Lindau: Island History, Culture and Routes
Accommodation in Lindau District (Lake Constance)
When looking for accommodation in Lindau, it helps to consider which travel interests will shape your days. Lindau’s own local history, cycling and hiking trails, cultural destinations in other towns, and seasonal cross-country skiing in Gestratz offer different points of interest. Gestratz has a total of 8 kilometres of groomed trails for Nordic skiing; conditions may vary from one winter to the next.
Lindau: Lighthouse and Town Fortifications
The New Lighthouse in Lindau is 33 metres high and reached via 139 steps. The Diebsturm tower on the island was built in 1380 and for a long time marked the western end of the town fortifications. The two structures tell different chapters of the town’s story: at the lighthouse, its height and steps give a tangible sense of the climb; the Diebsturm’s former role in the fortifications takes centre stage. This distinguishes an architectural landmark from a historical context without reducing both sights to the same theme.
Distinguishing Routes by Their Content and Course
The panoramic cycling loop around Lake Constance near Lindau leads to viewpoints overlooking especially beautiful spots by the lake and in higher-lying areas. Those interested in a route with a cultural and historical theme can visit the Sculpture Trail in Maierhöfen: the circular route is about 5 kilometres long and links 17 sculptures with 12 text panels. The works and texts were created at a symposium and permanently loaned to Maierhöfen for display. Its approximate length and circular format offer a different way to navigate than the themed stops themselves.
The Plenterwaldweg trail in Scheidegg focuses on knowledge about the Plenterwald, a selection forest. It runs from the Kurhaus Scheidegg to just before the entrance to the Waldwelt Skywalk Allgäu; nine stations provide information along the way. In the Eistobel gorge, by contrast, water and the course of the valley shape the experience: the water of the Obere Argen plunges downhill over several waterfalls along a 3-kilometre hiking trail. A visitor pavilion provides information before visitors descend into the gorge. These details help you distinguish a sculpture trail, an educational forest path and a hike alongside waterfalls by their respective content.
The Rohrach Gorge is in Lindau District. As the district’s largest nature reserve, it provides a habitat for rare animals and plants among its wet and litter meadows, springs, rocky areas and open land. The Lindau District cycling map, at a scale of 1:50,000, shows the entire cycling network, including circular and long-distance routes; it covers the area from Westallgäu to Lake Constance.
Culture and Regional Highlights
In Nonnenhorn, the Gothic St. James’s Chapel, dating from the 13th century, stands in the town centre on the old pilgrimage route. Nonnenhorn is also home to a wine press dating from 1591. In Wasserburg, the museum in the Malhaus was built in 1596 and hosts changing exhibitions. These places offer different ways to explore architectural and local history.
Opfenbach offers a first-hand look at craftsmanship and production: at a demonstration distillery, visitors can experience each step, from processing the fruit to producing schnapps ready for sale. The local heritage house in Gestratz is a 250-year-old forge that has been converted into a living history museum. It includes a working forge and an exhibition room. As a regional route in Lindau District, the Allgäu Cheese Route connects various dairies, direct marketers and farm shops.
Planning Your Journey and Accommodation Search
Nonnenhorn offers two different points of reference for planning your travel: a centrally located railway station and a boat landing. Boats connect the landing with Lindau, Bregenz, Meersburg, Konstanz and Mainau Island. Boat timetables are seasonal and subject to change, so check them before travelling. Train connections and timetables can also change. Take these specific details into account when planning rather than assuming a particular connection or journey time.
Cycling, hiking and cultural destinations differ in both route and theme. This overview can help you plan your stay around your own interests while taking seasonal conditions and current timetables into account.
Discover more destinations: Maierhöfen, Stiefenhofen, Lindau, Scheidegg, Weißensberg, Lindenberg im Allgäu, Bodolz, Weiler-Simmerberg, Argental, Sigmarszell.
Go to the main travel overview: Bavaria.
