Austria to France: Four Countries Lake Constance to Alsace Bike Tour
Six-nights; five-days of scenic cycling through Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and France, travelling from the waters of Lake Constance to Alsace’s medieval wine villages and the historic streets of Strasbourg.
“The highlights were the mix of cycling and exploration of historical sites.” Garry & Susan K.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Cycle through four countries in one week — Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and France — following waterside routes, riverside lanes, vineyard tracks, and easy cross-border paths
- Enjoy panoramic views over the Alps and Lake Constance from the Pfänder cable car before you begin riding.
- Explore Konstanz, Stein am Rhein, Colmar, Riquewihr, and Ribeauvillé — medieval towns distinguished by painted facades, lively squares, and inviting cafés.
- Experience the Black Forest by both bike and train: ride peaceful woodland roads, visit the source of the Danube, and travel on one of Germany’s most scenic rail lines into the highlands.
- Sample regional classics along the way: Swiss chocolate, Black Forest cake, Alsatian wine, and French pastries.
- Follow the vine-lined hills between the Vosges and the Rhine, passing some of the most admired wine villages in France.
- Roll along the long, straight Canal du Rhône au Rhin towpath directly into Strasbourg — a remarkably calm and graceful approach to one of Europe’s great cultural cities.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
This is a mostly moderate ride with comfortable daily distances and a mix of lakeside riding, riverside routes, and gentle vineyard terrain. Short climbs appear in the Black Forest, but the surfaces are largely paved, and cycling networks in all four countries are well marked. Road, hybrid, or e-bikes are all suitable. A scenic train from Singen into the high Black Forest avoids what would otherwise be a demanding ascent.
Daily Distance:
- 1: Independent Arrival in Bregenz.
- 2: Bregenz to Konstanz ~66km (+350m / -350m).
- 3: Konstanz to Titisee ~42km (+250m / -250m), train ride into the Black Forest.
- 4: Titisee to Ihringen ~56km (+500m / -1150m).
- 5: Ihringen to Ribeauvillé (France) ~52km (+450m / -400m).
- 6: Ribeauvillé to Strasbourg ~66km (+250m / -350m).
- 7: Depart Strasbourg.
(Click image to enlarge)
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: Bregenz, Hotel Messmer, Day One. You will travel independently to Bregenz, usually by train from Munich, and will meet your guide here at 09:00 on the morning of Day Two.
Finish: Strasbourg, after breakfast, Day Seven.
Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.
Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.
DAY 1:
Independent Arrival in Bregenz.
Arrive in Munich and spend a few hours exploring the Bavarian capital before boarding a direct train to the lakeside town of Bregenz on Lake Constance. Settle in for the evening and stretch your legs with a stroll along the waterfront, where the Alps rise sharply behind the lake.
Hotel Messmer, or Hotel Kleiner Löwe, Bregenz.DAY 2:
Bregenz to Konstanz ~66km (+350m / -350m).
Begin the day with a trip up the Pfänder cable car (Pfänderbahn) for a sweeping view over Lake Constance and the Alps. Cycle along the lakeshore, cross the Rhine where it flows into the lake, and enter Switzerland. The route follows quiet shoreline paths through several small Swiss communities noted for excellent chocolate and cakes. Re-enter Germany in lively Konstanz, a university town with a historic centre full of cafés, lakeside promenades, and gelato stands.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Hotel VIVA SKY, or Karl – das Cityhotel Konstanz, Konstanz.DAY 3:
Konstanz to Titisee ~42km (+250m / -250m), train ride into the Black Forest.
Continue along the Rhine into Switzerland toward the town of Stein am Rhein, known for its painted medieval facades. Ride west toward Singen, where you’ll board a scenic train climbing into the heart of the Black Forest. Stop in Donaueschingen to visit the spring of the Danube River before continuing to the highlands near Lake Titisee. Spend the afternoon walking or riding around the lake, dipping into the cool forest paths, or taking a paddle boat out on the water. The local Black Forest cake is practically mandatory.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner.
NATURE TITISEE – Easy.Life.Hotel., or Boutique Hotel Alemannenhof, Titisee.DAY 4:
Titisee to Ihringen ~56km (+500m / -1150m).
Ride along the shores of Lake Titisee and climb gradually toward the slopes of Feldberg, the highest mountain in the Black Forest. Ambitious riders can continue to Seebuck, where a chairlift leads to spectacular views over both the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley. A forest track leads past the small, peaceful Mathisleweiher lake. Later, enjoy a long descent toward Freiburg before meandering through vineyard country to Ihringen, the wine capital of the region.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Hotel Goldener Engel, or Hotel Garni Kaiserstuhl, Ihringen.DAY 5:
Ihringen to Ribeauvillé (France) ~52km (+450m / -400m).
Ride toward the Rhine and cross into France at Breisach. Visit the fortress town of Neuf-Brisach, a UNESCO-listed example of French military engineering designed by Vauban. Stop at a café for pastries before continuing to Colmar, a medieval city filled with half-timbered houses, narrow lanes, and excellent shops. Your route then enters the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, with a stop in Riquewihr—one of the most picturesque wine villages in Alsace. Finish the day in Ribeauvillé, known for wine, medieval towers, and excellent dining.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hôtel and Restaurant du Mouton, Ribeauvillé.DAY 6:
Ribeauvillé to Strasbourg ~66km (+250m / -350m).
Cycle across the Rhine Valley plain and join the long, straight Canal du Rhône au Rhin towpath, a remarkably calm route that guides you directly toward Strasbourg. Storks often nest on the rooftops of nearby villages, and you may spot them standing in their sprawling twig nests above the fields. Near the edge of the city, the towpath merges smoothly with Strasbourg’s extensive cycling network, giving you an easy, traffic-light-free approach into the historic centre.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner.
Arok Hotel, Hôtel du Dragon, or Hotel Beaucour, Strasbourg.DAY 7:
Depart Strasbourg.
Your tour ends after breakfast. Strasbourg is a vibrant cultural centre and home to the European Parliament, with excellent museums, architecture, and riverside districts—well worth a full day or more before travelling onward. High-speed trains connect directly to Paris in under three hours, and frequent rail service also links to Frankfurt.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2026 DATES:
Please contact us with your preferred date
2027 DATES:
Please contact us with your preferred date
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(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: TBA (per person, double occupancy)
TBA
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: TBA (per person, double occupancy)
TBA
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: Add TBA
Tour cost excludes airfare and travel to and from the starting point, costs for activities listed as optional, bar and beverage bills, meals not shown as included, gratuities for your driver and/or guides.
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid-Fitness: Included
Change to E-bike: TBA
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided departure, this usually involves a surcharge depending on the details. Those who prefer to travel self-guided typically need only two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and we can sometimes offer reduced rates for larger groups. Please get in touch for more information.
BEST TIMES
The best time to enjoy this tour is May through October, when lakeside paths, forest routes, and vineyard roads are at their most pleasant.
- Spring, (May to early June) brings mild days around 15–22 °C (60–72 °F), fresh greenery along the water, and vineyards just beginning to leaf out. Some smaller cafés may keep shorter hours early in the season.
- Summer, (mid-June to early September) offers warm, bright days at 22–28 °C (72–82 °F), ideal for swimming in Lake Constance, outdoor dining, and lingering in towns like Konstanz and Colmar.
- Autumn (September to October) features comfortable temperatures of 15–22 °C (60–72 °F), golden vineyards across the Rhine Valley, and especially lovely colours in the Black Forest. Nights are cooler but rarely cold.
GET TO THE START
If you fly: The most convenient arrival airport is Munich (MUC). From there, frequent direct trains run to Bregenz, taking approximately 2½–3 hours and dropping you a short walk or taxi ride from your first inn. Travellers often choose to spend a night or a few hours in Munich before heading to Lake Constance.
Alternative airports:
- Zurich (ZRH) – trains to Bregenz take about 1½–2 hours with one easy connection
- Friedrichshafen (FDH) – a small regional option close to Lake Constance
AFTER THE FINISH
Cycling ends on Day 6 as you arrive in Strasbourg. Your tour officially concludes after breakfast on Day 7, allowing time to explore the city or continue your travels.
Strasbourg has excellent rail connections:
- Paris via high-speed TGV in under 3 hours
- Frankfurt in roughly 2½–3 hours with one easy connection
- Zurich in approximately 2½ hours
Flights depart from Strasbourg (SXB), Basel–Mulhouse (BSL/MLH), Frankfurt (FRA), and Paris (CDG).
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
- Spend a relaxed day in Lindau, a small island town on Lake Constance, known for its historic lighthouse and gentle promenades. It’s a short train ride from Bregenz.
- Extend your stay in Lochau or Hard, two Austrian communities with welcoming swimming spots and shoreline walking paths.
If you have several days:
- Visit the Black Forest Open-Air Museum (Vogtsbauernhof), where historic farmhouses, mills, and workshops sit in a scenic valley setting.
- Spend a couple of days in Basel, a Rhine-side city with excellent museums, summer river swimming, and convenient rail links in every direction.
- Add a restful stay in Baden-Baden, known for its grand thermal baths and leafy parks.
MORE READING
This region has been a natural crossroads for centuries, shaped by the flow of the Rhine and the trade routes surrounding Lake Constance. Bregenz began as a Celtic settlement later absorbed into the Roman Empire, and traces of that layered history still shape the lakeshore towns. Konstanz grew into a major medieval centre and hosted the Council of Constance in the early 1400s, a meeting that helped reshape the religious and political map of Europe. Much of the early riding follows the Rhine as it leaves the lake—a river that has long marked cultural boundaries while remaining a shared lifeline for the communities along its banks.
The Black Forest, despite its name, is a patchwork of mixed woodland, small farms, and traditional villages, with high valleys and quiet routes that have inspired folklore for generations and helped sustain traditions in woodworking, cuckoo clocks, and hearty mountain food.
Crossing west into France brings you into Alsace, a region shaped by both French and German influences over hundreds of years; its medieval wine villages, half-timbered houses, and narrow streets reflect a blend of languages, traditions, and architectural styles found nowhere else. The Rhine Valley plain, sheltered by the Vosges Mountains, produces some of France’s most distinctive white wines and has been cultivated since Roman times. Taken together, these landscapes—alpine lake, river corridor, forested plateau, and vineyard-lined foothills—offer a remarkably varied journey in a compact area, best appreciated at the gentle, unhurried pace of a bicycle.