From the Black Forest to Lake Constance by Bike
- Family tour -
- From 1139 € / adult
- 8 days / 7 nights
- From May to mid-October
- Departures : every day
- Level : easy
- Electric bicycle available
- Luggage transfer included
Highlights
- the discovery of two extraordinary regions: the Black Forest & Lake Constance
- landscapes of prodigious variety
- picturesque historical cities and villages
- the Rhine Falls, most impressive falls of Europe
- an itinerary almost entirely on bike paths or quiet roads
- a route taking you through the main sights of Lake Constance
Highlights:
- the discovery of two extraordinary regions: the Black Forest & Lake Constance
- landscapes of prodigious variety
- picturesque historical cities and villages
- the Rhine Falls, most impressive falls of Europe
- an itinerary almost entirely on bike paths or quiet roads
- a route taking you through the main sights of Lake Constance
From 1139 € / adult
- 8 days / 7 nights
- From May to mid-October
- Departures : every day
- Level : easy
- Electric bicycle available
- Luggage transfer included
YOUR ITINERARY
The Black Forest, by name alone, evokes a land of legends, untamed and authentic, haunted by various mischievous creatures… With its impenetrable forests, green meadows, pristine lakes, charming flowered villages, and typical timber-framed farms with oversized roofs, it lives up to the imagination it sparks.
After perhaps visiting Freiburg along the way, you head to the heights of the Black Forest massif at Titisee, a small lakeside resort town and starting point for your cycling odyssey. The route ahead is largely downhill, perfect for easy pedalling and fully enjoying the scenery with your family! The first day, however, offers a few climbs, always rewarded by stunning alpine lakes, graceful pastures, and majestic panoramas stretching across a wide part of the Alps. And if the initial hills feel daunting, you can always take the train to save much of the effort.
Then suddenly, the Rhine Valley appears in the distance, forming a broad cleft in the landscape. You simply let yourself glide down into the valley! Once at the bottom, follow the cycling path gradually upstream along the Rhine Valley to Lake Constance. The valley is full of delightful, romantic towns such as Waldshut, Schaffhausen, and Stein am Rhein, taking you alternately along the Swiss or German riverbanks, among orchards and vineyards. One major obstacle awaits: the spectacular Rhine Falls, a natural wonder that thrills both young and old!
Next, you reach the famous Lake Constance. With its almost Mediterranean atmosphere, it contrasts sharply with the Black Forest. Here you are in the epicurean heart of the German-speaking lands, shared by three bordering countries. The second largest lake in Western Europe after Lake Geneva, it enjoys a mild, sunny microclimate, quickly revealing the southern lifestyle through its flamboyant architecture, exuberant rococo churches, lush vegetation, golden vineyards, countless white sails, and numerous invitations to swim along the way—all with the Alps as a backdrop. Lovers of dolce vita may well want to settle here forever!
The result is an exceptionally varied cycling itinerary, suitable for all levels thanks to gentle elevation and well-maintained bike paths, taking you through two of Germany’s most beautiful regions! It also offers a scenic introduction to the Alps, visible on the second day in clear skies, before you reach the foot of the mountains at Lake Constance, nicknamed the Alpine Riviera.
Gute Reise!
DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMME
Day 1: Arrival in Titisee
On your way to Titisee, whether by train or car, we recommend stopping in Freiburg if time allows; the city is lovely for a few hours’ visit.
💡 The Black Forest capital has a distinct personality: deeply rooted in the past with its medieval centre (beautifully rebuilt after near-total destruction in the Allied bombings of 1944) and magnificent Gothic cathedral, Freiburg is also a forward-looking ecological city. In the car-loving country, Freiburg was a pioneer in soft mobility, setting a trend.
Stroll the old town to discover the famous Bächle, small water channels supplying the city since the Middle Ages!
At the end of the day, reach Titisee (from Freiburg: 37 min by train, 35-40 min by car), at 845 m altitude, for your overnight stay. You are now at the heart of the Black Forest!
Day 2: Titisee - Sankt Blasien
37 km | 
+540 m | ⏱︎ 2h35
Your first cycling day takes you through the heart of the Black Forest massif! Largely covered by forests, it also features pretty meadows and crystal-clear lakes that enhance the mystical feel of this remote region. Two of the most beautiful lakes mark your route: Lake Titisee and Lake Schluchsee. Nestled among dense coniferous forests, their surroundings are idyllic. A scenic cycling path follows the lakeshore, offering many opportunities for a swim. Exiting the lakes involves some climbs, but beautiful views reward the effort.
Finally, you reach the spa town of Sankt Blasien, famous for its enormous basilica, seemingly disproportionate for such a small town. This concludes a magnificent first day, mostly on excellent country paths.
🚲 Relax variant (23 km | D+ : 290 m | ⏱︎ : 1h33)
If you wish to shorten the stage by 14 km, you can take the train between Titisee and Altglashütten (11 minutes). This also avoids the hill between Lake Titisee and Lake Schluchsee.
Day 3: Sankt Blasien - Waldshut
30 km | +230 m | ⏱︎ 1h52
The route winds through the idyllic Albtal (Alb Valley), passing timeless hamlets. Suddenly the landscape opens up: the Rhine Valley lies ahead! On a clear day, the view extends to the Alpine peaks. A nice descent takes you to the picturesque riverside town of Waldshut, whose central street is flanked by two imposing watchtowers.
Day 4: Waldshut - Rafz
36 km | +250 m | ⏱︎ 2h31
You weave along the river throughout the day, discovering many gems of the Rhine Valley. After a few kilometres, you cross into Switzerland, where you’ll see Roman fortress ruins, WWII bunkers, a pretty marshland, and impressive wooden saltworks. Past Bad Zurzach, you return to the northern bank, cycling through a bucolic landscape of fields, orchards, and vineyards.
Day 5: Rafz - Stein am Rhein
36 km | +280 m | ⏱︎ 2h19
Just a few kilometres after departure, you reach the highlight of the day: the spectacular Rhine Falls! With a flow of about 600 m³/sec and a width of 150 m, they are Europe’s largest falls. Walkways allow you to get up close—thrills guaranteed!
Then you arrive at Schaffhausen, with a beautifully preserved old town, ornate frescoed facades, and the 16th-century Munot fortress, seemingly straight from a fairy tale.
You continue along the Rhine, passing inviting swimming spots and charming villages like Diessenhofen on the Swiss side. You reach Stein am Rhein, with its painted facades, half-timbered houses, and large archway, looking like a storybook town.
Day 6: Stein am Rhein - Constance
34 km | +180 m | ⏱︎ 2h06
After Stein, the Rhine widens into a near sea: the legendary Lake Constance! You approach from the south, passing vineyards and fishing villages now more dependent on tourism than fishing.
You then take a pleasant boat trip to Reichenau Monastic Island, whose churches house wooden frameworks and magnificent Carolingian frescoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Finally, you reach the lively university town of Constance, once a major city and briefly the Christian capital, retaining a vast historic centre full of beautiful buildings—a feast for the eyes.
Day 7: Loop around the lake from Constance
31 km | +190 m | ⏱︎ 2h21
A memorable last day by the lake. A few kilometres from Constance, you board a ferry to the northern shore, docking at Meersburg, a charming lakeside town with a historic centre and two castles overlooking the lake—a postcard view.
At Unteruhldingen, visit the open-air museum reconstructing a prehistoric stilt village. Then see the beautiful Birnau Church perched above the lake, revealing its lavish rococo interior once inside.
Continue to Überlingen, a quaint medieval lakeside town, before taking a ferry to the opposite shore. Near Constance, you reach Mainau Botanical Island, a floral gem with vibrant flowerbeds—a German Giverny!
Day 8: End of stay
End of your German odyssey after breakfast. Return transfer to Titisee at 10:00 for those who opted for it.
💡 To extend your cycling trip, ask us about a lake circuit extension, taking 2-3 extra days. Note that overnight stays around the lake can be expensive during peak season.
ACCOMMODATION
We favour authentic, small-scale accommodation offering comfort, friendliness and wellbeing. Most provide family rooms. We also ensure that they are well located: easily accessible by bicycle and, whenever possible, close to local amenities and places of interest.
AVAILABLE COMFORT LEVEL(S)
2/3 ★ Hotels
Simple yet welcoming accommodation, selected for the quality of their hospitality and their location.
Photo provided as an example to illustrate the type of accommodation within this comfort category.
Always included:
- Breakfast
- Private bathroom
- Secure bike storage
- Restaurant(s) within walking distance
- Convenient location
BIKE CHOICES
Whether you choose a rental bike or bring your own, it is essential to have a bike adapted both to the needs of the route and to your own needs.
RENTAL BIKES
We offer high-quality trekking bikes and/or electric bikes, equipped with all essential accessories. Equipment for children is also available.
Trekking / Touring Bikes
GUDEREIT 15 versatile bikes with 24 to 27 gears depending on the model, making them ideal for climbing hills with minimal effort.
Electric Bikes (E-Bikes)
German brand VÉLO DE VILLE bikes, equipped with a Performance Line PX motor and a 545 Wh battery. You can count on at least 80 km of range with a lot of comfort.
Child Trailers
The route is also suitable for child trailers, which we also offer for rent.
Children’s Bikes
For children who are not yet adult-sized, children’s bikes are available to rent. Different sizes are available.
Photos for information only. Bikes subject to availability.
Included accessories:
- Smartphone holder
- Waterproof rear pannier (1 per bike)
- Lock
- Repair kit
- Helmet(s) on request
IF YOU BRING YOUR OWN BIKE
Before departure, check your bike thoroughly: brakes, tires, cogs, derailleur, chain...
You may be far from help in case of a mechanical issue!
Which bikes are suitable?
- Trekking / Hybrid bikes (VTC)
- Mountain bikes (MTB)
- Gravel bikes
- E-bikes with good range
- Road bikes
- City bikes
💡 The route includes many well-maintained compact gravel sections: MTB tires are not necessary, but avoid tires that are too narrow or too smooth.
LEVEL
Our trips focus on discovery and relaxation before effort.
We try to adjust stage lengths according to the terrain, path type, and points of interest so that each day remains balanced, pleasant, and open to the unexpected.
The first day also has an easier option, which slightly reduces effort on day one. You can decide on the day whether to take this option. This variant does not skip any highlights.
STAGE LENGTH:
RELAX ℹ️
➡️ Average overall: 30 to 40 km/day - max 50 km/day.
➡️ About 2 to 3 hours of cycling per day - max 4
➡️ A pace suitable for travelers who like a relaxed rhythm, leaving plenty of time for breaks and discoveries along the way.
RELIEF:
MEDIUM ℹ️
➡️ Average elevation gain: +200 to +600 m/day.
➡️ Mostly gentle, accessible terrain, but some sections are more hilly with steeper climbs. Gentle inclines, often on greenways, can also be longer.
Even though the route starts at some height, a few hills are expected on the first day. If you prefer an easy start, you can take the train to cut the elevation of that stage by about half.
⚡ To fully enjoy the route, even on climbs, you can opt for an electric bike.
PATH TYPES:
The route alternates between compact gravel bike paths (always in good condition) and small country roads with little to no traffic.
More than 70% of the route is paved.
No technical difficulties to report.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
⏱️ DURATION
8 days and 7 nights, including arrival and departure days. 6 days of cycling.
📅 AVAILABLE DEPARTURE DATES
Daily from May to mid-October
🗺️ ROUTE TYPE
Linear.
📍 START AND END POINTS
Start of the trip: Titisee
End of the trip: Constance
🌦️ BEST TIME TO GO
The period is generally favorable from May to October.
Due to the relatively high altitude at the start of the route, snow may not have completely melted on certain sections in April. Therefore, we only offer departures from May onward.
In summer, the water temperature is also suitable for swimming, whether in the lakes of the Black Forest, the Rhine, or Lake Constance!
🍽️ MEALS
Breakfasts are included.
Lunches and dinners are at your own discretion.
During the day, you can eat at local restaurants (we provide suggestions in our roadbook) or have a picnic, buying supplies at local convenience stores.
For dinner, there are always several restaurants within walking distance from your accommodation… unless your hotel has its own!
🧳 LUGGAGE TRANSPORT
Your luggage is transported from one accommodation to another by one of our providers. You only carry your day bag during cycling stages. A pannier is provided with the rental bike.
If you prefer to carry your luggage in side panniers, a discount is available.
🚩 GETTING THERE
BY TRAIN
Titisee is accessible by regional train from Freiburg (Germany), approximately 37 minutes.
Freiburg itself is served by direct trains from Paris-Est (3h01 by TGV), Strasbourg (1h10), Mulhouse (47 min), and Basel (27 min).
💡 If you book a train to Freiburg, make sure to enter “Freiburg-im-Breisgau”, otherwise the booking platform may confuse it with Fribourg in Switzerland (which is also called Freiburg in German)!
More info on train schedules
BY CAR
You can leave your car at the P+R P3 parking at Titisee station (Address: Parkstrasse 11). A monthly pass is available for €20 (2025).
🔁 RETURN TO START POINT
Allow approximately 2 hours by train to return to Titisee from Constance, with a transfer at Donaueschingen.
For an additional fee, a private transfer is also available (especially convenient if you have your own bikes).
💡 If you travel with your own bikes, they can be carried on trains between Constance and Titisee without disassembly, but we recommend booking your bike tickets in advance, especially on weekends, as bike spaces are limited.
📑 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
To help you fully enjoy your adventure, we provide practical and easy-to-use materials:
A roadbook (A5 booklet) prepared by us, including:
- Practical information
- Route description
- All necessary tourist information
- Restaurant suggestions
- Places to buy supplies
- Swimming spots
- Cultural tips and anecdotes
- List of nearby bike repair shops along the route
A printed route map
Our navigation app (with your GPS tracks)
- Easy-to-use app (a short tutorial will be sent just in case)
- Satellite navigation (works in airplane mode)
- Custom tracks between accommodations
- Voice guidance
📞 AUTONOMY AND SUPPORT
You travel independently (unaccompanied), with 7-day-a-week phone assistance in case of issues.
🛡️ INSURANCE
To ensure reimbursement in case of trip cancellation or problems on site, you can contract cancellation insurance (CAP Explorer Cancellation) or assistance insurance (CAP Explorer Assistance). Learn more about insurance.
🎒 EQUIPMENT TO BRING
A helmet, lock, repair kit, phone holder, and waterproof rear pannier form the basic kit. If you rented a bike, these are included (helmet only on request).
For extra comfort, we also recommend bringing the following specific accessories:
Rain overpants
Light, waterproof, windproof, and easy to put on; protects against rain, splashes, and mud. Some models have gaiters covering the shoes.
External battery (power bank)
Useful to recharge your phone during lunch break: navigation consumes a lot of energy even in airplane mode. Recommended unless your battery is very powerful.
Cost: 10-20 €.
Padded cycling shorts or gel saddle cover
Padded shorts improve comfort by absorbing shocks and reducing friction on long rides. If unavailable, choose a padded saddle cover.
Water bottle
More practical and durable than disposable bottles. Some keep water cool for several hours with double-wall insulation.
Buff / neck gaiter / hat
Outside of summer, mornings can be chilly and you will not regret bringing them!
PRICES 2026
The price is calculated for a stay for two people in a double/twin room. All prices are per person and subject to availability of the desired room type.
| Formula | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|
| In double/twin room | 1139 € | 1219 € |
| Single room supplement | + 430 € | + 460 € |
|
Child discounts (* in the same room as 2 full-paying persons) |
0-3 yrs: - 80% | 4-11 yrs: - 40% | 12-17 yrs: - 30% | |
| Group discount | 6 - 11 pers. : - 5% | 12+ pers. : - 10% | |
| Extra nights (optional) | Low season | High season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constance | In double/twin room | 110 € | 120 € |
| In single room | 210 € | 225 € | |
💡 SAISONS
- Low season: 1/5 - 30/6 & 1/9 - 10/10
- High season: 1/7 - 31/08
| BIKE RENTAL (equipment included) | |
|---|---|
| Electric bike | 365 € |
| Trekking bike | 275 € |
| Child bike (-12 yrs) | 170 € |
| Child trailer | 170 € |
THE BASE PRICE INCLUDES
- Nights in hotels of the chosen comfort category
- Breakfast at each accommodation
- Luggage transport between accommodations
- A detailed roadbook (A5 booklet + PDF), prepared by us during our reconnaissance trip
- GPS tracks of the route via our navigation app
- A route map
- Luggage tags
- 7-day-a-week phone assistance
- Tourist taxes
- Booking fees
OPTIONS
- Bike(s) rental
- Single room supplement
- Private transfer between Constance and Titisee
- Extra night(s) in Constance
- Optional insurance: cancellation and/or assistance
THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Travel to Titisee and return from Constance
- Lunches and dinners
- Entrance fees to tourist sites and other personal expenses
- Anything not listed under “THE BASE PRICE INCLUDES”
SPECIAL CASES
- If you carry your own luggage, a discount is applied (see booking form). An additional pannier is provided if you rent a bike.
- Solo travelers: a logistical supplement applies in addition to the single room supplement.
REVIEWS
Sarah & Renaud, 57 & 62 years old
"We absolutely loved our route through southern Germany and Switzerland – and often enjoyed it almost alone, even in August. Bike rental, hotel bookings, and luggage transfers went perfectly. We highly recommend it!" August 2025
André, 71 years old
"This is the second time I have undertaken a cycling holiday circuit with Cyclodyssées. This time, I chose 'From the Black Forest to Lake Constance' in Germany and Switzerland. For this trip, a companion joined me. In addition, a few extra days of cycling around the whole lake of Constance were arranged by Joseph. Once again, it was an instructive and lively experience. The cycling paths for the different daily stages offered magnificent scenery and the opportunity to also visit memorable sites such as Mainau Island near Constance, with a very rich variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers. The hotels selected in the comfort category offered gastronomic and accommodation services in well-located city and village areas. This year, I still appreciate the flexible and helpful collaboration with Cyclodyssées!" August 2023
Bénédicte & Alexandre, 63 & 58 years old
"As a first experience, our circuit in the Black Forest was truly fantastic. We feared the heatwave, but our electric bikes (rented locally) carried us over hills and valleys with ease, providing a refreshing breeze as a bonus! The route away from traffic and tourists allowed us to discover dream spots. Plus, thanks to the well-documented roadbook and the 'kind lady' of the Komoot app, we never got lost 😁. The hearty breakfasts at the hotel gave us energy for the whole day. Long live cycling holidays!" August 2022
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