Bavaria, Austria & Grossglockner

First miles in the German part of the Northern Vosges park, in the Palatinate, before reaching Neustadt an der Weinstrasse and its beautiful market square.

Short crossing of the Rhine (with a small ferry), then head to Heidelberg. 

This magnificent university city inspired many Romantics (Hugo, Turner...), captivated by the site's natural beauty on the banks of the Neckar. The city is crowned by the impressive walls of its castle, dressed in red sandstone. After playing hide-and-seek with the Neckar's meanders, you reach Bad Wimpfen, an adorable fortified town with beautiful half-timbered houses. 

Continue through Baden-Württemberg to Schwäbisch Hall, also known for its winding lanes lined with lovely half-timbered houses.

Overnight in Schwäbisch Hall.

Time for northern Bavaria! 

The beginning of the track gives pride of place to the famous "Romantic Road", one of Germany's most popular routes, known for its river valleys bordered by green hills. 

You reach Dinkelsbühl, a postcard-perfect town with medieval walls, colorful mansions and magnificent half-timbering. Next is Nördlingen, another small fortified medieval town. 

You cross the Danube plain (it hides well), heralding the arrival in Regensburg. 

Spared from WWII destruction, the historic center feels straight out of the 12th century, when Regensburg was a renowned river trade port. It is listed as UNESCO World Heritage. 

Overnight in Regensburg.

Enjoy Regensburg and its superb cathedral before getting back on your motorcycle to reach Landshut on the banks of the Isar. 

The former capital of Lower Bavaria has an incredibly well-preserved medieval center, with arcades from the 15th and 16th centuries...

Head to Burghausen, whose upper town, perched on an impressive rocky spur, faces Austria across the Salzach. The Bavarian dukes made it the most important fortress in Germany!

First incursion into Austria to reach Salzburg, Mozart's hometown. It's the most Italian of Austrian cities—an elegant and refined gem. 

Overnight in Salzburg.

Note: for KTM riders, possible detour to Mattighofen, the brand's HQ, for a visit to the "KTM Motohall".

If you didn't have time the day before, take the morning to visit Salzburg!

First mountain roads, with magnificent scenery around Mondsee and Wolfgangsee lakes, in the beautiful Salzkammergut region. 

Off for a great climb on the narrow Postalm panoramic road (toll). The descent on the south side through the forest is fantastic, before reaching Oberau. This is the gateway to the Rossfeld panoramic road (toll), which runs 17 km along the ridges facing Austria, with superb views over the Dachstein massif and its glaciers.

Pass by the famous "Eagle's Nest", Hitler's summer residence. The site is now a museum. 

Arrival in the valley at Berchtesgaden, a lovely town nestled in a national park of preserved nature. 

Overnight in Berchtesgaden.

No luggage to pack/unpack today! 

A great day to enjoy the many hairpins along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. 

Head for the charming lakeside resort of Zell am See (well known to ski fans), before entering the Hohe Tauern National Park.

The Grossglockner road (toll) is busy, but it's pure motorcycling bliss. You'll ride it both ways! 

Thrills guaranteed on the steep hairpins of the paved section leading to the Edelweissspitze viewpoint! 

Return to Berchtesgaden via Mühlbach and the Hochkönig, on a beautiful mountain route through forests.

Overnight in Berchtesgaden.

You start your journey on the beautiful German Alpine Road, whose route crosses the Austria border several times. On the menu: lakes, forests, rivers and ridges.

You cross the Chiemgau mountains, then the Sudefeld Pass, before taking a beautiful (and isolated) small road in the Isar valley (toll), following the river and offering nice views. Optional small detour to see the Obernach waterfalls and Walchensee lake.

Mittenwald is a charming town, known for its houses with traditional painted facades. 

Arrival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, famous for its ski-jump ramp. 10 km away is Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze (2,962 m), reached by a rack railway then a small funicular.

Overnight in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Ride toward the Ammergau valley and its villages with onion-domed steeples. Among them: Oberau and Ettal, home to a large Benedictine monastery (also with a distillery and a brewery).

Cross the Ettal forest, then reach the shores of beautiful Plansee lake, on the Austrian side. 

The track goes up to the medieval town of Füssen, in Bavaria. Detour to admire the view of Neuschwanstein Castle, built by Louis II of Bavaria, perched on a 200 m high rocky spur. It inspired Disney for Sleeping Beauty's castle. A bit further, we recommend visiting the gardens of Linderhof Palace, set in a magnificent landscape. 

The route leapfrogs the border. You cross Joch Pass (2,207 m) and Riedberg Pass (1,407 m), the high point of a magnificent road overlooking Lake Constance, with incredible views! Arrival in Lindau, on Lake Constance (or Bodensee), a small island-town with a postcard old town.

Overnight in Lindau (or nearby).

After the surprising pile-dwelling museum in Unteruhldingen, a reconstruction of a Neolithic lakeside village, you reach Meersburg, a pretty medieval town overlooking the lake (crowded), surrounded by vineyards. 

Back into Baden-Württemberg and head for the Black Forest, Germany's number-one tourist destination.

You ride a good portion of the hairpins along the famous "Ridge Road", through conifers and spruces. 

Viewpoints follow one after another. Break in the lovely towns of Schiltach and Gengenbach, with beautiful half-timbered houses.

The final part favors small roads through the vineyards of the Baden region, in the Ortenau.

Arrival in Baden-Baden, with its palaces and luxurious villas.

Overnight in Baden-Baden (or nearby in the vineyards).

A final stage to reach Luxembourg (or any other destination, depending on your departure point).

The route includes lovely roads in the northern Vosges, around the Col du Donon.

Itinerary changes on request
Possibility to adapt the itinerary and/or duration depending on your departure/return location (ask us)