Basel at night - photo via Flickr:son_gismo Rathaus Tower in Basel. Photo via Wikimedia Commons:Kuty

Constance to Basel

Germany, Switzerland Bike Tour

Along the Rhine to the 3 country corner!

Bike along the Rhine weaving in and out of Germany and Switzerland. Begin on the beautiful Lake Constance ending in Basel, or you may extend your trip on to Freiburg. Once you get to the "3 country corner" in Basel, Germany, Switzerland, and France are just across the river.

Begin in Constance, where you may want to take a trip to Mainau island, famous for it's beautiful gardens and scenic views of the lake. Biking further along the Rhine you will visit charming, quaint towns with their picturesque half timbered houses. Another highlight of your biking will be the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen, the biggest waterfall in Europe. You may end the tour in the Swiss town of Basel, which has a reputation of being one of the most cultural cities in Europe. You can also extend your tour riding north along the German & French borders up to Freiburg, beautifully surrounded by the Black Forest Mountains.

Where You’ll Stay

Very nice, clean & comfortable 3 star hotels. All rooms with private facilities.

What’s Included

  • 5 or 7 nights accommodations
  • Breakfasts
  • Luggage Transportation
  • Detailed route descriptions and maps
  • 21-speed hybrid bicycle

What’s Not Included

  • Individual arrival to Constance (by train from Zurich airport, ± €16

Constance to Basel Map

Book This Trip

TourBike
TypeSelf Guided
SkillEasy
Length6–8 days
From€575
Print Tour

Tour Dates

  • Every Sunday from April 1 to September 9, 2012.

Skill Level

Easy self-guided hotel tour

Easy self-guided hotel tour. Tour takes place on good asphalted bike paths or quiet country roads. Cycling is mostly flat along the Rhine River with an occasional small incline to conquer.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Constance to Basel Map
  1. Arrival in Constance.
  2. Constance - Schaffhausen, ± 31 mi. (50 km)
  3. Schaffhausen - Waldshut-Tiengen, ± 31 mi. (50 km)
  4. Waldshut-Tiengen - Bad Säckingen, ± 17 mi. (27 km)
  5. Bad Säckingen - Basel/Weil, ± 25 mi. (40 km)
  6. Individual departure.

Extension (8 days/7 nights):

  1. Arrival in Constance.
  2. Constance - Schaffhausen, ± 35 mi. (55 km)
  3. Schaffhausen - Waldshut-Tiengen, ± 38 mi. (60 km)
  4. Waldshut-Tiengen - Bad Säckingen, ± 19 mi. (30 km)
  5. Bad Säckingen - Basel/Weil, ± 25 mi. (40 km)
  6. Basel/Weil - Müllheim/Auggen, ± 31 mi (50 km)
  7. Müllheim/Auggen - Freiburg, ± 31 mi (50 km)
  8. Individual departure.

The below detailed description is for the 6 day tour:

DAY 1: Arrival in Constance.
Individual arrival in Constance. Take your time to visit the Mainau island, maintained as a beautiful garden island. Besides flowers you have incredible views of the Lake, and a greenhouse with tropical climates and thousands of butterflies. In the evening stroll through the medieval old part of town.

DAY 2: Constance - Schaffhausen
You won't want to leave Constance behind but the cycling part of your tour starts today. You will follow the Rhine along magnificent landscape. Along the Swiss shore you reach Stein am Rhine, passing villages with truly picturesque half-timbered houses. Via Diessenhofen, with it's historical wooden bridge, you reach today's destination. In Schaffhausen you can visit the Munot fortress, named after the famous Germany painter and theorist from the 16th century.

DAY 3: Schaffhausen - Waldshut-Tiengen
Today you will have to tackle some small gradients. First you should visit the Rhinefall, the largest waterfall of Europe, before you reach the Rhine loop at Rheinau with the monastery island. Afterward the Rhine leads you to Eglisau, a small town with pictorial house lines on the Rhine shore. You next overnight is in Waldshut-Tiengau. Just before, in Zurzach, tired cyclists can regenerate in the thermal bath.

DAY 4: Waldshut-Tiengen - Bad Säckingen
With your "right hand man", the Rhine, you bike on to Laufenburg. The historical center on both sides of the Rhine is connected by a bridge, and was separated in 1801 in 2 villages Laufenburg (Baden) and Laufenburg (Baden). After a visit, bike on to reach the famous trumpet city Bad Säckingen.

DAY 5: Bad Säckingen - Basel/Weil
While passing historical castles you find your way to Basel. For the rest of day you have plenty of time for the sights of this history & culture filled, exceptional city. You can choose for your overnight stay either in the city center of Basel or in an apartment hotel in Weil, a little further on the Rhine. Either way, the train station is easily accessible for a short ride to either city.

DAY 6: Individual departure.

Book This Trip

Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us

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