Off the beaten track, side routes in the Swabian Alb

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Who hasn’t experienced it: it’s the weekend, preferably a public holiday, and perfect weather – everything on wheels is clogging up the roads. This phenomenon can be found in many tourist destinations, including the biosphere reserve. If you want to go on a motorcycle tour in such weather, you either have to be able to suffer or make an effort to be curvier. That’s what I did this year on the Easter weekend. Of course, I don’t want to deprive you of the pleasure of these bends. The tour is an absolute pleasure tour for days when normal routes are totally overcrowded.

I travel to Münsingen from the Neckar valley via well-known and busy roads. My personal highlight here is the Seeburg valley between Hengen and Seeburg, perfect bends and a surface for relaxed cornering. Shortly after Münsingen, at the beginning of the Lauter Valley, I follow the stream of tourists until I finally turn off onto the small forest road to Ödenwaldstetten. Suddenly the roads are empty and cruising becomes a pleasure.

Distance: 130 km
Duration: 2-3 h
Road conditions: Very narrow side roads
Link and GPX download: kurv.gr/nvLf5

Short stop after Ödenwaldstetten

Fortunately, I filled up my R1100S as a precaution, because there are no more petrol stations for the next 90 km. Actually, there’s nothing more to come except small roads, lots of nature, rock formations and pure enjoyment. After Ödenwaldstetten, most of the roads are single-lane. I notice how I escape from everyday life and enjoy the peace and quiet. I head roughly in the direction of Zwiefalten, but leave Zwiefalten on the left and turn off in the direction of Upflamör. The turning point of the tour is Veringendorf. The climb to Veringendorf is one of my favorites. The road is very narrow, the bends are challenging and confusing. At least one of the bends closes unexpectedly, commonly known as a dog bend. I ease off the accelerator and enjoy the rock formations and always dare to take a look down into the valley. This climb almost gives me a feeling of the Alps.

Steige in the direction of Veringendorf

It goes back in the direction of Zwiefalten

The last kilometer before Veringendorf leads through a beautiful valley. Shortly before Veringendorf there is a fantastic combination of bends. After such an ingenious climb, there is only one right decision – turn around and ride again. If you don’t fancy turning around, you can also ride via Veringenstadt towards Inneringen, the climb to Inneringen is also worth a visit.

Too bad, now it’s time to head back again. If you want to extend the route, you can take a nice ride into the Danube valley from Veringendorf. But I make my way back towards Zwiefalten. A few minutes later I see on the display that I’ve missed the route. Wasn’t there a road there? I turn around and drive back a few hundred meters and see a dirt road with only two tarred lanes and a grass verge in the middle. I haven’t seen a road like this for a long time. No prohibition sign? Ok Kurviger, I trust you.

Two concrete lanes – the municipality must have saved money here

Shortly before Zwiefalten, another highlight awaits, the Dobeltal valley with its impressive rock formations. Then I’m already in Zwiefalten. Zwiefalten is famous for its monastery with the onion tower and its monastery brewery. There are also a few options here for a short break and a petrol station. I deliberately don’t ride into the Lauter Valley, one of the most popular motorcycle routes in the Swabian Alb. Although the Lautertal offers great bends, it is also very busy at the weekend. Instead, an old acquaintance is waiting for me, a small road to Sondernach that leads into the Schmiechtal valley. From the Schmiechtal you could return to Apfelstetten and the tour becomes a round trip. I turn off in the direction of Magolsheim and head for home.