Bodensee Dreiländerquerung 3LQ

The morning of the Bodensee Dreiländerquerung begins with a quiet intensity, as swimmers gather at the harbour in Lindau. Since 2012, this event has transformed from a local challenge into a globally recognized marathon, recently earning a top 10 ranking from the World Open Water Swimming Association. Athletes return each year to navigate the basin of Lake Constance, a vast expanse shaped by the retreat of the Rhine Glacier. Whether you are tackling the 5 km 5tartUp-Querung or the full 64 km longitudinal odyssey, the experience is defined by the unique geography of this border-straddling water.

Landmarks of the crossing

As you depart from the German shore, your first point of reference is the 33-metre Lindau Lighthouse, which has overlooked the harbour since 1856. Opposite this maritime sentinel, the massive stone sculpture of the Bavarian Lion guards the entrance, marking the city’s historical ties to Bavaria. As the swim progresses, the scale of the landscape becomes apparent, with the Austrian Pfänder mountain serving as a constant, looming backdrop. In the eastern shallows, you may pass near the artificial Hoy bathing island, built in the 1920s, or navigate around the Vogelinsel, a strictly protected bird reserve where the water depth drops sharply to 25 metres. These landmarks serve as vital navigation points, anchoring the swimmer against the vast, open horizon of the lake. While the water is generally tranquil, the sheer size of the lake reminds you that you are crossing a historic theater of movement, not unlike the flotillas that once navigated these waters during the 17th-century conflicts. The lake's capacity for rapid change is a reminder of its raw power, though the organizing team ensures that safety remains the primary focus throughout the different distance categories.