#15 - Feldberg

Strasbourg

St Wendel - Highlights

  • Wendalinus Basilica: The Wendalinus Basilica is an imposing church in the centre of St. Wendel. It was built in neo-Gothic style and is an impressive architectural masterpiece.
  • Schlossplatz: The Schlossplatz is a picturesque square in the heart of the town. Here you will find St. Wendel's baroque town hall and the historic castle, which is now used as a cultural centre. The square is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors.

Neunkirchen - Highlights

  • Altes Hüttenareal: The Altes Hüttenareal is a historic industrial area that now serves as a cultural centre. It houses the Neunkirchen Miners' Monument, which commemorates the mining history of the region. Cultural events are also held here regularly.
  • Marienkirche: The Marienkirche is the main church in Neunkirchen and an impressive example of neo-Gothic architecture. The church was built in the 19th century and has beautiful stained glass windows and an impressive organ.
  • Bliesbrücke: The Bliesbrücke is a historic bridge over the river Blies and a landmark of Neunkirchen. The bridge was built in the 19th century and offers a picturesque view of the surrounding countryside.

Zweibrücken - Highlights

  • Zweibrücken Castle: Zweibrücken Castle, also known as the Duke's Castle, is an impressive 18th-century Baroque palace. Today it houses the Rhineland-Palatinate Higher Regional Court and the Zweibrücken registry office.
  • Rose Garden: The Rose Garden in Zweibrücken is a beautiful garden with an impressive collection of roses. It was laid out in 1914 and offers visitors a picturesque setting to relax and enjoy the splendour of the flowers.

Strasbourg - Highlights

  • Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg): The cathedral is the city's most famous landmark and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. You can climb the tower for a breathtaking view of the city.
  • La Petite France: This is a picturesque district with half-timbered houses and narrow streets. Here you can stroll along the canals, admire historic buildings and relax in charming restaurants and cafés.
  • Tanners' Quarter (Quartier des Tanneurs): This quarter used to be the centre of the tanning industry. It is characterised by its colourful half-timbered houses and picturesque streets. It is a great place to experience the historical flair of Strasbourg.
  • Place Kléber: Place Kléber is the central square of Strasbourg and one of the largest squares in Europe. Here you will find many shops, restaurants and cafés. Strasbourg's Christmas market, one of the oldest and most famous in Europe, takes place here.
  • Palais Rohan: This palace was once the residence of the bishops and today it houses three museums: the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Alsatian Museum.
  • Musée de l'Œuvre Notre-Dame: This museum houses an impressive collection of medieval art and sculptures, including original elements of Strasbourg Cathedral.
  • European Parliament: Strasbourg is the seat of the European Parliament. You can take a guided tour of the building and learn more about the work of the European Union.

Long day (180km), via St Wendels Basilika, Rose Garden of Zweibrücken, Zitadelle of Bitsch and late on the day the Canal de la Marne au Rhine. Near the finish line: European Parliament. Stay in a camp site in Kehl that I have been in the past 4 times.

Materialschlacht - Schauinsland

Freiburg - Highlights

  • Freiburg Cathedral: This impressive Gothic cathedral is the city's landmark. You can climb the tower for a breathtaking view over the city and the Black Forest.
  • Historic Old Town: The picturesque old town of Freiburg is a real treat with its narrow streets, historic buildings and colourful facades. Stroll through the streets, visit Münsterplatz and explore the cosy squares such as Rathausplatz or Augustinerplatz.
  • Schlossberg: The Schlossberg is a hill that rises in the centre of the city. You can get to the top either on foot or by cable car. There you will find ruins of an old fortress, a beer garden and a beautiful view of Freiburg.
  • Colombischlössle Archaeological Museum: The Colombischlössle Archaeological Museum offers insights into the history of the region, from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. It houses an impressive collection of artefacts and exhibitions.
  • Augustinermuseum: The Augustinermuseum is housed in a former 14th century monastery and presents an extensive art collection. Here you can admire works by artists such as Hans Baldung Grien, Lucas Cranach the Elder and others.
  • Martinstor and Schwabentor: These two city gates are remains of the medieval city fortifications. The Martinstor is the most famous gate and serves as a symbol for the city. Both gates are a beautiful sight and offer an impression of Freiburg's historic past.
  • Freiburger Bächle: The Freiburger Bächle are small watercourses that flow through the streets of the old town. They are characteristic of the city and offer pleasant cooling on hot days. It is said that if you accidentally step into one of the Bächle, you can be sure of coming back to Freiburg.

Same tyre back in 2014 (Scotland) - a Conti Tour, and always ridden with high pressure, but the side wall got weak close to the rim and I made it to a bikeshop in Lahr at 8am to get a new tyre.  Freiburg for lunchtime, visiting 2 MPIs there and after some Skyr from ALDI up the Schauinsland road with views ins Land and the goal for next morning: Feldberg.

Mountain #15 - Feldberg

Mountain #15 - Feldberg, Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg, situated in Southwest Germany, is a state that shares its eastern border with the Rhine River and forms the southern part of Germany's western boundary with France. It is the third-largest German state in terms of both land area and population. As of 2019, it has a population of over 11.07 million people and covers an area of approximately 35,752 square kilometers. It is surpassed in size by Bavaria and Lower Saxony and in population by North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. Baden-Württemberg operates as a partially autonomous parliamentary republic within the federal structure of Germany. The capital city of the state is Stuttgart, which is the largest city in Baden-Württemberg. Other significant cities include Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Freiburg im Breisgau, Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Pforzheim, Reutlingen, Tübingen, and Ulm. Previously, the region that now constitutes Baden-Württemberg was divided into the historical territories of Baden, Prussian Hohenzollern, and Württemberg. In April 1952, these three regions were merged to form the state of Baden-Württemberg as part of West Germany. The Allied powers had initially created these separate states after World War II based on their respective occupation zones. Baden-Württemberg is renowned for its robust economy, encompassing various industries such as automobile manufacturing, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and the service sector, among others. It boasts the third-highest gross regional product (GRP) in Germany. Many prominent German companies, including Mercedes-Benz Group, Schwarz Group, Porsche, Bosch, and SAP, have their headquarters in Baden-Württemberg. The term "Ländle," derived from the local Swabian, Alemannic, and Franconian dialects, is sometimes used as a nickname or synonym for Baden-Württemberg.

At 1,493 metres, the Feldberg is the highest mountain in Baden-Württemberg.

Early breakfast at 6.40 in Todtnau after 400 vertical meters down. Climbing up Feldberg, standing tall at nearly 1500m. Passing through tourist magnets in Hochschwarzwald. Next sight: source of the Danube in Donaueschingen and source of the Aach a bit later. Camping in Wahlwies not to far from Lake Constance. A camp site I stayed back in 2011 on my Deutschlandtour 2011 - einmal aussen rum... in 15 Tagen.