Bicycle tours by water in Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein

En route in Ländle, between the Rhine plain and mountain crags, past the prince’s castle in Lichtenstein’s Vaduz. Over Eschnerberg, and via the cross-border cycle route to the medieval ambiance of Feldkirch. Back through riverside woodland to the Rhine.

The pleasant ride along the varied Mittelland Route is mostly on traffic-free paths, along lakes and rivers, through wide plains and peaceful valleys, towns and villages, industry and agricultural land.

The Bodensee: the soul of Europe. The area around the shimmering silver-green «Swabian sea» is an ancient cultural landscape. Despite its lively lakeside scene, Thurgau remains a serene slice of countryside with castles and extensive orchards.

Mostly with a view of the gleaming lake, the route follows the railway tracks to the two dissimilar sisters Kreuzlingen and Konstanz, and on to the richly adorned touristic town of Stein am Rhein at the lovely Untersee, by which even Napoleon was fascinated.

The Hochrhein has made its bed between Schwarzwald and the Jura, at times wide and unhurried, at others narrow and wild. Attractive floodplains and historic little villages add cultural enjoyment to this stage.

Figs and kiwis ripen in the Walensee climate chamber where the sheer high cliffs of the Churfirsten threaten to topple into the 150-metre-deep waters. An easy pedal to Sargan, guarded by castle and Gonzen, old supplier of iron ore.

This moderately challenging loop takes you to the Wildhaus ski resort along a minor, little-known road and skirts magnificent Lake Walen.

The lovely landscape along the long ribbon of the Untersee appealed to Napoleon, the richly-decorated town of Stein am Rhein attracts thousands of visitors every year, as does Europe’s mightiest waterfall, the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen.

This section leads through Germany most of the way. See «International routes» for further information.

The route circles the Bodensee, Central Europe’s third largest lake, an area inhabited since primeval times, through three countries, now by the shore, now through orchards, sunny meadows, old town centres, nature reserves and flower islands.