The seventeenth stage of a tour through the Alps and Eastern Europe goes from Waal to Moosbronn in the Black Forest. The route is based on a journey that Marc Telkamp set out and drove in 2015.

What a journey you have had. The list of countries visited is not small: Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have been admired and viewed. With so many kilometers of built-up seat flesh, the body can feel tired. Today is such a day that you can actually do something about this!

Not too soon, after leaving Gasthaus zur Post (rp 1) in Waal, you arrive in Bad Wörishofen. First of all, you can pamper your motorcycle with a delicious drink at the OMV gas station (rp 3). Immediately afterwards you can pamper yourself. Bad Wörishofen is best known for a famous resident: Sebastian Kneipp. Sebastian was born here (1821) in a farming family and grew up. It soon became clear that he did not want to become a farmer but a priest, after which he also took this path.

In his early years he contracted tuberculosis and started looking for various methods to treat and cure himself. These experiments made him one of the founders of natural medicine. Kneipp was firmly convinced that a combination of healthy food, healthy living and a healthy mind are the basis for a healthy person. Although some do not consider an ice cold dip bath to contribute to a healthy mind!

Gradually, Kneipp gained more and more name recognition. More and more people from the surrounding area and from far away moved to Bad Wörishofen to be treated by Kneipp. A friend of Kneipp had a business eye and, in collaboration with Kneipp, managed to create a successful brand with a variety of wellness products that still exists today. Today Kneipp still lives on in the city. The museum (rp 4) provides an extensive picture of Kneipp and his methods. In the city you will see opportunities everywhere to follow Kneipp's wellness therapies, consisting of baths and cures. If your tired body needs to be pampered, you've come to the right place.

A cultural stopover can be made almost immediately after Bad Wörishofen: Mindelburg Castle is located along the route. If you are interested, you can turn right after rp 5, onto the narrow road towards the entrance of the castle. You can park near the castle and continue exploring the location on foot. The castle dates back to the 12th century and has been in different hands over the centuries. After the Second World War, it was transferred from private ownership to the government, after which it had function as a hospital.

Today, it has returned to the appearance of the castle in the 17th century and is open to tourists. It is a beauty of a castle, with a 25 meter high watchtower and a 27 meter deep water source. If you have not looked around Bad Wörishofen, you can consider stretching your legs here and enjoy the views from the lookout tower (“Bergfried”).

After this optional outing, the journey continues westward. The roads are simple and therefore a large distance is quickly covered. After about 1.5 to 2 hours driving you will have the opportunity to make a first stop. There are roughly two options. The first and fastest option is to take a break at the bakery or the Gasthof in the village of Ringschnait (rp 11). If you are interested in walking around in a picturesque town today, it is best to choose the second option. This is a break in the town of Biberach an der Riß (rp 12). It is not without reason that the city is part of 3 German tourist panorama streets. The city center exudes a traditional Swabian atmosphere, thanks in part to a number of old and impressive buildings and towers. Of course you will also find plenty of terraces and restaurants in the city center to take a break.

After leaving Biberach, the warm welcome of the Black Forest is getting closer and closer. Nature is becoming increasingly wooded. Before you finally enter the dark forest, you will pass Lichtenstein Castle (rp 15). It looks like a real knight's castle. But appearances can be deceiving: just like Neuschwanstein Castle (the "Disney Castle in the Allgau), this castle was built in the 19th century, at a time when the (fantasy) world of knights' crusades was enjoying renewed popularity. Today it is privately owned. If you want to visit the castle inside, it is best to book a guided tour in advance. From the outside the castle is free to visit. Perhaps just as beautiful as the castle in Neuschwanstein, but definitely less busy. take in the beauty.

With the castle behind you, you now enter Silva Nigra, the Black Forest that the Romans once found almost impenetrable and ominous. With the bike, this area is indeed permeable, even welcoming and absolutely fantastic.

The combination of wonderful steering roads, beautiful nature and welcoming restaurants and terraces make the Black Forest a pleasant place to stay. Your next break is at Gasthof Lamm (rp 19), just after Tübingen. Just get some energy for the last part. And then the - for many well-known - winding roads through the Black Forest begin. The last hour of the ride is therefore wonderful to enjoy the perfect asphalt, beautiful nature and panoramic views.