This approach route takes you from central Limburg in Belgium to the Black Forest in Germany. It can also be used as an access route to Austria, Italy or Switzerland, if necessary even the Vosges if you want to combine it with the Black Forest.

It is an approach route, which means that it does contain some motorway, but the choice of these motorways was made very deliberately about Verviers. This highway is generally very quiet, making the use of this route highly recommended for newbies. However, pay attention to the marked pause points and use them to monitor the level of fatigue of the beginners. But the experts don't have to worry either. Because of the little traffic you will make good progress and you will quickly be in Germany where you can go 'loose' on the permitted sections. In any case, keep it safe so that you can certainly take the last part, from Baden Baden to Leuterbad.

Also mention that this is route 1 from the "Alps-Dolomite 2020" route collection. This route collection takes you from Belgium to the Austrian and Italian Alps and Dolomites and back again in 9 days.

The route departs from the Total petrol station on the E313 in Tessenderlo. Excellent meeting place because all facilities are provided and it is also already on the highway that we will be using.

You quickly reach Liège and Verviers, after which you reach the German border along the High Fens, Malmédy and St. Vith.
Nice to know is that the small river 'Our' actually forms the border between Belgium and Germany and almost entirely the German-Luxembourg border. Swim and you are over because the Our is actually not that big. At least not when the weather is nice. When it rains downpours, the Our can swell dangerously hard. That is why the bridge over which you enter Germany is located fairly high.

Once in Germany, a pleasant and fun highway awaits you. Sufficiently 'winding' and there are parts where you can go 'loose'. However, at route point 6 you leave the motorway, after which a small break is planned just before Pirmasens.

After this break, regional roads will be followed that will take you to France via rp 10. There a short stretch of highway is taken to just before Roppenheim, where the highway is left again in the direction of the German border. This is formed by the majestic Rhine. The Rhine and lock complex that you drive over (rp11) is impressive to say the least. Also pay attention to the road… several drivers have their eyes out here and sometimes lose attention for the passing motorcyclist.

Once the Rhine (and the accompanying crowds) has passed, another pause point is inserted at RP 12. You are free to use it or not, but it also allows you to refuse.
Perhaps it is still advisable to stop here and to consult with yourself and / or colleagues, because you will have to make a decision here ... Are you going to continue to follow the predetermined route or are you going to use the opportunity to famous Schwardwaldhochstrasse - the infamous '500' - to take at rp 13?

We leave the choice up to you, but personally we prefer the predetermined route.
The 500 is fun to do and definitely something that should be on your bucket list as a motorcyclist. To be fair, the '500' is a beautiful road with beautiful asphalt that also meanders wonderfully through the tops of the Schwarzwald treetops. Definitely a winner. But…, the Strasse is overcrowded, and certainly on a sunny day… There are many (and sometimes incomprehensible) speed limits in force and “Die Polizei” looks on suspiciously and also with penance. And actually (sorry for the sermon) they are right. Some fellow motorcyclists are so excited by this beautiful asphalt that they assume racing allures with all the consequences ...
But, you must have ridden them once that Schwarzwaldhochstrasse, and then preferably in both directions, so….

However, for this route we prefer to take the parallel road over Forbach. A wonderfully winding road through the Black Forest that is not (yet) very busy, moreover. After Forbach the road also meanders nicely with the Murg, a small river, and so you drive absolutely relaxed in the direction of Freudenstadt & Lauterbad where we are going to stay.

The hotel Gut Lauterbad (rp17) is a nice, cheap hotel where you can park under cover and also has a nice restaurant, specializing in (own) trout and steak. But lovers of other dishes will certainly find something to their liking. A good Wiener Schnitzel simply tastes good (and they are delivered here in German format ...).
The route is and remains an approach route and is intended to cover as many kilometers as possible in the most pleasant way possible. The route certainly succeeds with the (excellent) motorway choices. But just because there is so much motorway in it, the five-star rating is just a bit too high. But much is made up for by the piece after Baden Baden. Super relaxing and pleasant to do after this distant ride that actually brought you 500 kilometers further quite quickly, well and properly.