Limessection between watchtowers WP 1/67 a and Kottenforst Süd | Oben der Krayermaar

Scenic road chapters

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Limessection between watchtowers WP 1/67 a

   There is no spectacle at this section of the Limes, and that is exactly its character. It lies in the hills of the lower Westerwald, between Hillscheid, Höhr-Grenzhausen and little Simmern, about the point where the Roman frontier crossed from the Rhine side towards the Lahn. The Romans marked it with watchtowers, numbered by archaeologists in a long sequence from the Rhine eastwards, and this is watchtower position 1/67 on the first section of the frontier. Between them ran a palisade and a ditch. Today you meet it as a faint line in the woods, a bump in a field, a reconstruction here and there, and a sign with a map.

   Read the complete Limessection between watchtowers WP 1/67 a write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

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

   Planning note

   Limessection between watchtowers WP 1/67 a is where the day begins. Next is Watchtowers WP 1/24 to 1/26.

2. 2. Watchtowers WP 1/24 to 1/26

   The Wied is a small river with a big job, because it marks the point where the Romans' Rhine frontier turned inland. A short ride from the water, between Melsbach and Neuwied, stands a cluster of watchtowers numbered 1/24 to 1/26, with a small fortlet called Lochmühle nearby. The towers belong to the Upper Germanic Limes, which was listed as part of the Roman Frontiers World Heritage Site in 2005, and these sit near its southern start by the Rhine.

   Read the complete Watchtowers WP 1/24 to 1/26 write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

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

   Planning note

   Watchtowers WP 1/24 to 1/26 comes up about 30 km into the recorded legs. Next is Remagen.

3. 3. Remagen

   On 7 March 1945, soldiers of the US 9th Armored Division reached Remagen and found the Ludendorff railway bridge across the Rhine still standing, despite German attempts to blow it. They rushed across, and for the first time the Allies had a foothold on the far bank of the great river. Ten days later the damaged bridge collapsed, but by then pontoons had been built and the war in the west had entered its last chapter. What remains today are the black stone towers on both banks, and those on the Remagen side house a small peace museum telling the story with honesty and without glorification.

   Read the complete Remagen write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

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

   Planning note

   about 58 km into the recorded legs you reach Remagen. Next is Kottenforst Süd | Oben der Krayermaar.

4. 4. Kottenforst Süd | Oben der Krayermaar

   The southern Kottenforst is the Bonn locals' own backyard, and on a fine Sunday it feels like it. Tracks and rides cross the woodland in all directions, and the people on them are walkers, joggers, riders and families on bicycles rather than motorbikes. The name on the label, with its mention of a pond-like hollow called Maar, hints at the wet, clay-lined depressions that dot this plateau and hold water after rain. Underneath lie old Roman remains too, including part of the Eifel aqueduct that carried water toward Cologne, though you will see it only if you know where to look.

   Read the complete Kottenforst Süd | Oben der Krayermaar write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

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

   Planning note

   Kottenforst Süd | Oben der Krayermaar, about halfway. Next is back through Remagen.

5. 5. back through Remagen

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Remagen write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

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

   Planning note

   back through Remagen sits at 102 km, about halfway. Next is back through Watchtowers WP 1/24 to 1/26.

6. 6. back through Watchtowers WP 1/24 to 1/26

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Watchtowers WP 1/24 to 1/26 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 1/24 to 1/26 comes up about 155 km into the recorded legs. Next is Limessection between watchtowers WP 1/67 a.

7. 7. Limessection between watchtowers WP 1/67 a

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Limessection between watchtowers WP 1/67 a write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

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

   Planning note

   Limessection between watchtowers WP 1/67 a closes the day.