The beautiful Lake Constance, where Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet, attracts numerous hikers and cyclists every year. Its shores can be quite crowded, especially in the summer. If you’d like to explore the quiet corners of Lake Constance, far from any hustle and bustle, then the Jubiläumsweg Bodenseekreis in Baden-Württemberg is the perfect Tour for you.

The 115-kilometre (71 mi) Jubiläumsweg Bodenseekreis (Lake Constance Anniversary Trail) was created in 1998 to celebrate the district’s 25th anniversary. In six daily stages, it takes you through the region’s gently undulating hinterland, characterised by fruit trees, forests, ponds, river valleys and small villages. You’ll enjoy plentiful views over Lake Constance from the trail too. This adventure isn’t particularly challenging, but it requires enough stamina for the 18 to 22-kilometre (11 to 13 mi) stages.

The trail visits lesser-known places away from the lakeshore. You’ll discover varied landscapes and viewpoints that overlook the lake and the Alps. Small chapels and magnificent pilgrimage churches dot the route, as well as refreshment stops where you can recharge your batteries.

On the first stage, you start at the train station in Kressbronn am Bodensee and hike past numerous apple trees, hidden lakes and along the Argen River to Neukirch. From there, you continue to Meckenbeures, passing ponds, moors and the Brünnensweiler Höhe. The third stage leads over the Haldenberg, the Rotachtal and the Hepbach-Leimbacher Ried to Markdorf. The fourth stage brings some climbing and unforgettable views, from the Gehrenberg Tower for example. Your stage destination is Heiligenberg, with its imposing castle. On the fifth stage, you hike through the Aachtobel nature reserve, visit the pilgrimage site of Maria im Stein, climb the tower at Hohenbodman and finally reach Owingen. On the sixth day, you hike over the Sipplinger Berg down to Überlinger See, as the north-western finger of Lake Constance is known. You also cross two wooded ravines before reaching your destination in Überlingen. From there, you can travel home by train or bus.

In August 2023, information boards were set up along the Jubiläumsweg Bodenseekreis. They give you an overview of the route at the start and endpoints of each of the six stages and offer intriguing details about notable highlights along the way.. You can hike the stages of the anniversary trail in one go or split them up. Meckenbeuren and Markdorf both have train stations. All stage towns offer overnight accommodation and are reachable by public bus.

Experience Lake Constance from a new perspective on the varied Lake Constance District Jubilee Trail.