Why this ride
From Wachtberg it runs 304 km to Wachtberg; allow about 4 h 10 of riding. It goes by way of Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59, Watchtower WP 3/4* and back through Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot and Watchtower WP 3/4*
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 304 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 4 h 10
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
Ordered leg totals agree within rounding. Stop distances are approximate sums of rounded legs. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot
South of Bonn the Kottenforst climbs onto the same ridge that carries the villages of Wachtberg and the town of Meckenheim, and the woods here feel older and quieter than the suburbs around them. Beech and oak stand over a floor of leaf mould, with springs and small streams that gather in damp hollows, and the old hunting rides still run ruler-straight through the trees. The name Villiprot is one of those forest place names that sounds Roman, and the forest does carry Roman traces: the Eifel aqueduct, which brought spring water to Cologne over about ninety-five kilometres, crossed this country, and parts of its line can be followed on walking trails.
Read the complete Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot is where the day begins. Next is Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59.
2. Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59
The Upper German-Raetian Limes began its long march across Germany on the banks of the Rhine at Rheinbrohl, and climbed from there into the hills of the Westerwald. The stretch between Watchtowers 1/58 and 1/59, near Höhr-Grenzhausen, is part of this first section, where the frontier ran through forests and over hills above the Rhine valley. Remains are scarce here, perhaps a mound or a line in the forest floor, but the Limes path follows the route, and information boards explain the history.
Read the complete Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 comes up about 77 km into the recorded legs. Next is Watchtower WP 3/4*.
3. Watchtower WP 3/4*
In the western Taunus, between Bad Schwalbach and Taunusstein, the forest is thick and the hills roll gently, and the Upper German Limes runs along the ridge here as a still visible bank and ditch. The site labelled Watchtower WP 3/4 is one of the many small posts along this section, and a few kilometres to the east, near Taunusstein-Orlen, the fort of Zugmantel guarded a crossing of the frontier on an old trade route into Germanic territory. These remains are part of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage site, and a walk along the Limes trail through the forest here is peaceful and atmospheric.
Read the complete Watchtower WP 3/4* write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
about 155 km into the recorded legs you reach Watchtower WP 3/4*. Next is back through Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59.
4. back through Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 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 1/58 to 1/59, late in the day. Next is Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot.
5. Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot to Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59
Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot → Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 is 77 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 to Watchtower WP 3/4*
Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 → Watchtower WP 3/4* is 78 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Watchtower WP 3/4* to back through Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59
Watchtower WP 3/4* → back through Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 is 72 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 to Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot
back through Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 → Kottenforst Süd | Villiprot is 76 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.