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Start and finish: Isle Reichenau, Lake of Constance / Isle Rügen, Baltic Sea
Kilometers: app. 2,500
Best season: late spring until early fall
The tour from Isle Reichenau to the Isle of Rügen includes 2,500 kilometers of roads which are almost exclusively framed by Avenue trees. Riding along the green line across Germany one can experience preserved culture and a variety of landscapes.
Which of the stages the biker likes to ride and if he finishes the tour or only follows the “German Avenue Road” for a part is entirely up to him and his personal preferences. For all motorcycle riders who like to follow the entire tour we have put the 2,500 kilometers of the tour into one week. For sure one can say that the way from one end to the other is very long, but as one often hears: The way to get somewhere is the actual destination.
This is certainly true for this route. Like pearls on a necklace the cultural monuments are lined up next to each other. And every kilometer tells the motorcycle rider more about German history.
From Lake Constance to the northern part of the Black Forest
The tour across Germany starts at the idyllic Isle Reichenau at Lake Constance. The route now leads via Ravensburg, Riedlingen, Gammertingen and Reutlingen through the hilly relief of the Schwäbisch Alb towards the northern Black Forest. The finish of the first stage is Freudenstadt after 220 kilometers — a short stage to get used to the riding.
One should take some time to finish this stage for several reasons. First of all one could stop at the Motorcycle House Wandel at Reutlingen to talk about bikes and trips. But there are also several towns and monuments along the tour which can be visited by the two-wheel riders; for example the castle Lichtenstein and Hohenzollern close to Reutlingen. The historic “Cháteau Marquette” is recommended for the bikers who travel the first night on the “German Avenue Road.” The place is certainly worth to spend a night in. (Further accommodation at Freudenstadt: Hotel “Palmenwald”).
From the Black Forest via Palatinate to Rhine-Hesse
The second day covers an area of 300 kilometers. The finish is at Bad Kreuznach between the Hunsrück and the North Palatinate mountainous country. The traveler will find a variety of different landscapes along these 300 kilometers of the second stage. Starting at Freudenstadt in the Black Forest the tour leads via Bad Wildbach, Karlsruhe, Lauterbourg to Bad Bergzabern. Here the “Avenue Road” meets the “German Wine Road,” the first and most famous one in the world.
The Wine Road stretches south along the Palatinate, second largest German wine growing area, and starts at Bockenheim. It leads for 85 kilometers via Bad Dürkheim, Neustadt (at the Wine Road) and Edenkoben to Schweigen-Rechtenbach. The town is located right at the border to France in the southwestern corner of Germany. Here one can feel real Mediterranean flair due to its 1800 hours of sun per year. Since the travelers are riding along the “German Avenue Road” they need to follow the opposite direction of the “German Wine Road.” The road leads north to Bockenheim.
Here the roads separate again. The green line of the Avenue Road passes through Westhofen, Osthofen and Alzey and finally on to Bad Kreuzach as the finish of the second day. The country hotel “Kauzenburg” (3 stars) proves to be a convenient accommodation to rest ones behind, tired limbs and the motorcycle until the next day. Anyone looking for more luxury is recommended to check out the “Parkhotel Kurhaus.” The 4-star hotel perfectly fits into the surroundings of the health resort Bad Kreuznach. (Further accommodation at Bad Kreuznach: Hotel “Victoria”, Hotel “Engel im Salinental”)
From the wine at the Rhine towards the baroque town of Fulda
The third stage starts in Bad Kreuznach and leads via Weinberg and Soonwald to Boppard, which is about 100 kilometers away. Here the road crosses the Rhine. Afterwards the traveler needs to ride via Braubach towards Bad Ems. Then he should head through the nature park of Nassau along the Lahn to Weilburg. If one is ready for a break at this seat of royal power one is recommended to visit the only German crystal cave.
This wonder of nature was discovered in 1974. With its 30 meters it is also the largest cave to be visited. Back on the motorcycle one finishes the tour towards Fulda. The Avenue Road leads through the narrow avenue of the Weil and the nature park Hochtaunus until it finally reaches Wetterau, Hesse’s fruit growing area. Large plains and fertile fields are characteristic of the area. The finish of the stage is located at Friedbert, in the middle of Wetterau.
When the biker reaches the town at the end of the thirds day he has finished 250 kilometers. Anyone who likes to spend some time at the Hessian town to discover some of its history should look around the old part of town with its idyllic corners. In the center of it, in the former Jewish part, one finds a cultural monument nationally known. The “Jewish bath”, a Mikwe, is said to be one of the most famous of the few still preserved Jewish ritual baths of Roman architectural style. Anyone who just likes to hang out can perfectly do so at the hotel “Stadt Friedberg”, the only hotel in town.
From the outside the building does not promise much charm. But on the inside the owners have tried to add a nostalgic touch to the old building. However it’s suitable enough to sleep and eat there. It is only for one night.
Via Vogelsberg to the Thuringian landscape
On the fourth day one will have to make a decision. At Kaltennordheim or at Kaltenwestheim in the Thuringian Forest one gets to choose either to turn towards north crossing the Harz and Saxony-Anhalt or turning southeast to Thuringia and Saxony. The finish of either route is the same — Neuruppin in Brandenburg. The decision which section of the “German Avenue Road” would be the most appropriate or most interesting needs for oneself needs to be made individually. But a first one needs to get started on the road to Kaltennordheim, Kaltenwestheim, which are several kilometers beyond Friedberg. Let’s go.
At Nidda, about 20 kilometers after Friedberg, the landscape is changing again and the very individual and austere part of Vogelsberg receives the riders and bikes and accompanies them to the baroque town of Fulda. Its history spread over 1000 years. By any chance one should visit the old part of town because its long past has left behind several witnesses of the times. The cathedral of Fulda is only one of the many appraisable buildings in town. Right behind Fulda one finds the Rhön. Passing Gerstfeld, Fladungen and the Wasserkuppe, which is 950 meter high, one closes in at the towns where one will have to decide...
A) The northern slope
If one decides to continue the tour crossing through Harz and Saxony-Anhalt towards the north one should consider stopping at the Wartburg in Eisenach for a break. From there the finish of the stage is only 50 kilometers away. But if one is passing through the area one should certainly visit the famous castle at Eisenach.
The former imperial free city of Mülhausen displays lots of his historical past as well. Witnesses of the past can be found throughout the town. At the first finish of the day along the northern slope one finds the hotel “Mirage” for rest and accommodation. Or one could spend the night at the sport hotel Mühlhausen.
From Thuringia to Saxony-Anhalt
Leaving the historical Mühlhausen the fifth stage leads through the Unstruttal to Dingelstädt and continues on to Leinefelde and Heiligenstadt. If one likes Theodor Storm one should stop at the 1000 year-old metropolis of the Eichsfeld located in the triangle of Thuringia, Hesse and Lower Saxony. Here the German lyric poet and novelist was employed as district judge and wrote several of his fairytales, poems and novels.
One can find his tracks all throughout Heiligenstadt. If one isn’t so much into literature one continues on. The tour leads via Duderstadt, one of the most important German towns of timber-framed houses, and via Goslar, the former Hanseatic and imperial free cities, to Halberstadt. The ancient town was one of the most famous Episcopal cities in the Middle Ages.
Its cathedral and valuable cathedral treasure should be worth a visit if one is interested in sacred treasures. Or what about a pit break at the motorcycle dealer at Halberstadt? And if there is still some time left one can stop in at Goslar which offers plenty of history worth a visit. Staßfurt, finish of day number two, is located 40 kilometers beyond Halberstadt. For a peaceful night one might consider choosing hotel “Burgas.”
In the morning at Staßfurt (Saxony Anhalt) and at night in Neuruppin (Brandenburg)
After leaving Staßfurt one rides along the “German Avenue Road” via Könnern, Dessau and the Wörlitzer Park to Luther’s town of Wittenberg. One should plan to spend some time at the town by the Elbe because there are lots of things to discover. One can walk to the church by the castle where Martin Luther nailed his famous thesis at the door or one can visit the Augusteum where his house is located.
If one does not yet to take a break one can go on to Golzow, Brandenburg and crossing the Havelland towards Neuruppin. It is located south of Mecklenburg’s Lake District. Embedded between numerous lakes the north Brandenburg city is awaiting the two-wheel riders after 315 kilometers. The hotel “Gildental” is located next to a lake. It is very idyllic here and one will be able to relax after the long trip.
B) The southern slope
Anyone who would rather likes to travel through Thuringia and Saxony will need to head southeast instead of north. The tour passes by the 751 meter high Gigaberg and leads through the Thuringian Forest passing the towns of Meiningen, Kühndorf and Oberhof. It continues on to Arnstadt always keeping today’s finish at Saalfeld in mind.
But before reaching Saalfeld one crosses the Ilm Valley at Stadtilm to head straight forward to the town at the river Saale. The section between the starting point at Friedberg and the finish line at Saalfeld is 325 kilometers long. These 325 kilometers can be tough on one’s behind. Therefore one should compensate by taking a walk around the 1000-year-old town of Saalfeld or visit one of the wonders recorded in the Guinness-book: the Fairy Grottos. Anyone who feels too tired or who is just not in the mood for it might get settled in at the historical hotel “Anker” in the center of town. The hotel was opened in 1486 and one can truly experience its history by the look of its walls. (further accommodations at Saalfeld: Hotel “Tanne”)
Riding from Saalfelder Land to the banks of the Elbe
From Saalfeld the green line of the “German Avenue Road” leads via Pößneck, Ziegenrück and Schleiz, with its traditional race track, across Vogtland. It continues on via Plauen and Oelsnitz towards the Erzgebirge passing the towns of Aue, Schwarzenberg and Annaberg-Buchholz.
The Erzgebirge region is known for its former silver mines which enabled the towns to be well-off. Erzgebirge stands for traditional wood carving, too. Later on along the route towards Dresden one passes the towns of Olbernhau or the toy village of Seiffen where this tradition is celebrated even today. But the Erzgebirge stands for more than silver mining and traditional wood carving.
Here one finds beautiful roads for motorcycles on which it is pleasant to move along. For example one can ride towards Frauenstein, Schmiedeberg or Dippoldiswalde. From there it is only a stones throw to Dresden, Saxony’s capitol and the second destination on the southern slope. Here one finds a place to rest after today’s tour of 275 kilometers. People enjoying the arts have plenty to discover at this city at the Elbe; for example in the treasure chest of the aristocratic dynasty of the Wettiner.
How about a visit at the “Grünes Gewölbe” — the treasure vault of August des Starken (August the Strong) — or a visit at the Gemäldegalerie (painting gallery)? At the baroque metropolis at the Elbe one can either stay at a fancy or a very ordinary place. There is a large variety of possible accommodations. How about a night at the Hilton-Hotel right in the center of the historic ensemble of buildings in Dresden in the immediate neighborhood of Frauenkirche (church of the Lady), castle and Brühlscher Terasse? (further accommodations: Hotel “Residenz Bülow”, Art’otel)
Saxony’s glamour and Prussian’s Gloria
The “German Avenue Road” continues on through Saxony and leads through places of Saxony’s glamour times; for example Moritzburg, with its hunting castle, or Meißen, with its world-famous porcelain. Beyond Meißen the route winds back and forth, but always besides the river Elbe, until it finally reaches Wittenberg. Here the northern and southern slope finally meet again and continue on towards Neuruppin in Brandenburg. After 325 kilometers at Neuruppin the bikers reach the joint finish of the stage. Sea Hotel “Gildental” is an excellent choice to spend the night at this town.
Crossing through Mecklenburg’s Lake District towards the coast of the Baltic Sea
The last stage of the tour across Germany starts off by riding through the Ruppiner Schweiz and the Strelitzer Lake District to Wesenburg. From this town, which is located at the southern corner of the National Park Müritz, the tour continues by crossing through the Mecklenburger Lake District, another region full of lakes. Almost without a break one finds one lake after another until one reaches Dennim.
From there it is only about 60 kilometers to the ancient Hanseatic city of Strahlsund, the “gate” to the Isle of Rügen. One reaches the isle by riding across the Strelasund, a bridge over where the Kubbitzer and Greifswalder Bodden meet. At Putbus one needs to decide again where to head to: Either to the most northern point, Cape Arkona, or to Sellin, a bath resort. If one decides on a few more kilometers to the most northern point one should stop in at the “King’s seat”, the imposing chalk mountain.
At the Cape one can stay at the hotel “Auqamaris” at the sea resort Juliusruh. If one rather likes to rest in Sellin one can spend the night at the hotel “Ambiance”. (further accommodations at Sellin and Juliusruh: Hotel “Kurhaus Sellin”, Hotel Artrium” at Juliusruh). For all bikers: The tour is completed and after more than 1000 kilometers the end of the green line of the “German Avenue Road” has been reached.
If one does not want ride the whole way back can easily make use of the car train of the German Railroad. Leaving from Saßnitz on the Isle of Rügen the train takes biker and motorcycle “piggy back” and returns to either Frankfurt/Main — Neu Isenburg (Germany) or Stuttgart — Kornwestheim (D). By the way: The “German Avenue Road” can also be found on the Internet. There are several information about interesting places along and besides the green line which connects Germany’s south and north.
Please check at: www.deutsche-alleenstrasse.de. A further link to be noticed is: www.dbautozug.de. Here one finds everything (in English too) about the trip back on the train: time tables, tickets and conditions for transportation.
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