Bicycling the Black Forest to Lake Constance

Bicycling the Black Forest to Lake Constance

Join us to cycle across the French-German border as you experience stunning and diverse landscapes. Discover how French and German influences have coalesced to create the rich history and exceptional cuisine of this special region.

If this sounds great but you prefer a longer tour, take a look at the 14-day option Grand Bicycling Tour of Alsace and the Black Forest.

Tour Dates & Prices

Date
Price
Private Room Fee
Note
Jul 1-8, 2023
USD$4495
USD$550
 Departure confirmed to go!
Sep 19-26, 2023
USD$4495
USD$550
Departure confirmed!
Jun 29-Jul 6, 2024
USD$4695
USD$550
Book now and save $200 per person
Aug 3-10, 2024
USD$4695
USD$550
Book now and save $200 per person
Sep 14-21, 2024
USD$4695
USD$550
Book now and save $200 per person

* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.

** For information about what your tour status means please see our FAQ page.

Tour Style: Classic Hold A Space Request Private Departure Download Itinerary Tour Map
  • Trip At-A-Glance
  • Tour Summary
  • Daily Itinerary
  • Travel Information
  • Map
  • Reviews
  • Similar Tours
Trip At-A-Glance

Trip At-A-Glance

  • Length / 8 Days
  • Total Distance / 363 km (225 miles)
  • Avg. Distance / 61 km (37 miles) per riding day
  • Tour Level & Tour Style / 3.0 Classic
  • Countries / France, Switzerland, Germany
  • Begin/End / Colmar/Constance
  • Price / From USD$4495
Tour Summary

Tour Summary

  • Highlights
    Freiburg, brewery visit, border crossings, fairy-tale scenery, medieval towns, Constance
  • Includes
    7 nights accommodation, meals as noted in itinerary, brewery visit, guided bike tour of Freiburg

    Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic Tour Style page.
  • Arrive / Depart
    Zurich (ZRH)
  • Overall Tour Level
    3.0 difficulty level 3.0
  • Daily Ride Summary

    Day

    Distance/Gain
    mi/ftkm/m

    Terrain

    Day Level

    Notes

    1
    Test ride
    2
    61km / 502m
    Rolling hills
    difficulty level 2.5
    3
    46km / 957m
    Mountainous
    difficulty level 4.0
    4
    72km / 1313m
    Very hilly
    difficulty level 4.5
    Shorter optional ride available
    5
    72km / 471m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 2.0
    6
    51km / 325m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.5
    7
    61km / 512m
    Rolling hills
    difficulty level 2.0
    Shorter optional ride available
    8
    Last day

Terrain Legend

Gentle Gentle

Rolling hills Rolling hills

Hilly Hilly

Very hilly Very hilly

Mountainous Mountainous

Daily Itinerary
Download Itinerary

DAY 1: Meet in Colmar

Highlights: Welcome dinner, test ride

Welcome to Colmar! Take some time to explore the canals, museums, and great shopping this stunning city has to offer. Colmar has been a famous market and wine center since the 13th century. We'll meet this afternoon for a bike fitting and enjoy a delicious Alsatian dinner together this evening.

DAY 2: Ride to Freiburg

Highlights: Freiburg

Freiburg is arguably one of Germany's most beautiful cities with its impressive cathedral and colorful houses lining its streets. You will also find the old "Bächle," an unusual system of gutters that run throughout its center. These Bächle were once used to provide water to fight fires and feed livestock. They have a constant flow of water diverted from the Dreisam River. During the summer, the running water provides a natural form of air conditioning and offers a pleasant sound of running water. It is said that if one accidentally falls or steps into a Bächle they will marry a Freiburger, or 'Bobbele.'

DAY 3: Freiburg

Highlights: Guided walking tour of Freiburg

Enjoy Freiburg, shopping museums, strolling around or for those who really want to pedal and climb we have the perfect ride for you to tackle on your own, alternatively you can take the funicular up to the Shauinsland and enjoy the views and go for a hike. Or join us in a walking tour of town!

  • Distance: 46km (29mi)
  • Gain: 957m (3139ft)
  • Terrain: Mountainous
  • Day Level: difficulty level 4.0
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 4: Bike the Black Forest to the highest brewery in Germany

Highlights: Titisee, Schluchsee, Rothaus Brauerei with guided visit

Today’s ride takes you through stunning natural areas with very few tourists. Climb through the dense pine trees of the Black Forest up to the village of Titisee and enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Titisee and Schluchsee lakes. Or, if you’re in the mood to relax, jump on the Höllentalbahn - a train that passes through the impressive “Hell’s Valley.” No matter how you choose to get there, we will finish our day enjoying a guided visit of Germany’s highest brewery located right next our hotel in Rothaus. From our hotel you also have the option to take a 2 km hike to an isolated lake if you’re in the mood for a swim.

  • Distance: 72km (45mi)
  • Gain: 1313m (4307ft)
  • Terrain: Very hilly
  • Day Level: difficulty level 4.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 5: Bike from the Black Forest to the Rheinfall

Highlights: Schlüchten gorge, Rheinfall, Schaffhause city of the orlies

This morning you’ll enjoy quiet roads descending through the stunning Schluenchten Gorge to the Rhein. This is actually referred to as the “Uping Rhein" since it’s still a small river and not the wide river most think of then they think of the Rhein. We will cycle right next to the breathtaking Rhein waterfall, supposedly the largest waterfall in Europe. If you’d like to stop by the Laufen Castle along the way you can overlook the falls for another stunning perspective. We will end our day in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. This beautiful town was untouched by WWII so you will be able to admire the town’s pristine history. As you stroll through the “City of Bay Windows” enjoy this charming medieval town ornately decorated with oriel windows and extravagantly painted facades.

  • Distance: 72km (45mi)
  • Gain: 471m (1545ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 2.0
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 6: Young Rhein

Highlights: Crossing Germany and Switzerland borders, Diessingen wooden bridge

Today you’ll weave across the German and Swiss border about seven times as you take in the fairy-tale scenery and medieval towns. When you arrive at the point where the Rhine River becomes Lake Constance you’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time as you cross the wooden bridge into Stein am Rhein. Famous for its Old Town and the well-preserved monastery of St. Georgen, this town’s scenic streets and colorful history are sure to delight.

  • Distance: 51km (32mi)
  • Gain: 325m (1066ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.5
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Lodging:

DAY 7: Constance Loop

Highlights: Insel Mainau – island of flowers, Island Raichenau

Bisected by the Rhine River, sidling up to the Swiss border and outlined by the Alps, Constance sits in one of the most idyllic settings you could dream of. Spared from WWII bombing, this town has the mark of Roman emperors, medieval traders and 15th century bishops - a delightful backdrop to the lively buzz brought on by today's university culture. Today you can enjoy a loop ride along quaint roads and rolling hills between Überlingen and Gnaden. If you prefer a day off the bike, enjoy the town’s lakefront views as you stroll its tree-lined promenade or take a boat trip to the island of Meinau, or Flower Island, named for its spectacular flower gardens. We will enjoy our final dinner together tonight in the Dominikaner Beer Garden.

  • Distance: 61km (38mi)
  • Gain: 512m (1679ft)
  • Terrain: Rolling hills
  • Day Level: difficulty level 2.0
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 8: Bon Voyage! - Constance

Highlights: Enjoy the city

Our tour ends after breakfast today. Enjoy the rest of your travels around Europe or have a safe trip home!

  • Meals: Breakfast
Travel Information

Travel Information

Day 1: Arrival Information

Meet in Colmar

Meeting time 4 p.m. - on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on the itinerary.

Note:

As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.

The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.

We recommend flying out of the Strasbourg Airport (SCB). Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is a 2.5-3.5 hour train ride away.

From the Strasbourg Airport to the starting hotel:

  • Taxi (1 hour/EUR 100)

Or public transportation:

  1. Train from Strasbourg Entzheim International Airport Train Station to Strasbourg Gare (9 min/EUR 2.50)
  2. Train from Strasbourg Gare to Colmar (no pre-purchase needed) (30 min/EUR 15)
  3. Taxi from Colmar train station to the starting hotel (10 min/EUR 15)

Look up French train schedules and book tickets, if necessary, SNCF.com or Trainline.eu. Questions? See our information on taking trains in Europe here or ask us.  

Day 8: Departure Information

Bon Voyage! - Constance

Your trip ends on the final day after breakfast. 

The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio

We recommend flying out of the Zurich Airport (ZRH).

From the ending hotel to the Zurich Airport:

  1. Taxi from the ending hotel to the Konstanz/Constance train station (5 min/EUR 5- 10) - or walk 8 minutes (click here for map).
  2. Train from Konstanz/Constance to ZRH Zurich Airport (1 hour to 1.5 hours/fares vary)

Look up German train schedules at Bahn.de or Trainline.eu. Questions? See our information on taking trains in Europe here or ask us.

Pre-Trip Planning Checklist

To do right after you booked!

6 to 3 Months Prior to Tour Start Date

  • Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
  • Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
  • Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
  • Begin your chosen training program.
  • Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.

6 to 2 Weeks Prior to Tour Start Date

  • Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Reading and Movie Lists: https://www.experienceplus.com/blog/travel-planning/
  • Plan what you are going to pack and start packing! Refer to the Packing Lists on our website at https://www.experienceplus.com/blog/travel-planning/packing/.
  • We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).

Day of Your Flight

Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!

What to Expect on Tour

Classic Tour Style

Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic page.

Map

Map

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