An undulating sea that has a golden glow in the evening sun and seems to stretch as far as the horizon. Below the rape field, the River Tauber winds its way through fields and meadows and the wind rustles softly in the treetops. Otherwise, nothing can be heard except the occasional twittering of a bird.
There are sections on the route where the setting is almost surreally idyllic and civilisation is very far away. The Romantic Road’s 500 kilometre long-distance hiking trail is also know as the ‘Pleasure Trail’ – and the name lives up to expectations, because you really can derive perfect pleasure from this journey on foot. If tiredness sets in, there are places to take a break by rivers and streams, and there’s no tiresome searching for parking spaces in the towns. If it rains, you can simply change your plans spontaneously and have another cappuccino in a café on the historic market square.
The long-distance hiking trail along the Romantic Road was formally opened in 2006 in the Prince Bishops’ Residence in Würzburg. The Romantic Road has changed its route in a number of places since then, and a number of encroachments into nature have changed the landscape, too. In consultation with the regional walking associations, the route has been adapted to accommodate the changes and, at the same time, to considerably enhance its attractiveness. It is signposted throughout and, in some places, the changes that have been made are also indicated.
Experiences of culture and nature blend seamlessly here: after a walk around the town of Tauberbischofsheim, you can continue through the Tauber Valley till you reach Lauda-Königshofen, which is surrounded by gentle hills and vineyards. Schillingsfürst Castle is set within the Franconian Heights (Frankenhöhe) and an impressive view of the Ries geological park (Geopark Ries) awaits you from the top of the Wallerstein rock. Then come the Free Imperial Cities of Donauwörth and Nördlingen, the gardens of Rain, Harburg Castle, Augsburg, city of the Fugger family, and finally the Lech Valley, followed by a dip in the Friedberger Lake, a picnic by the stream in Hohenfurch, and a chance to gaze in wonder in Rottenbuch church.
After Wildsteig and Steingaden, the hills become higher, the pastures and hay meadows more numerous, and the views more and more spectacular. The mountains close in. In Halblech, the Ammergau Alps and twelve lakes tempt you to take a good long break, before continuing past the dream setting of Neuschwanstein Castle and the Alpsee, and finally to Füssen, where the trip ends just as it began: wonderfully.
