Fort site and civil settlement of Seligens and Watchtower WP 1/87

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Fort site and civil settlement of Seligens

   Seligenstadt is one of those Main valley towns where every era has left something on the table. The Romans came first: here the frontier of the Upper German-Raetian Limes ran along the river itself, and a fort with a civilian settlement around it guarded the Main crossing. The fort site lies under the old town, so you are walking over it rather than looking at it, but the logic of the place is obvious when you stand by the water. The river was the border, the road and the supply line all at once.

   Read the complete Fort site and civil settlement of Seligens write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Fort site and civil settlement of Seligens is where the day begins. Next is Watchtowers WP 3/41 to 3/44.

2. 2. Watchtowers WP 3/41 to 3/44

   The Taunus is the low, forested mountain range that closes in the north of the Frankfurt basin, and the Romans put their frontier along and over it. Here, near Glashütten, the line passes through high woodland at roughly four hundred metres above sea level, in an area that is cold and often foggy in winter. Towers 3/41 to 3/44 belong to the third section of the Upper German-Raetian Limes, the one that UNESCO recognised in 2005 together with the rest of the frontier. The Romans cleared a swathe through the forest, set up a palisade, and watched the open ground to the north, where tribes of the Chatti lived. The name Glashütten itself recalls glassmaking, once common in these forests because wood, sand and potash were all to hand.

   Read the complete Watchtowers WP 3/41 to 3/44 write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Watchtowers WP 3/41 to 3/44 comes up about 61 km into the recorded legs. Next is Watchtower WP 1/87.

3. 3. Watchtower WP 1/87

   The Limes crosses the Lahn at Bad Ems, and this stretch of the Rhineland-Palatinate hills is where the Roman frontier meets one of Germany's prettiest river valleys. The Lahn runs through a deep, wooded gorge here, with vineyards and steep slopes, and old spa towns along the banks. Dausenau is a small medieval town of half-timbered houses that still has its town wall, and a church tower that leans, a result of an unstable foundation. Arzbach lies on the high ground to the north, known for pottery.

   Read the complete Watchtower WP 1/87 write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   about 126 km into the recorded legs you reach Watchtower WP 1/87. Next is back through Watchtowers WP 3/41 to 3/44.

4. 4. back through Watchtowers WP 3/41 to 3/44

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Watchtowers WP 3/41 to 3/44 write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   back through Watchtowers WP 3/41 to 3/44, late in the day. Next is Fort site and civil settlement of Seligens.

5. 5. Fort site and civil settlement of Seligens

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Fort site and civil settlement of Seligens write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back at Fort site and civil settlement of Seligens. That is the ride.