Ostrach walks

Thanks to its high altitude, this circular walk promises stunning views of nature and the countryside. From a distance, you can see the wind turbines atop the hill, which stretches southwards from Pfullendorf to the west of the Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried. Almost a hundred metres above the Ried lie several small villages set in a varied landscape. The high altitude offers walkers magnificent views into the distance; in good weather, you can see as far as the Upper Swabian national mountain, the Bussen.

A historic hiking trail surrounded by rich flora Rising a good hundred metres above the surrounding landscape on the edge of the Pfrunger Ried, the isolated Ringgenburg-Höhe proves to be a wonderful area for walking. Vertical Nagelfluh cliffs and caves still bear witness to the erosive power of the meltwater that carved out the Ostrach and Rotach valleys on either side. The porous Nagelfluh layers support a rich variety of flora. Despite the woodland, the 725-metre-high mountain spur offers magnificent views down into the Ried. The fact that the Rinkenburg or Ringgenburg, a prehistoric refuge fortress whose moats are still visible, once stood here adds to its appeal for many.

An exciting circular walk for the whole family The circular walk along the Wilhelmsdorf Ried Nature Trail begins right next to the Wilhelmsdorf Nature Conservation Centre, home to the interactive exhibition ‘Experience the Moor’. Here, over a relatively short distance and along soft, well-maintained paths, you can walk through the various moorland habitats and make many exciting discoveries. A visit to the Ried Nature Trail is particularly worthwhile for families with children.

Circular walk along sections of the Way of St James and through peaceful woodland. This walk to Bethlehem leads directly from Pfullendorf into a beautiful woodland area with good farm tracks and moderate gradients. Along the way, we frequently follow sections of the Way of St James, which leads from Wald via Pfullendorf on to Überlingen.

This varied hike leads from Friedrichshafen through the idyllic Eriskircher Ried – one of the most important nature reserves on Lake Constance. Two viewing platforms with magnificent views over the unique reed landscape await you. Impressive views of Lake Constance open up again and again before the tour ends in a relaxed manner at the lido in Eriskirch. Ideal for nature lovers, families and anyone looking for a peaceful hike in beautiful surroundings.

This cycle route takes you round the main part of Lake Constance. I recommend doing it on a gravel bike, as the route alternates between roads, cycle paths and dirt tracks. For the fittest cyclists, the tour can be completed in a single day. Otherwise, it’s perfectly possible to do it over several days. The lakeside areas are popular with tourists, so you’ll easily find accommodation and places to eat all along the route. To follow the official cycle route around Lake Constance, look out for the signpost showing a cyclist with a blue rear wheel.

Easy walk with beautiful viewpoints You can explore this beautiful and varied landscape along narrow lanes and footpaths. The circular route leads from the lake, through fertile orchards and vineyards, to stunning vantage points and historic sights against the magnificent backdrop of the Alpine panorama.

A varied circular walk with lovely views across the surrounding countryside to Lake Deger and Lake Schlein. A very varied circular route awaits you through the ‘hinterland’ of Nonnenhorn to the beautiful Degersee and Schleinsee lakes, offering stunning panoramic views. You’ll pass through the villages of Selmnau, Poppis, Riedensweiler, Wettis, Busenhaus, Nitzenweiler, Gattnau and Retterschen. Parts of the route follow small roads, and often take you along field tracks, woodland paths and meadow paths.

Nineteenth stage: From Les Rousses to Lake Constance via the Jura mountain range. For this final stage, you will take the ViaJacobi, the ancient pilgrimage route that leads German pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela via Geneva. Following in their footsteps, you will reach the city of Constance (Konstanz), nestled in southern Germany. Constance charms visitors with its medieval charm, particularly in the picturesque Niederburg district, where narrow streets and half-timbered houses tell centuries of history. Its majestic Romanesque cathedral, the Münster Unserer Lieben Frau, has watched over the city since the Middle Ages. Finally, Lake Constance (Bodensee), a true natural gem, stretches out at the foot of the Alps and unites three nations — Germany, Switzerland and Austria — in a landscape of serene beauty.

The ancestral seat of the Prussian royal family and the Princes of Hohenzollern, Hohenzollern Castle is one of the most visited castles in Europe. Perched on a high hill in Swabia, the building, adorned with numerous towers, has a picturesque, medieval appearance when viewed from a distance. The view from Hohenzollern Castle is well worth the detour, though you’ll need to be prepared for a brisk 20-minute walk to finally reach the castle.