Chocolate, Rhine and flowers

An exceptional trip from the Swiss Alps to Lake Constance lies ahead of you. By a small lake in the Alps, the Tomasee, part of the great Rhine has its source. A sign indicating 1320 km to the mouth of the river stands here. What a distance to accomplish by bike! Your bike trip starts in Bonaduz, at about 70 km from here, where Vorder Rhine and Hinter Rhine meet. Two nights will be spent on this sun terrace of the Alps and provide for enough time to discover the beauty of both headstreams. Further discoveries are to follow: The Principality of Liechtenstein, the nature reserve of the Rhine delta, the holiday paradise Lake Constance, the flower island Mainau and Constance, the starting and ending point of this unique bike trip.

1. day  Arriving in Constance

Arrive early, Constance will surely reward you! Take your time walking around the beautiful old town and marvelling at the church Stephanskirche, the “Hohe Haus”, the cathedral square and Niederburg castle. Anyone who is interested should join a guided to tour led by the night guard.

2. day  Source of the Rhine - Bonaduz

Today, there will be a lot of time at your free disposition as your luggage and bikes will be transported up the river for you while you travel independently by train (travel time: about three hours). Bonaduz is situated on a sun terrace between the confluence of the Vorder Rhine and the Hinter Rhine. Discover the Hinter Rhine and the impressive Via Mala canyon on a half-day cycling trip. This great nature monument consisting of a rock face reaching 300 metres high into the sky, a canyon measuring only a few metres in breadth and a fantastical play of colours in the water can be crossed on a bridge from 1739.

3. day  Side trip to the Vorder Rhine

Today is made for an interesting trip along the Vorder Rhine. Take the train to the Oberalppass mountain pass (2 hours, about ? 44) by the Tomasee to make a day’s trip of it or opt for the shorter trip through Switzerland’s Grand Canyon (25 minutes by train, about ? 15) with the Vorder Rhine canyon as your destination (240 metres difference in altitude).

4. day  Bonaduz - Sargans 46 km

The Rhine bike trail comfortably takes you to Chur in the Alps, today the capital of the canton Graubünden, the oldest town in all of Switzerland and an important Episcopal city. Walk around the old lanes and visit the Episcopal grounds with the cathedral. Majestic mountain tops guide your way to the spa town Bad Ragaz, situated in the holiday region Heidiland, afterwards. The pilgrimage chapel St. Leonhard with its unique altars and the healing waters lead to Bad Ragaz from their origin in the hot springs since 1840 are real highlights. Only a few kilometres separate you from Sargans anymore, where the castle stands as a witness of the times when the Swiss bailiffs still reigned over the Rhine valley in the 18th century. Out of 64 museums from 17 countries, the local museum was elected the European “Museum of the Year” in 1984.

5. day  Sargans - Feldkirch 42 km

1 day - 3 countries. Situated in the heart of Europe is the Principality of Liechtenstein. From Switzerland, you will cycle along the Rhine to Vaduz, the capital of this small state. Visit the world famous stamp collection and write postcards from here on an enjoyable coffee break before crossing the boarder to Feldkrich in Austria. Let the worthwhile old town impress you with its cobblestone pavement, narrow streets, romantic arcades and house facades of a breathtaking beauty.

6. day  Feldkirch - Rorschach/ Arbon/ Egnach, 58–70 km

This day bears two unique sights for you: Cycle through the Rhine delta to reach Lake Constance. Marvel at the nature preserve of the Rhine delta, extending over 2000 hectars it is one of the most important nesting and resting places for birds in Central Europe. It finally appears in front of you: Lake Constance, on of Germany’s most beautiful holiday regions. On the bike trail by the shore of the lake, you will comfortably reach Rorschach, Arbon or Egnach.

7. day  Rorschach/ Arbon/ Egnach - Konstanz, 25–40 km

The Lake Constance bike trail takes you past idyllic half-timbered villages and meadows with scattered fruit trees to the medieval imperial city Constance. Enjoy this magnificent town by the lake and do not miss out on a nice trip to the flower island Mainau with its historical buildings, the palm house, mammoth trees and thousands of flowers whose beauty impresses every visitor.

8. day  Leaving Constance

If you wish, it is possible to extend your bike trip along the Rhine to Freiburg or to the romantic Middle Rhine between Mainz and Cologne.