Information for Trip in 2018
Lake Constance/Konstanz/BodenseeLake Constance (German: Bodensee) is a lake on the Rhine at the northern foot of the Alps, and consists of three bodies of water: the Obersee or Upper Lake Constance, the Untersee or Lower Lake Constance, and a connecting stretch of the Rhine, called the Seerhein. The lake is situated in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Its shorelines lie in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, and the Swiss cantons of Thurgau, St. Gallen, and Schaffhausen. The Rhine flows into the lake from the south, with its original course forming the Austro-Swiss border, and has its outflow on the "Lower Lake" where — except for Schaffhausen — it forms the German-Swiss border until the city of Basel.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Constance Max. length 63 km (39 mi)
Max. width 14 km (8.7 mi) Surface area 536 km2 (207 sq mi) Average depth 90 m (300 ft) Max. depth 251 m (823 ft)[1] Water volume 48 km3 (12 cu mi)[1] Residence time 4.3 years Shore length 1273 km (170 mi)[1] Surface elevation 395 m (1,296 ft) DivingDiving in Lake Constance is considered attractive and challenging. Most of the diving areas are located in the northern part of the lake (Überlingen, Ludwigshafen, Marienschlucht and others), a few also in the south[60]. The areas should be dived exclusively by experienced divers under the guidance of one of the local diving schools or a seasoned diver. Diving at some spots like the impressive devils table ("Teufelstisch") called rock needle in the lake in front of the Marienschlucht, is only allowed after approval by the district office Konstanz.
The most famous freshwater wreck in Europe is certainly the paddle steamer Jura, which lies in front of Bottighofen at a depth of 39 meters. The Canton of Thurgau, the office for archeology in Frauenfeld, has placed the Jura under protection as an underwater industrial monument.[61] For all divers, it should be noted that the water in Lake Constance - even in summer - is already below 10 ° C from a depth of ten meters, which requires suitable cold-water regulators that do not freeze at such temperatures. SwimmingSwimming in the lake is usually possible from mid-June to mid-September. Depending on the weather, the water temperatures reach 19 ° C to 25 ° C. Within one day, differences of up to 3 ° C are possible with appropriate sunlight, so that the lake invites to swim, especially on warm summer evenings.
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Tourism, Leisure &SportThe tourism and leisure industry is an important factor for this region. Overnight stays reached 17,56m visitors in 2012 with an turnover of about 1.9bn Euros. The same amount comes from the 70 million daily visitors that visit Lake Constance each year. This region is known for sightseeing, water-sports, winter-sports like Skiing, summer-sports like Swimming (sport), Sailing and recreation. It is also one of the few places where modern Zeppelin airships operate and 12-14 people can take a trip above the lake around various points of interests.
Sights & Cultural HeritageThe lake and the region around it have a substantial touristic infrastructure as well as many attractions and points of interests. Important are especially cities like Konstanz, Überlingen, Meersburg, Friedrichshafen, Lindau and Bregenz as they are the big hubs for boating tourism. The main tourism attractions are places like Rhine Falls, one of the three biggest waterfalls in Europe, the Mainau Island and Reichenau Island (UNESCO world heritage), the pilgrimage church Birnau, castles and palaces like Salem Abbey, Meersburg Castle as well as another UNESCO world heritage site, the Pfahlbaumuseum Unteruhldingen (German for 'Stilt house museum).
In the east of the lake, the Alps are reaching almost to it thus allowing a great view over the lake. The Pfänderbahn goes from top of the mountain right down, next to the lake in Bregenz. BikingBiking around the lake is also possible on the 261 km long trail called "Bodensee-Radweg". It brings its visitors to the most interesting sites and goes around the whole lake. Nevertheless, various shortcuts via ferries allow shorter routes and the trail is suitable for all levels.
Note: There is also a trail that goes by the name "Bodensee-Rundweg". This road was intended for pedestrians so biking is sometimes not suitable or allowed. Hiking and pilgrim trailsThe 260 kilometers long Lake Constance circular route, signposted as "Bodensee Rundwanderweg", leads around Lake Constance through the territories of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is mainly intended for hiking, cyclists follow the sometimes slightly different managed Lake Constance cycle path[55]. The trail is very good walkable in smaller stages of different lengths and offers nice views of the lake, landscape and wildlife.
Nevertheless, not the whole coast zones are accessible due to industrial settlements, buildings and nature reserves. Also in the estuary of the rivers, such the Leiblach, Bregenzer Ach, canalized Rhine and Old Rhine (Fußacher breakthrough) considerable distances have to be covered inland to the next bridge or river crossing point. Due to busy riverside roads, the Bodensee-Rundweg sometimes runs as a trail above the lake with some lookout possibilities. Lake Constance is also a hub for long-distance hikers and pilgrims. It has been a crucial reference point of important pilgrimage routes since ancient times:
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