ViaRhenana, Stage 1/10

Hike along the idyllic Seerhein shore and through shady northern slopes above the lake with views of Untersee and Insel Reichenau. Historic places of interest along the way: Gottlieben, Ermatingen, Steckborn and Arenenberg Castle with its Napoleon Museum.

The hike begins in Kreuzlingen, just a few steps from the public transport stop. After just over three kilometres, the trail reaches Lake Constance and follows the shore to Gottlieben. The castle on the edge of the village stands directly on the Seerhein. Beyond it, the settlements give way to open meadows and fields. The Dorfbach stream accompanies the route for long stretches. The highest point, at around 480 metres, is near Brugghau; overall, the gradients remain gentle.

From Ermatingen, the yellow-waymarked hiking trail climbs to Arenenberg Castle. The estate opposite the island of Reichenau was home to Hortense de Beauharnais and the future Emperor Napoleon III. Much of the original furniture has been preserved in the museum now housed there. Views extend across the Untersee before the trail continues once more between villages and open countryside. It finally leads via Berlingen to Steckborn. After 19 kilometres and just under five hours, the hike ends directly at the railway station.