BACKYARD GRAVEL Bodensee
Event
08
May
-
10
May
Open
350km
Gravel
Adventure, community and cake – no race, no competition – just you, your bike and a story waiting to be told.
Ride Description
BACKYARD GRAVEL Bodensee is a bikepacking experience that stretches in a wide arc around the picturesque Lake Constance region.
The event is aimed at adventurers who share a passion for exploration, community and good cake. It combines the spirit of a self-supported bikepacking tour with the fun of riding together as a group and the coziness of shared evenings around the campfire.
Along a carefully planned route, participants can enjoy the breathtaking landscapes around Lake Constance at their own pace.
BACKYARD GRAVEL Bodensee is a 3-day bikepacking adventure. Can you only join on Friday evening or Saturday morning? No problem – start your journey at the first camp in Emmingen or join at any point along the route.
The Route
Approx. 350 km, 4,500 metres of elevation over 3 days, or approx. 240 km, 2,700 metres of elevation over 2 days.
Friday: 110 km / 1,700 m
Saturday: 135 km / 1,300 m
Sunday: 115 km / 1,500 m
(Leisure option: 80 km / 600 m)
Highlights
- Panoramic views of Lake Constance
- Quiet nature reserves and moor landscapes
- Unexpected volcanoes
- Charming villages
- Rolling hills and peaceful forest tracks
- Bakeries, farm shops and gelaterias
The Camps
At the end of each day, riders meet at campsites with basic infrastructure.
Food & drinks: Fresh, homemade meals and snacks.
Sleeping: On Friday, a cozy camp at the Witthoh ski hut in Emmingen, and on Saturday a camp in the historic Heustadel Bärenweiler (both locations offer plenty of space in the garden for your tent, or indoors for a mat and sleeping bag).
Campfire: For sharing stories and relaxing together.
Breakfast: A hearty breakfast to start the day right.
A Self-Supported Adventure
Participants are responsible for their own equipment, food and navigation along the predefined route. Any luggage you don’t need on the bike will be transported to the daily destinations and the final destination in St. Gallen.
Shared breaks, mutual support and riding in groups are explicitly encouraged.
The Community
Expect an atmosphere of mutual support and joy.
Everyone is welcome – from experienced bikepackers to beginners. Covering 400 kilometres in three days requires a solid base level of fitness. A large part of the route is unpaved and requires confident bike handling.
It’s not a race. Ride at your own pace, find your rhythm, and let your own adventure unfold.