Rhine River Boat Ride between Konstanz and Steckborn

(This post published on March 1, 2023)

Tuesday May 31, 2016 -- This wasn't a particularly spectacular day, but we wanted to do an excursion. We figured that maybe a boat ride on a river might make a good change from a hike. In fact, some of these river boat rides are very popular in summer, so this was a good time to try it out, without all the tourists on the boat!

We chose to ride the Rhine Riverboat from Konstanz (which is actually in Germany, on Lake Constance / Bodensee, right on the border) down the Rhine River to end at the village of Steckborn (the boat actually continues to Schaffhausen, but 90 minutes on the boat was enough for us). But first we had lunch in Konstanz and had a look around that city first. 

As hoped, there were few people on the boat, and the air was warm enough to sit outside and enjoy all the lovely villages along the rivershore here, on both the Swiss and German sides of the river. (In fact, when the boat docked at each village, it was almost too warm!). A highlight of the trip was shortly after we left Konstanz, when the boat had to go under a low bridge, the roof canopy of the boat was lowered to just above our heads, in sitting position! 

Technically, this section of the Rhine River is actually called "Untersee", or "Lower Lake", and even though we entered Swiss waters right around the bend from Konstanz, the boat crosses back and forth along the river between German and Swiss towns. After disembarking in Steckborn on the Swiss side, we had a look around the village before returning home via train.

Even without a lot of sunshine, it was a successful outing. 

(Interestingly enough, exactly one year later, to the day, we did a hike in this same region, and took a boat ride on the Rhine River in the opposite direction, from Stein am Rhein to Berlingen. Those photos are HERE)

The streets of Konstanz, Germany

An interesting fountain in Konstanz

Cute brass figures on this fountain

Getting on the Rhine River boat at about 14:45. This is the notable figure (it revolves) at the harbour entrance at Konstanz

The bridge canopy was lowered to just over Urs' head! This was necessary in order for the boat to pass under a low bridge.

VIDEO:

Raising the bridge canopy after passing under the bridge

Around the corner, passing Konstanz, on the way westward on the Rhine River, just before it widens to form the lake Untersee

There were a lot of water birds, including cormorants, in this section. 

Between Konstanz and Steckborn, the ship crossed to the German side twice. (On our next boat ride on the Rhine River exactly one year later, we came from the other side and got out in Berlingen.)

The first stop after Konstanz: Gottlieben (Switzerland)

Leaving Gottlieben

The river here is actually a lake, called Untersee

Next stop, Ermatingen

Docking at Ermatingen

Enjoying our boat ride...

Up on the hill, Schloss Salenstein near Mannenbach

Schloss Salenstein

Docking in Berlingen (where we got off our Rhine Boat Ride a year later). 

A look back at the lakeside village of Berlingen, as we continue on to Steckborn

First view of the Steckborn castle right on the lake! The castle, also called "The Tower of Steckborn", was built in the early 14th Century.

Disembarking in Steckborn (about 90 minutes after leaving Konstanz). Since it was already past 4 p.m., we didn't want to continue on the boat ride. 

Ship dock at Steckborn

The ships basically cross at Steckborn. Here is the ship heading to Konstanz, a similar ship to the one we rode on. 

The main passage from the lakeshore into Steckborn (looking behind us after we passed through the gateway)

Walking around Steckborn

Many beautiful half-timbered houses here

Gasthaus Kehlhof, another beautiful half-timbered house

This is the "Pulverturm" (or "Powder Tower"). This is the most impressive of the remaining towers around the village. It stands here since 1497

Information about the 1497 Pulverturm ("Powder Tower", most likely gun-powder)

Standing beneath the Steckborn castle

Heading to the railway station for our trip home. 

Another view of the Untersee and the fabulous clouds on our train ride back toward Konstanz

Location of Lake Untersee in Switzerland/Germany

Walk down the Lönstch Ravine from Lake Klöntal to Glarus

(This post published on March 3, 2023 -- I did this hike alone and I don't remember why. Urs probably had a previous commitment).

Saturday May 28, 2016 -- Urs had a previous commitment, and even though the forecast was for overcast skies, the weather was warm and I wanted to get out. Even just for a short two-hour hike. Usually, when I hike alone, I pick a trail which might not be so interesting to Urs, or something we have done before and which I would want to do again.

We had already been to the beautiful Lake Klöntal in Canton Glarus several times, but had never walked out of the valley from lake level before, so this is what I chose for this day. Mostly it was a walk through leafy forests along following the Löntsch River and then ending at the train station in Glarus. In all it was just a little over 7 km, an easy walk.

Unfortunately the clouds were low over the lake when I got there with the bus, so it did not look as spectacular as usual (without the contrast of the high vertical mountains), but since I was mostly in the forest after that, it wasn't a big deal. Highlights were stone bridges, fountains, and lovely farms as I got closer to Glarus. It did take 2-1/2 hours travel time to get to the start of the hike, a little far for two hours of walking, but a successful outing anyway.

(Side Note: This piece of the trail, along with the walk along the lake which we did in 2014, are part of the 48-km long Pragel Pass Trail (Regional Trail no.29). Later in 2016 and then in 2021 we did two other sections, to basically complete the route).

This is in the park next to the train station. I was waiting for the departure of the bus to Lake Klöntal

Here I am at the lake, about to start walking back to Glarus, which took me about 2 hours. This is part of both the Pragel Pass Trail (no.29) and the Via Suvorov Trail (no.55)

Panorama view of Lake Klöntal from Rhodannenberg at the east end of the lake. I started walking at 13:20.

I didn't follow the numbered trail exactly (probably because I didn't have this interactive map at the time). It was about 2 hours of walking from the lake to the train station in Glarus

This plant is "Yellow Archangel" and is in the nettle family (my first thought was stinging nettles!). The flowers actually look like orchids. 

Walking through the fragrant forest

We often run across Roman Snails (Escargots) on our forest walks. 

When I walk alone, I have to find places to set my camera for self-timed photos. 

Fun water fountains along the forest paths

The trail crosses the river several times, on various types of bridges

Charming forest

Another wooden bridge crossing the river

I was pleasantly surprised to discover this attractive stone bridge! It's called the "Löntschtobel Bridge" (Löntsch being the name of the river, and Tobel is the ravine)

I did have to set up my camera to take a self-timed photo here as well.

A look down into the ravine from the bridge. 

A look back up the ravine toward the lake, as I continue down the trail. 

Once in a while a lovely pool of clear water

Now I'm leaving the forest, and get a look across the ravine to the road which the bus drives up. The vertical faces of the mountain on the north side of the ravine are fabulous

Down below is the Löntsch River

Another look behind me as I have now left the ravine behind. The clouds are gone now!

And again a look behind me as I reach the outskirts of the town of Glarus. 

Maybe this is a bird house?

Passing by the Glarner Stadtkirche, the main Reformed Church in Glarus

Glarner Stadkirche

Downtown Glarus

The approx. 7-km walking I did from Lake Klöntal to the town of Glarus, as seen on Google Satellite Maps

Heading back out of the Linth Valley (Linthal) by train, a look back at the valley I descended. 

All the sections of the "Pragel Pass Trail" which we completed till 2017. 

Location of Glarus and Lake Klöntal within Switzerland. Even though the Linthal Valley is pretty close to where we live, it still takes 2-1/2 hours to get to the lake.