The sixteenth stage of a tour through Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina leads from Madlerlehen via the Roßfeld Panoramastraße, the Kehlsteinhaus and several beautiful lakes to Waal. The routes have been plotted and driven in 2015 by Marc Telkamp. This ride deviates from the original route. This gives you more time to visit sights and the Roßfeld Panoramastraße in the Berchtesgadener Alps has been added.

To get straight to the point: when you leave the hotel, turn directly onto the Roßfeld Panoramastraße (rp 3). You will be one of the first to arrive at the toll gate of the Panorama Street, after which you will ride the elegant and scenic road in all solitude and climb to an altitude of 1570m.

In the years between WWI and WWII, it was decided to build an alpine highway to open up the areas in the Berchtesgadener Alps, especially the stretch from Lindau on Lake Constance to Schönau on Königssee. At that time, it was not yet possible to construct the panoramic Roßfeldstraat. It was not until 1937, when the Alpine Motorway (Deutsche Alpenstrasse) had already taken shape, that it was decided to build the Panorama Street. At the time that WWII broke out, only a piece of about 800m had not yet been completed far enough, so that the road could not be officially opened. The Panorama Street was not fully completed until after WWII and officially opened in 1955.

Today, the Panorama Street is well attended. As a motorcyclist you will mainly enjoy the many views here. Along the way there are also plenty of opportunities to stop and take pictures of the magnificent views of the Salzach Valley, the Salzburg Alps, the city of Salzburg itself, the Dachsteiner Alps, the “Totes Gebirge” (dead mountains) and the infamous Kehlstein- mountain. In other words: your eyes will be short on the way! Don't forget to pay attention to the road every now and then. The Panorama Street also offers a modest number of wonderful (hairpin) turns.

Towards the end of the Panorama Street you have the chance to visit a special place with a charged history: the Kehlsteinhaus (rp 4). In the years just before WWII, the construction of the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest) was completed, under the direction of Albert Speer. The NSDAP was keen to build the house on this near-impossible site, in order to show the people their unlimited power. The house is built on a mountain with sometimes impossibly steep slopes. The road to it was so complex that the inventor of the German Autobahn had to be hired to make the road possible. The top could not be reached by road, so the last 124m up was covered by a gold-plated lift.

In the years that followed, the house was widely visited and used by members of the NSDAP as well as by Eva Braun (Hitler's partner) and her family. Hitler himself only visited the house a few times.

After WWII the function of the building was changed. From status symbol only accessible to the elite, it was converted into a restaurant accessible to all. All symbols reminiscent of the Nazi dictatorship were removed. Nowadays you can look around the building and have something to eat and / or drink in the restaurant. If you want to learn more about the history, you can visit the Obersalzberg documentation center. Don't forget to walk around the top of the mountain despite the loaded place. From here you have a magnificent view of the environment around you. The ride with the bus over the narrow mountain road will also leave a lasting impression on you.

After this loaded center of gravity, the rest of your ride is mainly characterized by driving. Before you take in a bit of Austria, it is wonderful to swing through the landscape of the Berchtesgadener Alps. If you have the time and desire, you can drive to the end of the Deutsche Alpenstrasse: Schönau at the Königssee. At rp5 it is best to deviate from the route at the roundabout and follow the signage to the lake. A ride along the Hintersee (rp 8), a relatively small and unknown lake, is included along the route. Unbelievable to realize that this lake was created after a good amount of rocks rumbled down the mountain and crashed here about 4000 years ago. This gross violence has resulted in a picturesque and hidden tourist attraction.

Once back on the main road, some simple yet pleasant steps are on the menu. The Schwarzbachwacht turns into the Kniepass and then into the Paß Strub. Hardly noticeable you pass the "pass heights" each time. Visible are the crossing over the Saalach river (rp 11) (better known to the Dutch as a ski village of the same name, through which this river also flows) and your journey past Castle Oberrein (rp 12). Dating back to the 14th century, this castle offers a mighty sight from the road and has been in the hands of the state since the 20th century and is now a stately place where children with disabilities are guided on their way to a job.

On the Kniepass (rp 13) and Paß Strub (rp 14), if you drive a bit slower, you will also be able to recognize remnants of old fortresses in the distance. The location and size of the passes made them excellent places to control through traffic and to take the necessary toll. Fortunately, tolls are no longer required on these sections of the road, so you can continue your way through Austria without any worries.

It is wonderful to enjoy one last time in the Austrian Alps. At Restaurant Brandauerhof (rp 16) you can take a break, enjoy the view, have a delicious lunch and - perhaps before lunch - go down a mountain in the local toboggan run next to the restaurant.

At rp 17 you cross the Inn river and you immediately say goodbye to Austria. For part of its 518km length, this river acts as a border between Germany and Austria. It has its source in Engadine (Switzerland) and reconnects with the Danube at Passau (Germany).

After saying goodbye to Austria, you have the option to visit Burgruine Auerburg. After rp 18 turn left (instead of following the route) and after about 200m on the left there are signs signposted that mark the ruin. Not much remains of the old fortress, but it offers a great opportunity to take a break and stretch your legs and admire the llamas that graze around here.

After leaving Oberauerburg the road winds westward towards the Tatzelwurm waterfalls (rp 19). Here you can also take an optional break and stretch your legs. The Tatzelwurm consists of 2 waterfalls, which are hidden deep in the gorge. With a walk of 40 minutes you are home and away. During the walk, pay attention: the Tatzelwurm is a mythical animal that is regularly spotted here. But perhaps the waterfalls owe their name to a medieval motorcyclist: the road in this area looks like a Tatzelwurm on the map. The road continues long and winding. In short, great to steer and enjoy the journey.

On this stretch you will also pass a number of lakes. The Schliersee (rp 21), the Tegernsee (rp 22) and the Zellsee (rp 27). The first 2 lakes are natural lakes and popular attractions for swimming and sailing. The Zellsee, on the other hand, is artificial in nature. The lake was created in 1414 after Bishop Höhenkirchen dammed the Rott River to increase fishing for his beloved lakeside monastery. Today the lake is privately owned and a 161 acre protected bird sanctuary. Just before you drive down the lake, you can stop at Landgasthof Schöntag (rp 26). Even though it is only a 45-minute drive to the end point in Waal (Gasthaus zur Post), you can still enjoy the gently sloping roads.

The route receives 4 stars. It is wonderful to steer in this region. The mountain passes fly under your wheels, but usually without much spectacle. This lack of spectacle is more than compensated by the ease with which you drive through the beautiful undulating landscape. Along the way you can stretch your legs regularly and visit a number of special places, such as the views of the Roßfeld Panoramastraße, the Kehlsteinhaus and the Tatzelwurm waterfalls.