stop of the city bus to Bregenz.
- From Fußach to Rorschach
From the bus stop in Fußach to the Lake Constance circular route . It leads in the direction of the Rohrspitz / Rheindelta nature reserve. The path runs along the reed belt of the nature reserve towards Rohrspitz and on the high water dike towards Rheinspitz to the old course of the Rhine. Now it goes very far inland on the bank of the old Rhine to the wooden bridge for pedestrians near Gaißau . There it goes over to the Swiss bank to Rheineck without border formalities . The circular route leads very far inland via Buriet , the Buechberg and Rorschacher Berg to Rorschach.
An alternative is the route from Rheineck along the old Rhine between the motorway and the Swiss bank of the Rhine in the direction of Altenrhein Airport, past the Friedensreich Hundertwasser market hall . From there along Hauptstrasse 13 towards Rorschach to the train station.
- From Rorschach to Romanshorn
The Lake Constance circular route leads from Rorschach deep inland via Goldach , Tübach to the lakeshore near Steinach .
Alternatively, you can take the main road 13 from Rorschach to Steinach.
From Steinach, the Lake Constance circular route sometimes runs along the shore, sometimes along main road 13 to Arbon and the Romanshorn ferry port .
- From Romanshorn to Kreuzlingen
The Constance-circular path extending from the station in Romanshorn between the railway line and the waterside Munsterlingen where above in the convent church since 1963, the wood bust of John (Acts) is, until it at a new Seegfrörne in a Eisprozession across the upper lake to the German Partnergemeinde Hagnau carried becomes. The circular route goes through the grounds of the clinics from Münsterlingen to Bottighofen . From there on the Swiss bank of the Konstanz funnel through the Seeburg Park to the port of Kreuzlingen . From there to Kreuzlingen train station.
Alternatively from the port of Kreuzlingen via the Seestrasse (Switzerland) without customs formalities via the border crossing in Klein Venice to the Hafenstrasse (Germany) to the port of Constance with a ship connection to Meersburg.
- From Konstanz-Hafen to Konstanz-Staad
From the port of Constance, the feeder path leads past the council building, between the railway line and the city garden, then past the historic Insel-Hotel over the Rhine bridge of Constance, which crosses the Seerhein . From the bridge the stairs lead down to Seestrasse.
The Bodensee-Rundweg leads from the Rhine bridge on Seestrasse (along the lakeshore), goes around the Lorettowald and then goes to the waterworks and the Staad ferry port .
An alternative to circumnavigating the Lorettowald is to continue along the lake from Seestraße towards the Jakob leisure pool, Horn outdoor pool ("Hörnle") with a lighthouse in the lake and then continue towards the waterworks.
By taking the ferry to Meersburg , the circumnavigation of the Obersee is completed.
Around the Überlinger See
- From Konstanz-Staad to Wallhausen
At the ferry port in Staad, the Lake Constance circular route goes off to the right in the middle of the uphill shipping route to the south bank of the Überlinger See. Because of the forest and the route above the lake there is no direct contact with the lake shore. The Bodensee-Rundweg and the Bodensee-Radweg run on the same route as far as Wallhausen. Stops on the hike are the access to the island of Mainau , the villages of Litzelstetten , Dingelsdorf and the ship landing stage of Wallhausen . From Wallhausen it is possible to return to Konstanz by city bus or to cross the lake with the Wallhausen - Überlingen passenger ship.
- From Wallhausen to Bodman (closed since 2015 due to a landslide)
From the ship pier in Wallhausen, the Lake Constance circular route leads through the forest on a narrow, wooded footpath, which is closed to cyclists, on the steep slope of the Bodanrück just above the lake shore. After a distance of around 1.5 km, the oval Teufelstisch rock needle is located under water on the right in the lake . It is an elevation behind the drop from shallow to deep water ("rocks"). You can see the position of the devil's table on the sea mark 22 (from the back) and the lighter color of the water. Over the Marienschlucht on the steeply sloping Bodanrück to Bodman . Past Bodman Castle to the Bodman ship landing stage. From there with the ship of the Motorbootgesellschaft Bodman mbH , which sails several times a day, in a zigzag course to Überlingen.
- From Bodman to Sipplingen
From the port in Bodman the Bodensee-Rundweg leads into the Kaiserpfalzstraße towards Ludwigshafen. Left on the mountain is the open-air exhibition of numerous sculptures by Peter Lenk . Then it goes right along the lake with a vegetation of reed belt and alluvial forest. The view of the lake is only possible a few times, e.g. B. at the lookout points to observe the resting migratory birds. You continue along the banks of the river below the Stahringen – Friedrichshafen railway line to the former Baden main customs office at Ludwigshafen harbor. On the narrow side of the former customs office there is a relief of Peter Lenk Ludwig's legacy to rename the place from Sernatingen to Ludwigshafen and other inconsistencies in the story. The route continues along the Ludwigshafen lakeside, crossing under the railway line, then crossing the B 31. A high path leads 15 to 100 meters above the lake through orchards and forests with a good view of the lake.
Alternatively, at the entrance to Sipplingen, a path leads down to the lake promenade, which runs between the railway line and the lake to the port of Sipplingen . From there by boat of the Bodman motor boat company via Ludwigshafen back to Bodman.
- From Sipplingen to Überlingen
The route of the Lake Constance circular route from Sipplingen to Überlingen is not recommended as a high-altitude route because steep inclines, steeply sloping paths and uneven quality of the path have an extremely negative impact on the hike.
Alternatively, the route leads from the port of Sipplingen along the busy federal road 31 and the Stahringen – Friedrichshafen railway to Überlingen. There is no way directly on the lakeshore because the railroad tracks, the road and rising hills leave no space. Shortly before Überlingen the Molasse rock rises steeply on the road. This is followed by the St. Sylvester Chapel (Goldbach) from the first half of the 9th century with wall paintings. Shortly before crossing the level crossing, a detour to Oberen Bahnhofstrasse is recommended, where two memorial plaques and a cross at one of the tunnel entrances commemorate the victims on the occasion of the construction of the Goldbach tunnel during the National Socialist era. Then the Überlinger Therme follows. Then the path leads through green areas and directly on the lake shore to the Überlinger Hafen.
- From Überlingen to Meersburg
The Lake Constance circular route runs from Überlingen far above the lake to the Birnau pilgrimage church . The view from the terrace at the Birnau monastery extends far into the Überlinger See.
Alternatively, a path leads along the lakeshore from the promenade at the port of Überlingen to Nussdorf and Maurach Castle below the Birnau pilgrimage church .
From Birnau, the Lake Constance circular route descends steeply through vineyards to Maurach, then through the Seefelden nature reserve to Unteruhldingen with the Unteruhldingen pile dwelling museum .
The Bodensee-Rundweg now goes from Unteruhldingen to Meersburg through forest far above Lake Constance. Beautiful vantage points (path in front of the Glaserhäusle, Ödenstein and Himmelsbergweg) are touched near Meersburg. From the Himmelsbergweg it goes to the upper town of Meersburg.
Alternatively, a path leads directly from Unteruhldingen between Landesstraße 201 (the old federal road) and the lakeshore to the Meersburg ferry port, from there to the lower town with its lake promenade.
With the ferry to Konstanz-Staad. This completes the circumnavigation of the Überlinger See.
Around the Untersee (Lake Constance)
Swiss section of the banks of the Untersee
- From Constance to Berlingen
The feeder route to the Lake Constance circular route leads from the port of Constance via the Marktstätte, Kanzleistraße to Gottlieber Straße. At the end of this street the motorway is crossed over a pedestrian bridge and shortly afterwards the Gottlieber Customs to Switzerland is passed. To demonstrate the history of the border, a small section of the border fence with a height of about 2½ meters has been preserved. The border fence was erected by Germany from the winter of 1939/40 to seal off.
Around 400 meters after the Gottlieber Zoll, the Lake Constance circular route leads to the banks of the Seerhein as a footpath . The path follows the natural bank in the direction of Gottlieben. At the edge of the road just before Gottlieben lies the former moated castle, today's Gottlieben Castle , in whose two towers from the 14th century Jan Hus , Hieronymus von Prag and the later deposed Pope Johannes XXIII. (Antipope) 1414-1418 were imprisoned. Gottlieben impresses with its half-timbered houses and the location on the lake.
The Lake Constance circular route leads from Gottlieben along the Espenriet nature reserve. The remains of a bunker from the Kreuzlingen fortress belt , part of the network of defensive fortifications in Switzerland, are still visible. Along the lake side of the railway line to the village of Ermatingen . Three large fishing boats from the time of trawling are exhibited on the bank. The half-timbered houses of Ermatingen are lined up along the Seestrasse. From Ermatingen the Bodensee-Rundweg is chosen again on the lake side of the railway line to Mannenbach-Salenstein .
The Lake Constance circular route then runs inland from Eschlibach above the railway line to Berlingen . The sinking of the paddle steamer Rheinfall in 1869 is commemorated at the Berlingen landing stage . As a reminder, the shattered cauldron of the ship of the accident was set up.
Alternatively, a path in front of and in Berlingen TG leads along the busy main road 13. The boat of the Swiss shipping company Untersee und Rhein is taken to return to Constance.
- From Berlingen to Stein am Rhein
The Lake Constance circular route runs inland from Berlingen above the railway line to Steckborn . In Steckborn there is the tower courtyard from 1282 and the town hall with direct access to the ship landing site.
Alternatively, a path from Berlingen as a combined bicycle / hiking path leads directly to the busy national road and the lakeshore to Steckborn.
From Steckborn, the Lake Constance circular route initially leads above national road 13 in the direction of Mammern . Later it runs above the railway line, then below the railway line. The path then follows the natural bank to Mammern. From there it runs first above the railway line, then between the road and the lake to Eschenz .
As a detour in Eschenz, a visit to the Franciscan monastery on the Rhine island of Werd (Lake Constance) is possible via a wooden walkway that is only usable for pedestrians.
From Eschenz, the Lake Constance circular route runs along the riverside path, past the “Untersee and Rhine water and migratory bird reserve” to the Stein am Rhein bridge over the Rhine . Across the Rhine bridge to the medieval town of Stein am Rhein on the right bank of the Rhine, which was completely preserved despite an erroneous bomb attack in World War II . The city gates, the fountains and the medieval townscape with many facade paintings as well as the St. Georgen monastery are remarkable .
The way back is by boat in a zigzag course between the German and Swiss banks to Berlingen.
German shore section of the Untersee and Zellersee
- From Stein am Rhein (Switzerland) to Hemmenhofen (Germany)
From the town hall square in Stein am Rhein along the side street towards Wangen.
Outside of the city of Stein am Rhein, the Lake Constance circular route runs as a cycle / footpath between the lake and the side street. The border between Switzerland and Germany is only symbolically marked by a historical border post for the canton of Schaffhausen and a border board for the Federal Republic of Germany. This is followed by the inaccessible Kattenhorn Castle with the St. Blasius Chapel (Kattenhorn), which is accessible from the outside. From Schloss Kattenhorn a very steep ascent to the country road. Then next to the country road to Wangen. In Wangen, a footpath near the lake branches off to the harbor, to the ship landing stage and past the campsite to a reed zone on the shore. Then back up to the country road. Seefern along the country road, past the inaccessible conference center Schloss Marbach (Öhningen) to Hemmenhofen. Shortly before Hemmenhofen, a footpath branches off to the lakeshore and continues near the lake to the Hemmenhofen ship landing site. With the ship of the Schweizerische Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Untersee and Rhein on a zigzag course between the Swiss and German banks to Stein am Rhein.
- From Hemmenhofen to Radolfzell
From the ship landing site in Hemmenhofen, the Lake Constance circular route leads about 100 meters along the lake shore. Then a footpath leads up to the country road.
Then the Lake Constance circular route continues above the country road and leads to Gaienhofen .
Alternatively, the combined foot / bike path to Gaienhofen runs right next to the country road.
In Gaienhofen, the Lake Constance circular route leads down the road towards the lake and past the Gaienhofen Castle boarding school . Now it goes through the nature reserve, which is sometimes cultivated without machines to protect the plants, via Horn (district of Gaienhofen) with a view of the parish church above, Iznang (district of Moos) to Moos (on Lake Constance) . From Moos, the Lake Constance circular route runs as a combined bike / footpath alongside the country road to Radolfzell. This section of the country road is built as a dam across a wetland with dense reeds and crosses the Radolfzeller Aach . From Radolfzell back to Hemmenhofen with the Südbadenbus .
At the Gnadensee from Radolfzell to Constance
- From Radolfzell to Allensbach
The Lake Constance circular route leads from the east of Radolfzell seefern via Markelfingen to Allensbach .
Alternative: From the east of Radolfzell, the Riedweg runs above the railway line. It continues through the town of Markelfingen and next to the district road 6170 to Allensbach. Every now and then a view of the Mettnau peninsula and, with increasing proximity to Allensbach, the island of Reichenau is possible. In the center of Allensbach, go down to the Seeweg, which runs between the railway line and houses on the lake shore. Along the railway line it goes to the Allensbach train station or to the bus stop on Dorfstraße. From there back to Radolfzell by bus or train.
- From Allensbach to Constance
From the Allensbach train station, the feeder road goes up to the Schmieder clinics after crossing under the federal highway 33 .
The Lake Constance circular route runs behind the Schmieder Clinic along the edge of the forest. He continues off the sea, first above the Hegne monastery , then past the monastery walls and finally through the forest very far from the lake to Wollmatingen . The Bodensee-Rundweg makes a big detour in the middle of the Bodanrück via Allmannsdorf to Konstanz.
An alternative is to travel from Wollmatingen to Konstanz by bus from Stadtwerke Konstanz or to return by train from Konstanz-Wollmatingen train station to Allensbach train station.
Day tours
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The total distance around the Ober-, Unter- and Überlinger See of approx. 260 km can only be covered in several day hikes. This can also be done from a permanent holiday accommodation on the lake with daily journeys to and from the lake. The Bodenseeschifffahrt provides essential feeder services .
Feeder connections Obersee
On the northern side of Lake Constance, the ships of the Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe between Überlingen, Meersburg, Friedrichshafen and Lindau to Bregenz, Austria, are good feeders during the summer schedule. The bus lines along the main road from Überlingen to Friedrichshafen can also be used. There are good bus connections from Bregenz to Fußach and the railway line to St. Margarethen in Switzerland. In Swiss territory, the train along Lake Constance from Romanshorn to Kreuzlingen is easy to reach. The car ferry from Friedrichshafen to Romanshorn and the car ferry Meersburg to Konstanz-Staad as well as the shipping lines from Lindau to Rorschach or from Friedrichshafen to Rorschach or the private tour boats cross between the north and south shores of the Obersee or the private tour boats from the port of Constance to Konstanz-Therme, Bottighofen (CH ) and back to Constance harbor.
Feeder connections to Überlinger See
The Wallhausen – Überlingen passenger boat service operates across the Überlinger See with a connection to the Konstanz bus network or the Überlingen – Friedrichshafen bus line (“Seelinie”). The ships of the Bodman motorboat company run several times a day between Überlingen and Bodman in a zigzag course across Lake Überlingen . The Bodman – Ludwigshafen route is served by the Stockach – Ludwigshafen – Bodman – Stahringen bus route. The Ludwigshafen – Überlingen route by the Überlingen – Ludwigshafen – Stockach bus line and by rail.
Feeder connections to the Swiss banks of the Untersee
From Kreuzlingen via Konstanz a ship of the " Swiss Shipping Company Untersee und Rhein " sails several times a day in a zigzag course between the German and Swiss banks to Stein am Rhein (and on to Schaffhausen). Furthermore, a Thurbo train runs at short intervals between Kreuzlingen via Konstanz and then on Swiss territory to Stein am Rhein (and on to Schaffhausen).
Feeder connections to the German shores of the Untersee and Zeller See
Ships of the Swiss shipping company Untersee and Rhine operate between Stein am Rhein and Hemmenhofen. In addition, the railway's Südbadenbus regularly runs the route between Stein am Rhein, Hemmenhofen and Radolfzell.
Feeder connections Gnadensee
Between Allensbach and Radolfzell the wrong Südbadenbus 7354th The web path between Konstanz , Konstanz- Wollmatingen , Allensbach and Radolfzell is the Seehas operated. From Wollmatingen to Konstanz buses run by the Stadtwerke Konstanz .
literature
- Kompass (Ed.): Hiking and cycling tour map. Lake Constance area 1: 75000 with compass lexicon . Compass maps, Rum / Innsbruck 2004, ISBN 3-85491-002-9 .
- Freytag-Berndt, Artaria (ed.): Hiking, cycling and leisure map. Traffic and sheet section overview for WK D2. Bodensee 1: 50000 with leisure guide Bodensee. Vienna 2008, ISBN 978-3-85084-813-8 .
- Geomap Medienagentur GmbH: Hiking and leisure map Euregio Bodensee 1: 50,000. Stuttgart, approx. 2013, ISBN 3-933671-18-3 .
Web links
- Route and stages on Fernwege.de
Individual evidence
- ↑ Georg Fahrbach : Opening of the Bodensee-Rundweg , in "Blätter des Schwäbischen Albverein" No. 6, November / December 1970, p. 176
- ↑ Theodor Müller-Alfeld (Ed.): Der Bodensee. Landscape, cities and culture on the Swabian Sea. revised by Erwin Pfirrmann. Stapp Verlag, Berlin 1976, ISBN 3-87776-005-8 , p. 132.
- ↑ Thomas Zoch: Marienschlucht remains tight. In: "Südkurier", April 11, 2017
- ↑ Ramona Löffler and Nikolaj Schützbach: New debate about the Marienschlucht. In: "Südkurier", May 23, 2018.
- ↑ Julia Russ: A visit to the land of many fortresses. In: Südkurier of May 21, 2015.
- ↑ Marbach Castle Conference and Seminar Center on Lake Constance
HW 1: Swabian Alb North Edge Path | HW 2: Swabian Alb South Rim Trail | HW 3: Main-Neckar-Rhein-Weg | HW 4: Main-Danube-Bodensee-Weg | HW 5: Black Forest-Swabian-Alb-Allgäu-Weg | HW 6: Limes hiking trail | HW 7: Swabian-Alb-Upper Swabian Way | HW 8: Frankenweg | HW 9: Heuberg-Allgäu-Weg | HW 10: Stromberg-Swabian Forest Path | Georg-Fahrbach-Weg (GFW) | Württemberg Wine Trail (WWW) | Neckarweg | Lake Constance circular route | Main-Danube-Way | Upper Swabian Way of St. James | Franconian-Swabian Way of St. James