Watchtowers WP 3/41 to 3/44 and Fortlet Wingertsberg

Scenic road chapters

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. 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 is where the day begins. Next is Fort site and civil settlement of Seligens.

2. 2. 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 comes up about 63 km into the recorded legs. Next is Fortlet Wingertsberg.

3. 3. Fortlet Wingertsberg

   Wingertsberg is a low hill on the western edge of the Vogelsberg, near the small town of Hungen in Hesse, and the Roman fortlet that stood here was one of a series of small outposts along the Wetterau Limes. A fortlet held perhaps a few dozen men, enough to watch the line and signal to the main forts. Little survives above ground, so the interest lies mostly in knowing that the frontier ran here, across fields that are now ploughed in neat rows and crossed by farm tracks and cycle paths.

   Read the complete Fortlet Wingertsberg write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

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

   Planning note

   about 130 km into the recorded legs you reach Fortlet Wingertsberg. Next is back through Fort site and civil settlement of Seligens.

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

5. 5. 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 at Watchtowers WP 3/41 to 3/44. That is the ride.