West of Augsburg, the land rises into a quiet country of wooded hills and valleys, protected as the Augsburg Western Forests nature park. Dinkelscherben is a small market town in the valley of the Zusam, with a church, a few shops and inns, and it makes a peaceful stop on a ride through the Swabian countryside, far from the busy roads around the city.
The forests here are a mix of spruce, beech and oak, with clearings, meadows and small streams. The valleys are green and gentle, with villages, farms and chapels, and the hills offer views over the surrounding countryside. The region has a long history of farming, and the villages have retained their traditional character, with half-timbered houses and onion-domed churches. Augsburg itself, a short ride east, is one of the oldest cities in Germany, founded by the Romans, and home to the Fuggerei, the oldest social housing complex in the world still in use.
On the bike, things are pleasant. The roads wind through the forests and valleys, with gentle curves, good surfaces and light traffic. They are a fine warm-up for the mountain roads to come, and the landscape is varied and green. Watch for agricultural vehicles, cyclists and wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk.
Dinkelscherben has fuel, shops and inns, so it makes an easy pause. A Swabian lunch, perhaps Käsespätzle or Maultaschen, is a hearty choice. The Ammergau and the Plansee lie to the south, with the Alps rising ever higher as you approach.