On a sustainable mission with a mini camper and a pug

How does sustainable camping work? Gudrun Miessl of ECOCAMPING and her pug Holly tried it out. They stayed at sustainably managed campsites on Lake Constance, recognized by the European Ecolabel.

It all starts during the Whitsun holidays. We're traveling sustainably in a wooden bicycle camper, pulled by a cargo bike, with Holly, our pug, perched atop it. An unusual team on a sustainable mission, traveling on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency and RAL gGmbH. In our luggage: a roadshow with games, fun, and information.

We start in Konstanz. We plan to spend the first night at the Wahlwies campsite. This means cycling along the Untersee. Despite the busy Lake Constance cycle path, there's still plenty of room for the mini camper – even with oncoming traffic. The cycle path initially offers stunning views: On the left, the view sweeps over reed meadows, protected nature, the Untersee, and the island of Reichenau; on the right, a major construction site. Federal Highway 33 has been undergoing extensive expansion for years.

In Allensbach we treat ourselves to a detour to the lake promenade.

A great contrast

In Radolfzell, we parked the vehicle behind the cathedral to photograph the contrast: small, mobile, and innovative, juxtaposed with large, steadfast, and venerable. At the market square, the first camping guests from Wahlwies recognized the announced vehicle and looked forward to seeing it again at the roadshow.

Now it's back into the hinterland via the hamlet of Reute, past a field full of solar panels to Stahringen, and finally to Wahlwies. The campsite, which has an EU Ecolabel, is located in an orchard. Camp under apple trees. The Knaust family, which runs it, sells their own apple juice. It's delicious and thirst-quenching.

Only the driveway to the campsite is paved, followed by gravel paths and grass. A campsite may have a maximum of ten percent of its surface area sealed to achieve the EU Ecolabel. This is one of many criteria that Wahlwies easily meets.

Romantic overnight stay

The roadshow attracts visitors who curiously peek inside the bike camper. It has a built-in bed that offers enough space for one person and a pug. Some try out the cargo bike, the new "Carrie" model from Riese & Müller. It's robust and high-quality, so we don't need the campsite's bike repair station.

In the evening, the small camper parks on the romantic spot at the Wahlwies camping garden, and we slumber under roses and a walnut tree.

At night, it cools down remarkably. The cozy, warm bathrooms are a delight. The sun provides hot water thanks to solar thermal energy. If that's not enough, a wood pellet heater kicks in. Sustainable camping offers all the comforts and more. Wake-up calls are provided by countless families of sparrows nesting in the attic of the utility shed. The roof itself is equipped with solar panels.

Attractions follow one after the other

The next morning, we set off early, as the toughest stage lies ahead – not because of the 45 kilometers to Markdorf, but because of the climb in Meersburg. But first, Lake Constance unfolds its wildly romantic charm on our journey. The rugged molasse cliffs outside Überlingen contrast with the St. Sylvester Chapel, one of the oldest churches in Germany.

Then the attractions follow one after the other: the old town of Überlingen, the Birnau pilgrimage church, the pile dwelling museum.

It goes steeply uphill

Finally, Meersburg Castle comes into view. Usually a pleasant sight, but this time my heart is heavy. The climb is so steep that even the cargo bike's superb engine won't be enough to pull the wooden camper. Someone else will have to push. Thanks to the impressive combination, a couple quickly finds a helping hand. But halfway there, I run out of breath. A young man who looks very fit decides to push along. And so, we're almost done. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Now we cycle along the cycle path next to the federal highway 33 via Ittendorf with the striking parish church of St. Martin to Markdorf.

Roadshow at the Wirtshof

We arrive at our next stop, the Wirthshof campsite, just in time. There, the roadshow again attracts interested visitors, including many families. The children try out golf frisbee and proudly walk away with a frisbee. The 5-star Wirthshof campsite places great emphasis on sustainability in its extensive leisure program: guided tours of the farm's own beehives, nature experiences, a flea market, orchard projects, and even back prevention programs. The Wirth family originally ran a fruit farm. Now they operate a large campsite with additional rental accommodations, including 17 new chalets that were built entirely sustainably and are energy self-sufficient thanks to heat pumps and photovoltaics.

In the evening, I park the mini camper in a regular spot. It almost seems a little lost—how little space such a rolling bed takes up. And yet we have everything we need, including food and a blanket for our pug, Holly. In the morning, the Wirthshof campers find everything they need for a packaging-free breakfast in the unpackaged store. Milk flows from the steel cow into a returnable bottle, and the muesli trickles directly into the bowl. The Wirthshof received the EU Ecolabel 20 years ago and is striving for re-certification.

It rolls almost by itself

The next stage turns out to be a breeze; the journey to Friedrichshafen practically rolls by itself. The lively waterfront promenade is not far from the inclusive CAP Rotach campsite, close to the town.

The green flag with the EU flower, the logo of the EU Ecolabel, waves clearly towards us. The roadshow is also proving popular at this campsite. In addition to our cargo bike for testing, we also have the campsite's cargo bike, which has been used for errands and load transport for years. Whether employees or guests with disabilities, it feels natural and uncomplicated at this campsite. From the café terrace, the view not only sweeps across the shores of Lake Constance, but also across the adjacent flowerbed, which is rich in insects. A special plus: Directly behind the campsite, a lakeside path leads to the Eriskircher Ried nature reserve, about two kilometers away. Anyone looking to go out in Friedrichshafen in the evening can quickly reach the city center from this campsite on foot. But the party stays where it's happening. Security on the campsite itself ensures peace and quiet at night.

By ferry to Switzerland

The next morning, getting the unusual combination onto the ferry is no problem. The cashier proves to be flexible and accommodating, as there's no set fare for a cargo bike with a pug and a mini camper. The ferry docks in Romanshorn, nearby Switzerland.

We return to Konstanz directly along the lakeshore. The cycle path leads through Thurgau, an agricultural canton also known as the "Mostindien" (Most Indian) region. We cycle for kilometer after kilometer past apple orchards, cornfields, and reed meadows, with Lake Constance mostly in view. A special highlight at the end is the beautiful Seeburg Park in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, which, thanks to the artificial border, merges seamlessly and almost imperceptibly into the harbor area and finally into the old town of Konstanz.

Conclusion: Sustainable camping is fun and comfortable. And Holly the pug is welcome everywhere.