Why this ride
From Butzbach it runs 337 km to Butzbach; allow about 4 h 41 of riding. On the way it passes Watchtower WP 3/4*, Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 and back through Watchtower WP 3/4*.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the and Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 337 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 4 h 41
- 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. Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the
Near Butzbach the Wetterau starts to break against the Taunus, and the Roman frontier passes through that transition with a long series of numbered watchtowers, in this case 4/20 to 4/36. It is a longer run than most, and it reflects how carefully the Romans watched this side of the line, where the open plain makes a natural highway for anyone coming from the north. The Upper German-Raetian Limes, listed by UNESCO in 2005, crosses farmland here, and in places the old rampart survives as a low bank in a meadow edge or a stretch of forest.
Read the complete Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the is where the day begins. Next is Watchtower WP 3/4*.
2. 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
Watchtower WP 3/4* comes up about 88 km into the recorded legs. Next is Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59.
3. 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
about 169 km into the recorded legs you reach Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59. Next is back through Watchtower WP 3/4*.
4. back through Watchtower WP 3/4*
Return visit. Read the place description above.
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
back through Watchtower WP 3/4*, late in the day. Next is Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the.
5. Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the 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 4/20 to 4/36 including the. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the to Watchtower WP 3/4*
Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the → Watchtower WP 3/4* is 88 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Watchtower WP 3/4* to Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59
Watchtower WP 3/4* → Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 is 81 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 to back through Watchtower WP 3/4*
Watchtowers WP 1/58 to 1/59 → back through Watchtower WP 3/4* is 78 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Watchtower WP 3/4* to Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the
back through Watchtower WP 3/4* → Watchtowers WP 4/20 to 4/36 including the is 89 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.