This lovely bike ride near the Swiss/Germany border meanders through country meadows along a lake, leading to a quiet island. There are many restaurants, picnic spots, and swimming areas along the way, so you can make a full day of your leisurely ride.
It’s a relatively safe route, mostly dedicated bike paths and low traffic country lanes, with a few short sections on bike lanes. We did this as an E-Bike tour but the route is so flat and easy, you could do this with regular bikes as well.
Here’s all the info you need to plan your bike day with family and friends.
| Region: | Baden-Württemberg Germany, near Swiss border |
| Starting point: | Radolfzell, Germany |
| By car: | Parking in Radolfzell: Bismarckstraße 5, 78315 Radolfzell am Bodensee, Germany From Zürich 1hr15 |
| By public transport: | Train station: Radolfzell From Zürich 1hr40 |
| Route: | 46 km there and back |
| Time: | about 2.5 hours with E-Bike |
| Difficulty: | easy |
| Condition: | mostly paved bike path and country lanes, some dirt |
| Elevation: | 130m up/down |
| Open: | open year round, best April to October |
| Cost: | E-Bike rental about EUR 29 |
| Extras: | many restaurants and picnic areas along trail |
| More info: | Radolfzell website • webcam • forecast |
Gallery
Location
This bike route is located northeast of Zurich, near Konstanz on the Swiss/Germany border.
Bike route map
We selected our route from the Radolfzell Tourism website, which has many other options for that area. We cycled from Radolfzell to Reichenau Island along the lake. We circled the island then returned the way we came.
Shorter routes
If you want to only ride one way, you could ride the train back from Reichenau (Baden) to Radolfzell. Check the schedule on Bahn.com. It’s best to take the slower regional train (Region and S-Bahn) because you do not need a ticket or reservation for the bike (see rules for German Baden-Württemberg region). You need to place the bike on a train car that has a bike symbol.
You could also take a ferry from Reichenau Island back to Radolfzell. For the ferry, you would need a ticket for you and the bike. Learn more.
Bike rental
We rented bikes from Zweirad Joos in Radoflzell, the start of the bike route – Schützenstraße 11, 78315 Radolfzell am Bodensee, Germany. The address is for the large bike shop. To reach the bike rentals, walk through the bike shop to the courtyard behind the shop. The bike rentals are in a separate building.
It’s easy to reach with a short walk from the Radolfzell train station. There is also a parking garage below the bike shop.
They have a variety of regular and E-Bikes for rent, including kids’ bikes. tandems, cargo bikes, and bike trailers. We rented E-Komfort bikes, which cost EUR 29/day. They also charge EUR 3/bike for theft insurance.
Best to book online ahead of time to make sure they have the bikes you need. The staff spoke English and were very helpful.
How to get there
By car: Drive to Radolfzell. If you are renting bikes, we suggest parking in the garage below the bike shop – Bismarckstraße 5, 78315 Radolfzell am Bodensee, Germany . If you brought bikes on a trailer, better to park in the open air lot near the train station – Friedrich-Werber-Straße 3, 78315 Radolfzell am Bodensee, Germany.
By train: Take a train to Radolfzell, then a short walk through the old town to the bike rental shop. If you are bringing your bike by train, learn about bike tickets and reservations for Swiss/Germany train connections.
Photo story
The bike path is well marked with signs like these. In general, follow signs towards Konstanz until you branch off to the island.
The path also often has bike symbols and arrows on the ground, pointing the way.
The path in the city on bike lanes.
After a few minutes, you reach a dedicated walking/cycling path through some meadows.
The lake is close to the right, but you don’t always see it.
Another section through a small village. This was the only part where you have to worry about car traffic.
Lots of flowers in May.
Very nice paved path most of the way to the island.
Sometimes close to the road, but we didn’t mind much.
Around the Reichenau Island
Don’t miss the turn off the main path toward Reichenau Island. You cycle on a narrow land strip that leads to the island.
This saint welcomes you to the island.
Very pastoral around here.
Many picnic areas along the way.
Much of the island ride is through quiet neighborhoods like this.
We stopped for lunch at Restaurant Seeräuber Reichenau. I loved that you ordered at the counter instead of waiting for a server to come to your table, which always seems to take forever. It was fast service and good food.
The menu for our restaurant.
I had the Zanderfilet, yum!
Cozy seating along the lake.
Back on the bikes on very green paths.
Passed a couple more lakeside restaurants.
Interesting buildings along the way too.
Another picnic area along the water.
The loop around the island ends passing through farm fields and lots of greenhouses.
Lots of sun in this area making it a nice place for vineyards. We had some of the local wine at lunch, tasty!
Back to Radolfzell
After the island, you return the way you came. I thought it might be a little boring, but I enjoyed it the second time too.
Back in Radolfzell, we finished through the old town.
After the ride, we stopped at eiscafé tiramisu for yummy ice cream sundaes.
