At Sipplingen the north shore of Lake Constance changes character. The Überlinger See, the long north-western arm of the lake, is hemmed in here by steep molasse cliffs and wooded slopes rising to the Sipplinger Berg, and the village sits on a narrow strip between the hill and the water. Below the surface off the eastern harbour lie the remains of prehistoric pile dwellings, villages of wooden houses built on stilts along the shore some five to six thousand years ago. They are part of the World Heritage site of prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps.
You will not see much of the pile dwellings from the shore, as they are underwater and protected. To get a sense of them, visit the open-air museum at Unteruhldingen, a few kilometres east, where reconstructed houses stand in the water. The finds from Sipplingen, including pottery, tools and food remains, have helped archaeologists understand how people lived on the lake in the Neolithic and Bronze Age.
The riding around here is varied. The B31 along the north shore is busy and often congested, especially in summer, so it is better to take the smaller roads that climb into the hills behind the lake. From the heights above Sipplingen, you get fantastic views across the water to the Swiss Alps on a clear day. The roads are well-maintained, with plenty of curves and changes in elevation. In the hinterland, the Linzgau and Hegau regions offer quiet country roads through orchards, forests and farmland.
Lake Constance is one of the largest lakes in Central Europe, bordered by Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The Überlinger See is deep and clear, popular for swimming and sailing. The hills above Sipplingen are covered with orchards, and in spring the blossom is spectacular. In autumn, the vineyards turn gold and red, and the lake is often shrouded in mist in the morning.
Sipplingen is a small village with a few restaurants, a café and a beach. For fuel, head to Überlingen, about six kilometres away, a lovely old town with a promenade, Gothic minster and plenty of places to eat. Try local fish such as Felchen, a whitefish from the lake, often served fried or smoked, and wash it down with a glass of wine from the slopes above the shore.