Walking and feasting on the German shore of Lake Constance

"Under the warm autumn sun, looking out over the lake, I'm sipping tart, refreshing apple-secco. It's a sparkling prosecco-like aperitif, but made from apples instead of grapes. I eat a few cinnamon apple chips, then move on to the hard stuff: brandy made from heritage apple varieties. If you hadn't guessed, apples are big business around here. I'm on a walking trip along the shores of Lake Constance, on Germany's southern border. About 250,000 tonnes of apples are harvested in this region each year."

"Our trip has coincided with the annual gourmet event, when local producers set up stalls and sell their wares along 9 miles (15km) of the SeeGang hiking trail between Uberlingen, Sipplingen and Bodman-Ludwigshafen (this year it takes place on 12 October). If apples aren't your jam, there's also pear-secco and spirits made from everything from plums, cherries and blackcurrants to jerusalem artichokes. Hikers can also sample food such as smoked sausages, cheeses, onion tarts, and homemade cakes and pies."

"Lake Constance map Lake Constance's tourism tagline is: Four countries one lake. Germany, Austria and Switzerland all meet at the lake, while Lichtenstein is just a half-hour drive away. On our short break, my boyfriend and I stick to the German section, but those with more time could easily visit three or four countries. There is a 160-mile cycling circuit around the lake, which can be divided into four to eight stages; and week-long foodie, active and highlights itineraries, all doable using public transport."

The Lake Constance region harvests about 250,000 tonnes of apples annually and produces apple-secco, apple brandy from heritage varieties, and other fruit spirits. A 15km SeeGang hiking trail hosts an annual gourmet event where local producers sell wares and hikers sample smoked sausages, cheeses, onion tarts, cakes and pies. The area also offers pear-secco and spirits from plums, cherries, blackcurrants and Jerusalem artichokes. The lake borders Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with Liechtenstein nearby. A 160-mile cycling circuit and week-long itineraries are supported by public transport, while Bodensee tickets and the Bodensee Card Plus provide travel and attraction access.

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