The Konstanzer Tal, also known outside the region as Alpseetal, is a broad, open valley in the Allgäu region, stretching roughly twelve kilometers from the Großer Alpsee lake to the Staufen. This is a place where the flat valley floor, up to a kilometer wide, sits beneath dramatic ridgelines of nagelfluh conglomerate rock typical of this part of the Alps.

The landscape here is calm and varied - to the north rises the Salmaser Höhe ridge, while to the south runs the Prodel ridge. The valley holds the Großer Alpsee, Kleiner Alpsee, and Teufelssee lakes, along with the Konstanzer and Osterdorfer waterfalls. In summer, favorable winds make the Großer Alpsee a popular spot for sailing and windsurfing, while in winter the valley transforms into a ski destination with numerous downhill and cross-country trails. In spring and autumn, quiet villages and meadows spread between the rolling hills offer a peaceful escape.

How to get there

• Oberstaufen or Immenstadt - the valley is crossed by the B308 road and the Buchloe-Lindau railway line, easy access, also reachable by bus line 39
• Ratholz - starting point for Alpsee Bergwelt with a summer toboggan run and two natural sledding tracks in winter

Practical information

• Parts of the valley are protected landscape areas (Großer Alpsee and Kleiner Alpsee in Immenstadt)
• In winter, the Hündle-Thalkirchdorf ski area offers over 20 slopes leading into the valley, plus the Konstanzer Loipe cross-country trail

Interestingly, from the 14th century onward, an economically important salt route ran through the valley connecting Bad Reichenhall via Munich to Lake Constance, showing the valley's historic significance for trade.