There is no better way to get to know a landscape than on foot. The Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes, which marked the border of the Roman Empire between the rivers Rhine and Danube over a length of 550 km, merged with the landscape to form a single entity. From the end of the 1st century AD until the second half of the 3rd century, it separated the Roman provinces of Upper Germania and Raetia from the Germanic tribes for about 150 years. Surveillance and barrier installations (towers, palisades, ditches, ramparts, walls) formed an artificial border with the troop accommodation (forts), the course of which was essentially determined by the landscape. Along this gigantic borderline of antiquity, you will experience one of the largest cultural hiking trails in Europe in the middle of Germany.
If you want to get to know and understand the Limes and its remains, you have to go hiking. Together with exercise in the fresh air, there is hardly anything more relaxing. The well-marked hiking trail already exists: the Limes Hiking Trail, which runs through Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria. It was established at a time when no one had any idea that the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes would one day become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, long before the German Limes-Road and the German Limes Cycle Route were designated.
Start/Finish
Car Park Erlebnismuseum RömerWelt
Museum
Erlebnismuseum RömerWelt, Arienheller 1, 56598 Rheinbrohl
Refreshment stops
Gasthaus Bauernstübchen, Arienheller 17, 56598 Rheinbrohl
Café in der RömerWelt, Arienheller 1, 56598 Rheinbrohl
Directions
The circular hiking trail "RömerWeltWeg" invites you to explore the Limes in Rheinbrohl. It leads from the adventure museum to original remains or reconstructions of the Roman occupation along the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes. The wide views and vistas along the route are equally impressive!
The tour starts at the RömerWelt car park, which is already the first highlight of the route. Here you can gather information about the Limes playfully with all your senses.
With an exhibition on life and everyday life at the Limes and an attractive outdoor area, a visit is a good idea before or after a hike.
After about 600 m in an easterly direction, you come to a replica of a palisade wall (1) with an information board. This is the entrance to the forest.
The trail continues eastwards for about 2.5 km on the marked Westerwaldsteig trail to the forest school, initially climbing quite steeply in a hollow path for 1.5 km. On the way there, after about 2 km, you will discover a rampart and ditch (2) - the original course of the Limes - to the right of the trail, which is clearly visible for about 200 metres. A board informs hikers about the construction and function of the rampart-ditch system.
The forest school was built opposite excavation site 1/8 and is about halfway along the circular route. Staged tower foundations of watchtower 1/8 as well as a Limes passage with palisades, rampart & ditch can be seen here (3). Furthermore, the Limes nature trail offers the opportunity to explore the development of the Limes from its beginnings to its end on 11 information panels.
From the forest school, you have the option of leaving the trail and taking a shortcut in a southern direction (red dotted line). After about 850 m, you rejoin the circular trail and then head west to Hartmannshof - the highest point of the hike at 261 m above sea level.
If you choose the regular route, you continue eastwards at the forest school to discover the Roman tower 1/9 (4) after about 300 m. This wooden tower replica is accessible and offers a magnificent view. The trail continues east for another 600 m and then turns right south for 100 m before heading west from the car park at the "Wilhelmsruh" hunting lodge.
After about 850 m, the route of the circular trail turns sharply left and leads the hiker to the Hartmannshof farm after 550 m.
The next 2.7 km to the starting point - with wonderful views of the Rhine valley - are a steady descent (lowest point 74 m above sea level, highest point 261 m above sea level). Here, a group of benches at the peace cross (5) invite you to take a last rest until you reach the RömerWelt in Rheinbrohl again after about 2.5 km.
Start/Finish
Limes Tower, L310, 56204 Hillscheid
Museum
Local History Museum Hillscheid, Bahnhofstraße 1, 56204 Hillscheid
Visit by appointment
Refreshment stops
Pizzeria Lazio, Bahnhofstraße 14, 56204 Hillscheid
Mühlenstübl at Hotel Hüttenmühle, (is not directly on the hiking route), Hüttenmühle 1 56204 Hillscheid
Directions
The circular hiking trail Limes Path Hillscheid offers a lot of information as well as a reconstructed Limes tower and a small Limes fort.
The trail starts on the Höhr-Grenzhausen - Hillscheid road (L310) at the entrance to Hillscheid with the first highlight of the route - the Limes tower WP 1/68 (1). The watchtower was rebuilt in 1994 according to the latest archaeological findings. The interior of the tower is a museum and houses the permanent exhibition "From Rome to the Rhine".
In the immediate vicinity of the Limes Tower is a "Roman kitchen garden" (Hortus Rusticus), which illustrates how many of the useful plants native to Central Europe today were introduced to us by the Romans. Hikers can also discover a "Roman bee house" (Melarium) and a sundial.
The trail continues along the country road, and after about 350 m you should change to the left side of the road at the bear roundabout (2). After another 300 m or so on the Höhrer Straße, the trail turns left into the street "In den Buchen" and, after a small climb and a few metres, turns left again towards the north onto the footpath and cycle path. Here the path runs through the forest for approx. 300 m before you reach the entrance gate to the Limes Trail (3).
The Limes was destroyed here by a clay pit. An information board informs hikers about the clay mining. After about 100 m in an easterly direction, the former clay pit ends.
After crossing the path and a small bridge, you can see the Limes ditch on the left, as it has been preserved after about 2000 years.
Continue along the established path through the high forest until, after about 180 m, you arrive in a spruce forest. Before crossing the forest path, you will find a freshwater quartzite, half protruding from the forest floor, which was searched for in this area with probes at the beginning of the 20th century, excavated, crushed, ground and used as an additive for fireclay bricks. Further information can be found on the information board there.
The trail continues through the next intersection before turning left at the road after about 260 m in a northern direction and a few metres later to the right in an eastern direction.
The path continues through the forest and after about 350 m turns right and after another 80 m directly left again. At this short stretch, the Hillscheid fire station is on the left. About 210 m further on, the trail turns right and after about 300 m the hiker reaches the next and biggest highlight of the trail - the small Limes fort (4). The significance of the fort is described on an information board. A section of the Limes fortification with palisade, ditch and rampart as well as the foundation walls of tower WP 1/71 have been reconstructed at the original sites. In the outer area of the fort there is a watering place modelled on a "Roman well".
After a short rest, continue on the Limes hiking trail in a western direction and after 550 m turn left. The trail now heads south for 130 m before turning right into the forest. After about 220 m in a western direction, the trail turns left and leads through the forest for another 400 m until it turns left again.
Now follow the track for about 100 m in a southern direction and keep to the right at the next junction until you reach the entrance to the forest again. From there, you walk back along the same route via the street "In den Buchen" and the "Höhrer-Straße" until you finally arrive back at the Limes Tower.
On this circular trail, it is possible to change to the Hillscheid Limes Trail from the small Limes fort (4). This is about 1 km longer and leads hikers through the settlement of Hillscheid past some interesting sights. From the road "In den Buchen", you walk back to the starting point on the Hillscheid Limes Path circular trail.
Start/Finish
Car Park Augstblickhütte, 56337 Arzbach
Museum
-
Refreshment stops
Restaurant Wiesengrund, Hauptstraße 11, 56337 Arzbach
Restaurant Glücksgefühl, Am Schwimmbad, 56337 Arzbach
Directions
In the footsteps of the Romans - this promise is kept step by step on the circular hiking trail "Römerspuren" (Roman Traces). The tour offers many interesting things for hikers and leads in the footsteps of the Romans through a magnificent landscape.
The tour starts at the car park of the Augstblick hut about 1km from Arzbach in the direction of Kemmenau. From here, after a few metres, the trail heads in a north-easterly direction.
Right at the beginning of the trail, you have the opportunity to leave it for a detour to the accessible Stefansturm (1). The small diversions rewards hikers with a wonderful panoramic view of the former Roman Empire from the top of the 423-metre-high basalt cone. For this small diversions, you have to turn right after about 100 m and follow the signs to the Stefansturm. After another 170 m, the route leads eastwards on the left until you reach the tower after 300 m uphill.
Back to the circular route, the route leads along the same path as the ascent already covered.
The trail continues north and after a few metres makes a bend towards the east. After about 450 m on the trail, you pass Limes palisades (2) before reaching the "Three Crosses" monument (3) after a good 1 km. Within sight of the "Three Crosses", the trail turns half-left.
The trail now leads hikers for 1 km through a beautiful forest landscape before it turns sharply to the right towards the west and after another 500 m to the north. After another 400 m, the trail turns west again. The Oberdörfer Bach stream is crossed after 100 m and you follow the track for about 1.4 km until you reach Arzbach.
Continue along the forest road for about 400 m and then turn straight onto the road "Am Rathaus". After reaching the main road, follow it to the left for about 100 metres. In the turn-off area you can see the historic town hall (4).
At the next but one turn, the path turns left onto Kirchstraße and leads for approx. 550 m through the village past the parish church and the cemetery. At the next sharp right turn, leave the road to the left onto a path under the cemetery. Now follow the path for 250 m before turning half-left in a south-easterly direction. Follow this path for about 150 m and then turn left. Cross another crossroads and you will reach Kemmenauer Straße. Here you can discover the next highlight of the route - a Roman spring (5) which once supplied the Arzbach Roman fort with fresh water. At Kemmenauer Straße, the trail turns left for a few metres before turning right and heading up into the forest. After about 140 metres, turn left onto a path and rejoin the Kemmenauer Straße. After a few metres on the road, we turn left up a path behind a turnpike. After about 200 m we are back at the starting point.
Start/Finish
Church at Nicolaus-August-Otto-Straße, Holzhausen an der Haide
Museum
Nicolaus-August-Otto Museum at the birth house of the inventor
Nikolaus-August-Otto-Straße 1
56357 Holzhausen an der Haide
Refreshment Stops
Restaurant Römerkastell, Bäderstraße 20, 56357 Holzhausen an der Haide
Bakery Scholl, Bäderstraße 8, 56357 Holzhausen an der Haide
Directions
The circular hiking trail from Holzhausen an der Haide to Fort Holzhausen passes a number of Roman relics and invites you to a beautiful hike on forest paths and trails.
The tour starts at the church in the Nicolaus-August-Otto-Straße in Holzhausen an der Haide. From there, the route runs south along Langgasse and then turns left onto Ringstraße. At the next intersection, go straight ahead onto the road named "Auf dem Gleichen". The route continues along this road for about 700 m until you turn right onto a dirt road that leads through meadows and fields to the edge of the forest. After about 300 m, follow the path at the fork to the right in an easterly direction. The trail now leads slightly uphill through the forest and after another 1.3 km turns sharply right onto the Limes hiking trail.
On the right, the trail now reaches a former Roman tower 2/34 (1) - the first relic from Roman times - which is now only visible as a hill.
The route continues eastwards for about 1 km until it reaches the Holzhausen fort (2). The ruins of the fort are still well preserved and can be visited in daylight. The fort is one of the smallest cohort forts on the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes. Continue on the Limes hiking trail for about 800 m, passing another Limes watchtower 2/35 (3) on the right. At the second junction, turn right and walk south for about 2 km, then turn right again at the next large junction, heading west. After crossing the B260 main road, turn right at the next fork and walk through the forest for about 1.7 km until you reach the small village of Grebenroth. Via the Sauerbrunnenweg road, you reach the village road on which you cross the village of Grebenroth and after another 500 m you reach the next small village of Martenroth.
Cross the village on the Rusterbachstraße and then pass a short stretch of forest, after which you turn left towards Holzhausen on an asphalt road. The route crosses the B 274 road and continues along the B260 for a short distance until you turn right into Langgasse in Holzhausen. This now leads hikers about 650 m back to the starting point.
Start/Finish
Car Park of Hofgut Georgenthal, Georgenthal 1, 65329 Hohenstein
Museum
Limes Museum Hofgut Georgenthal, Georgenthal 1, 65329 Hohenstein
Refreshment Stops
Restaurant Hofgut Georgenthal, Georgenthal 1, 65329 Hohenstein
Directions
The 5 km long Limes circular trail invites you to hike through a scenic area. The trail leads past two tower sites and a visible section of the Limes about 400 m long. The reconstruction of part of the palisades is also impressive.
The tour starts at the car park of the Georgenthal estate and leads in an easterly direction for about 180 m until you reach the road L3032. Here you cross the road and follow the path for another 750 metres. On this section of the trail, you will pass an information board on the right that informs hikers about the significance and function of the Limes.
After the 750 m in an easterly direction, turn right in a southerly direction and follow the trail for about 450 m. At the crossroads, turn right again and you will see a mound of rubble from a former stone tower (Wp. 3/10) (1) on your right. An information board explains the function of the watchtowers in Roman times.
After about 270 m in a westerly direction, you pass the next information board on the subject of "Barrier installations: remains of ditch and rampart". If you turn right here along the route, you will reach the original course of the Limes after a good 200 m, which can be clearly seen from a reconstructed palisade wall (2).
Back on the route, the path leads westwards for about 1.2 km, crossing the road L3032 again and then following the Eisenstrße. On this section of the trail, two more information boards inform hikers about the protection and expansion of Roman power and the land beyond the Limes.
The path continues to the right into the forest and after about 400 m to the next site of a former watchtower (Wp. 3/8). Here an information board provides information on the archaeological methods used to search for a watchtower.
Continue northwards and enjoy the beautiful landscape at the edge of the forest. Cross the road L3373 and turn right after about 1 km to reach the starting point of the Limes circular trail again after about 800 m.
Start/Finish
Car Park at Festgelände Idstein, L3272, 65510 Idstein
Museum
Stadtmuseum Idstein, König-Adolf-Platz 7, 65510 Idstein
(not directly on the designated hiking route)
Limes Tower Idstein-Dasbach, An der Struth 44, 65510 Idstein
(not directly on the designated hiking route)
Refreshment Stops
Gasthaus zum Taunus, Alteburger Str. 1, 65510 Idstein
(liegt nicht direkt an der ausgewiesenen Wandertour)
Directions
The circular hiking path is equipped with a total of 9 information boards and explains to the hiker over a total of 2.5 km numerous new findings about the historical site around the Alteburg fort. To the east of the fort area - above the Roman vicus - the Alteburg market takes place three times a year, a supra-regional farmers' and cattle market with a centuries-old tradition. The old trees in the market area form an impressive natural monument.
The tour starts at the car park of the festival area around the "Alteburger Markt" in Heftrich. Right at the beginning, three (1) information boards await the hiker, providing information about the importance of the Limes, the Limes in Idstein and the "Alteburger Markt", as well as another board with information about the natural monuments. In the area around Idstein, 19 tower sites are known, as well as the Alteburg-Heftrich numerus fort with its two older small forts.
The circular path continues southwards, and after only a few hundred metres at the first crossroads you will find the next information board on the Limes fort next to the market square - Numerus fort "Alteburg" (2). The fort was 0.7 ha in size and surrounded by a moat - today the information board reminds us of the fort, as it is no longer visible in the terrain.
After another 100 m in a southerly direction, the hiker comes to the next information board - "The camp village of Fort Alteburg" (3). In the south of today's market area, settlement structures could be proven. By means of these findings, the settlement pattern in the border provinces of the Roman Empire could be researched.
About 400 m further south, the hiker reaches the "Mainzer Hohle" (4)-a deep trace of an old hollow way in the forest. The path, which has been used for centuries, has cut deeply into the terrain due to the use of carts and the driving of cattle through it. It can be assumed that the Roman connection from the fort to the Main plain also ran in this area, which underlines the important strategic position of the fort.
Further on, the trail turns left towards the east, reaching the next information board on "Chapel, Monastery and Market at Alteburg" (5) after approx. 190 m. The foundations of the so-called Kilians Chapel were visible here until the 18th century.
The circular path now leads back west to the information board "Mainzer Hohle" and from there heads back north for about 100 m before the trail turns right onto a small field path. After about 750 m in an easterly direction, turn left and walk along the edge of the field for about 450 m in a northerly direction. Here you reach the next information board on "the Limes near Heftrich" (6). At this junction, the trail turns left towards the west and after a few metres already leads to the last information board "two small forts near Idstein-Heftrich" (7). Many years ago, two predecessor fortresses of the "Alteburg" fort, built in timber-earth construction, stood here and are still clearly recognisable from the air.
After 350 m further west, the hiker reaches the starting point of the hike again, the car park at the festival grounds.
Start
Wanderparkplatz Sandplacken, 61389 Schmitten
Finish
Römerkastell Saalburg, Saalburg 1, 61350 Bad Homburg
Museum
Römerkastell Saalburg, Saalburg 1, 61350 Bad Homburg
Refreshment Stops
Taberna Museumscafé, Römerkastell Saalburg, Am Römerkastell 1, 61350 Bad Homburg
Landgasthof Saalburg, An der Jupitersäule 10, 61350 Bad Homburg
Directions
The Limes trail on the main ridge of the Taunus leads hikers along a route that has a lot of information in store for those who are interested. The Hochtaunus Limes Experience Trail is lined with numerous Roman monuments and information boards that provide insights into the Roman era in the Taunus. You should expect some uphill stretches along the trail. The trail climbs high up to the "Roßkopf", an elevation of 632.4 metres. Here the hiker is rewarded with views of the Usinger Land. Wherever you go up, you have to go down again at some point. The route leads steeply downhill in places, so a little caution is advised, regardless of the weather.
The tour starts at the "Sandplacken" hikers' car park and heads east along the Taunus ridge. After just a few metres, you reach the first highlight of the route - the "Altes Jagdhaus" fort (1), which you can discover on the right-hand side of the path. The border camp was conserved in 2009 in order to make the walls and building ground plans that had been preserved until then recognisable to visitors.
The trail continues for a good 750 m in an easterly direction. At the fork, it is possible to take a short detour to guard post 3/55 (2) straight ahead for about 350 m into the forest. The foundation walls of the guard post have been preserved.
For hikers who do not want to take the short detour, the trail turns left at the fork and heads east for another 750 m. The trail continues straight ahead for a while. After a while, the trail is accompanied by visible traces of the Limes, which, however, are no longer recognisable deeper in the forest. Here the Romans built a stone wall, contrary to the typical construction method in which they combined the rampart with a ditch, but it is no longer preserved like this because of the hard ground.
At the next crossroads, the trail turns right and a few metres later left again. After 500 m, you reach the next highlight of the route - the small fort of Heidenstock (3). The ramparts of the small fort are still clearly recognisable today. The Limes line is visible to the north-east of the small fort.
The route leads the hiker further through the forest, passing the site of watchtower 3/59 on the right after about 1.1 km and reaching watchtower 3/60 (4) after a further 500 m. The fort is still visible today. At watchtower 3/60 there is a preserved stone tower fragment a few metres behind the wall, which was erected again here on a small area. To the north-east of the watchtower, the Limes wall is very well preserved. Some parts of the wall are still up to 0.5 m high.
Just 400 m further on, you reach the next watchtower 3/61 (5). This is one of the best-preserved guard posts in the Taunus. Two wooden tower sites with circular ring ditches and two stone foundations were found here, the latter preserved.
The route continues for about 3 km on the Limes hiking trail until you reach the end point - the Saalburg Roman fort (6). The premises inside the fort now serve as a research institute and museum for excavation finds from the Saalburg itself and other Taunus forts. One of the special features of the Saalburg is that house ground plans and cellars of the associated fort vicus have been preserved in the outer area after excavation. Among other things, parts of a bathing complex and the accommodation house as well as the commander's residence and the large staff building in the inner courtyard can be visited.
Start/Finish
Limesinformationszentrum Hof Grass, Hof Grass 4, 35410 Hungen
Museum
Exhibition Hof Grass, Hof Grass 4, 35410 Hungen
Refreshment Stops
Restaurant Hof Grass, Hof Grass 4, 35410 Hungen
Directions
The Hof Grass Limes Circular Path invites you to explore the Limes in Hungen. It leads for about 3.2 km past numerous information boards and thus gives the hiker a detailed insight into what happened at the Limes around 2000 years ago.
The tour starts at the car park of the Limes Information Centre in Hof Grass (1). Already here you can learn everything worth knowing about the Romans in an exhibition. Starting with the Roman Empire and its borders, the soldiers at the Limes and the water supply in the forts. A visit is worthwhile in any case and is perfect before or after a hike on the circular route.
Starting at Hof Grass, turn left towards the west on the Limes hiking trail and after about 200 m you will come to the first information board on the topic of "Roman games" (2). Numerous ball, dice, board, throwing, guessing, running and catching games are already known.
After another 450 m in a westerly direction, you reach the Limes - the outer border of the Roman Empire (3). In this section, the fortification consisted of a rampart and ditch. In many places, the remains of the rampart are still clearly visible. At this point, under the walnut tree, the limes is still preserved over a length of about 60 m and up to 1 m in height. The ditch is recognisable in front of it as a shallow depression. It is assumed that the rampart ran all the way to the river. The adjoining swamp formed a natural border.
Another 250 m further on, you reach the next information board at the "Grasser Wäldchen" (4). To the right of the path lies the grove, where many archaeological finds prove that the area was already inhabited from the Neolithic and Iron Age onwards.
In August 2012, geomagnetic prospection revealed a Salian castle complex from the 11th century. The remains of a medieval church found next to it probably belonged to a village that was abandoned in the late Middle Ages.
The trail turns left after about 140 m and continues westwards across a small stream. Here you will find the next station on the topic of "Roman agriculture" (5). Agriculture played a major role in the Wetterau region with its fertile soils. For this reason, it is not surprising that over 400 Roman farmsteads - called "villae rustica" - have been identified here.
After about 200 m, the trail turns left again towards the south. Here the hiker leaves the Limes hiking trail and after another 290 m turns left into the fields. Here you will now reach the vicus - the camp village (6) and the Inheiden fort (7). Both relics from Roman times are no longer visible today. Information boards tell hikers where they once stood.
At each fort along the access road there was also a camp village. Here, mainly innkeepers, craftsmen and traders settled who supplied the garrison of the fort with everything it needed. The Inheiden vicus lies to the south-east of the fort, above the railway line. Numerous pottery sherds from the Roman period have been found at this site.
While it is common to speak of the one "Inheiden fort", three different fort sites with four construction phases would actually have to be differentiated. The oldest find was published as early as 1759. At that time, traces of the camp were probably still visible in the terrain. The first scientific excavations took place at the beginning of 1885.
Continue along the field path until you reach the road again. From here, you walk along the Limes hiking trail again. Turn left and follow the road for about 500 metres. Here you reach the last information board of the circular hiking trail "Limes Profile" (8). At the Upper Germanic Limes, the pointed ditch was excavated to a depth of 2 m over a width of 5 - 7 m over almost its entire length. The palisade lay in front of the ditch at a distance of 1 - 2 m. The ditch and rampart prevented uncontrolled crossing of the border by carts. For pedestrians, however, crossing the border was not an insurmountable obstacle.
To get back to Hof Grass, follow the track for about 300 m and turn left again onto a field path. After a few hundred metres, Hof Grass is on the right and invites you to linger.
Start/Finish
„Bahn-Radweg“, Bahnhof in Altenstadt, Hanauer Str. 25, 63674 Altenstadt
Museum
-
Refreshment Stops
Landhaus Knusperhäuschen, Lange Str. 45, 63674 Altenstadt-Oberau
Weinhaus Hagenfeld, Hauptstraße 26a, 63546 Hammersbach-Marköbel
Directions
The hiking trail from Altenstadt via Limeshain to Hammersbach offers all kinds of relics from Roman times. Along the way, in addition to ground monuments and installations, you will also find reconstructions and can thus gain an insight into the history of the Romans.
Start at the railway station in Altenstadt and head west, taking a detour along the streets "Zum Niddersteg" and "Frankfurter Straße" to reach an information board on the former fort in Altenstadt opposite the town hall. Back at the level crossing, cross the tracks in the direction of Oberau and head south for 2 kilometres straight ahead, past restaurants in Oberau and at the end of Kochgasse, to a rest stop on the meadow orchard with the information board "Der Römische Obst-Garten" (1).
The route continues straight ahead for 550 m along Herrnstraße and then follows the district road eastwards to the junction with the information board "Archaeobotany" and two Roman sculptures. The trail now runs south for about 150 m before turning right into the forest. After about 90 m, the trail makes a bend and continues south, soon you walk along the still very recognisable Limes. This still forms a border today, namely from the municipality of Altenstadt to the municipality of Limeshain, the only municipality that has the Limes in its name. On this section of the trail, after about 900 m, you will find the next information board at "Kleinkastell Buchkopf" and the installation "Germanic tribes" (2).
After another 450 m, the path crosses the country road and leads to the first reconstruction of the route. Here you will find an experimentally built Limes reconstruction, consisting of the moat-wall installation with and without palisade (3) and an information board on the formation of the Limes.
The highlight of the hiking trail - the Limes watchtower 4/103 (4), reconstructed almost authentically in 2013, awaits you after another 450 m in a southerly direction on the right-hand side of the trail. It can be visited all year round. Information boards provide information about the construction of watchtowers and life on site.
The trail continues south past the large installation "Sword and Shield" to reach the Drusus oak with watchtower site and information board (5) after 1.1 km. At the edge of the forest, stake loungers and another installation invite you to take a rest before you see the Limes stone in the field a few metres to the south and turn right shortly afterwards. After 700 m, the trail turns left twice, leads after about 1.5 km to the centre of Hammersbach-Marköbel and ends at Limes palisades. There is a piece of original fort wall in the cemetery (6).
Start
„Limesparkplatz Adelsheim” just off the Hopfengarten-Hergenstadt road
Finish
Römermuseum Osterburken
Museum
Römermuseum Osterburken, Römerstraße 4, 74706 Osterburken
Refreshment Stops
Cafe Mithras, Römerstraße 4 (im Römermuseum), 74706 Osterburken
Directions
This gentle, approx. 6.5 km (4 miles), walk takes you along the Limes Trail to discover a less well known section of the Limes south of Osterburken (Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis). Starting from the car park the path takes you to these rarely visited remains of the Limes, which are well preserved for 800 metres. You can also find in this quiet area traces of three watchtowers and explore the impressive Limes reconstruction “Förstlein”. On the final part of the walk you can visit the annex fort and finish your walk at the “Römer-museum” (Roman Museum) in Osterburken.
If you have the use of two cars, you might want to park one car at Osterburken and drive back. If not you can enjoy strolling back the way you came.
From the car park follow the road in the direction of Hopfengarten. On reaching the modern artwork, which portrays a group of abstract trees (1), part of the 18 Sculpture Cycle route, go straight ahead. The Limes Trail joins the road from the south. Near the edge of the woodland take the path which opens to the left. Following the path for only a few metres, you pass the old markers indicating the former boundary of the region of Baden-Württemberg. At this point you can see the Limes as a low mound on your right. After 250 metres you will see the remains of a watchtower (2).
Follow the Limes until you approach a narrow tarmac road and keep to the right. Leave the road to the left just before you reach the tree nursery and head back into the woodland. The footpath heads gently downhill into the valley, where you will reach a tarmac track; follow this for a short period of time. The path bends to the right and uphill into the wood-land once more, where it then turns left. Here the path runs parallel to a well preserved and clearly visible section of the Limes. At several points you can make out the Roman ditch between the Limes and the path. At the highest point of the so-called “Welscher Buckel” you can find the remains of the next watchtower (3).
Soon you will reach a wide forest track; turn right and fol-low the track for 600 metres. You will there find a marker (4) showing where the boundaries of the three towns of Adelsheim, Osterburken and Ravenstein meet; at this point the track leaves the trees and gives you a fantastic view over the landscape. In the east you can see the former estate of Marienhöhe, now the home of the Histotainmentpark Adventon. If you are interested in the Middle Ages you should definitely visit this attraction.
From now on you cross the fields in the area of the so-called “Hergstgraben”. The route gains height as you follow the path which bends to the right at the edge of the woodland. Now you follow the edge of the trees to the north. On your left you can see in the forest an abandoned old quarry (5), on the site of a suspected Roman watchtower.
Arriving at the top of the hill, you join the path which follows the ridge. It is the so-called “Hohe Straße”, an old road which ran from the Jagst river crossing near Möckmühl to the Tauber valley in the east. Follow the old road until it meets the Marienhöhe-Wemmershof road. A few metres later you will arrive at the foundation of a watchtower (6).
Leave the forest for the last time in the direction of Osterburken, crossing a bridge over the B 292 main road and passing two riding stables. From here you can see the Limes reconstruction Förstlein (7). This reconstruction of a watchtower, rampart and ditch was erected approx.150 metres from the original remains, which are hidden beneath the ground and are not visible. On the rear wall you can find information panels explaining the development of the Limes in this section. It’s worth mentioning that in the late building phase of the Limes, a 17 kilometres long stone wall was built which stretched from Osterburken to the river Jagst. Close by you will find another one of the artworks on the 18 Sculpture Cycle route. Now head one kilometre downhill to the annex fort (8) at Osterburken.
The remains of the almost 1.8 hectare fort were preserved and made accessible for visitors after the excavation in 1910. The fort was built in AD 185 as an annex to a cohort fort. The defensive wall is incredibly well preserved and documented, and still stands to head height. It provides just a small glimp-se of the impressive Roman fortification along the Limes. A 14 metre high steel frame reconstructs the left side gate of the cohort fort with its two gateways and flanking towers.
From this point it is only a short 300 metre walk to the Römermuseum Osterburken. The museum is managed by the State Archaeological Museum (Archäologisches Landes-museum) of Baden-Württemberg, and displays numerous archaeological finds from the northern area of the Limes in Baden-Württemberg.
Start/Finish
Car park at the road K 1809 between Großerlach-Grab and Großerlach-Morbach
Key to the Watchtower
The tower is always locked, so you need to collect the key from the following address: Rathaus Großerlach (town hall), 71577 Großerlach, Stuttgarter Straße 18, +49 7903 9154-0, rathaus@grosserlach.de
Refreshment Stops
Gasthof Silberstollen, In der Reute 4, 71577 Großerlach
Restaurant Landhaus Noller, Marhördt 18, 74420 Oberrot-Marhördt
Directions
This moderate, approx. 1.4 km (just under a mile), circular stroll through the woodlands leads you to the unique Limes reconstruction of Großerlach-Grab (Rems-Murr-Kreis) with a watchtower, rampart and ditch, palisade and a strip cleared of trees. If you want to experience the ancient view of the Limes, you have to visit the Limes reconstruction close to Grab.
From the car park the Limes Trail leads you gradually up the hill through the woodland on top of the “Heidenbuckel”. At the highest point (1) you can see the reconstruction of the watchtower as well as the wooden palisade, ditch and rampart.
The reconstructions are set in a strip that has been cut through the woodland and is intended to demonstrate the border situation in ancient times. This strip was important for the Romans in order to control the border from watchtower to watchtower. The name of the small hill Heidenbuckel comes from the vernacular; local people connected the ruins of the watchtower with ancient pagans. The word “Heiden” in German means different people from a long time ago, “Buckel” describes a small hill. At the top you’ll find picnic tables inviting you to have a break. Once rested follow the Limes Trail downhill back on a small path along the cleared strip through the woods.
On reaching the forest track turn right back to the car park..
Start
Car park at the edge of the wood in the south of Alfdorf-Pfahlbronn extension of the Riedstraße
Finish
Car park at Lorch Monastery
Museum
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Refreshment Stops
Gasthaus Rössle, Lorcher Straße 25, 73553 Alfdorf-Pfahlbronn
Gasthaus ECHO, Im Echo 20, 73547 Lorch
Lorch Monastery, Klostercafé, Klosterstraße 2, 73547 Lorch
Directions
This short, four kilometre (2.5 miles) walk runs from Alfdorf-Pfahlbronn (Rems-Murr-Kreis) along the Limes Trail, where in places you can see the well preserved rampart and ditch of the Limes, through a beautiful mixed woodland to the monastery at Lorch (Ostalbkreis). The monastery, built in the 12th century, was the main religious centre for the area’s leading nobles, the Staufer family. During the walk you can see the foundations of four watchtowers, ancient wheel tracks in the stone, the remains of a small fort and a reconstruction of a wooden watchtower. You can walk the same way back, or if you have another car, park it at the monastery and drive back.
From the very beginning of the route you can discover something interesting. The well preserved and somewhat overgrown Limes, which cuts into the actual car park. Also you will find the remains of a watchtower (1) in the grassed area to the side of the track to Pfahlbronn.
Heading south, on your way to the start of the woodland, the Limes runs next to you on your left side. On reaching the woodland the paths heads into the trees. The unsurfaced track changes into a narrow footpath, which then goes uphill and passes the foundations of a tower (2). Then you can see ancient wheel tracks in the sandstone (3), which could have been part of a Roman road.
Afterwards the path leads uphill and you reach the prominent summit, once the site of a watchtower (4), the foundations of which can still be seen. After a descent, the path joins with the “Trimm-Dich-Pfad” (exercise and running path) for a short period. The rampart and ditch are clearly visible along this section for most of the time. Now, after a short, but steep uphill section, you will reach the top of a hill, which is crowned by the remains of a watchtower (5). Once an exposed hilltop, you now find yourself in a wooded area, and we need to imagine how it looked in the Roman period without the trees and with clear views across the landscape. From now on the path heads downhill into the valley of the Götzenbach for quite a while. There are some slight traces of the rampart and ditch to see as you walk.
In the Götzenbach Valley the route leaves the Limes and leads you between two ponds and across the line of the Limes. A signpost with the letters LIMES (6) shows you exactly where you cross the Limes.
The Limes Trail leaves the valley and goes on to the monastery at Lorch. The Mörike-Wanderweg, commemorating the famous poet Eduard Mörike’s (1867-1869) period of residence in Lorch, also runs along this part of the path. If you have time to spare, you can walk uphill to the Schelmenklinge (7), a mysterious gorge where you can find water shoots and fountains from May until October.
After the ascent from the Götzenbach Valley you reach the edge of the wood, where the path leads you nearly to Lorch Monastery. From here you have a good view to the Swabian Alb (Schwäbische Alb) south of the Rems Valley. In a small group of trees on the right side you can see the faint remains of a Roman building. The square shape of the building (8) is a significant indication that it could have been a small fort. Following the path you approach a restaurant and sports ground; the path heads downhill and you leave the forest. Now you are near the monastery.
First of all you can see the wooden reconstruction of a Roman watchtower (9), with the backdrop of the Rechberg on the horizon, together with Hohenstaufen and Stuifen, part of the three Kaiserberge. The monastery is hidden by tall trees. A visit to the monastery, with its impressive church and beautiful gardens (10), is recommended. There is also a falconry with regular demonstrations of the birds.
Starting Points
There are a number of different opportunities for starting points for this route. This version starts at the nearby playground car park. The playground is located where the two roads Hüttlinger Straße and Buchener Straße meet, the boundary between the villages of Hüttlingen and Buch.
Map of the Rainau area with the route of the walk
Order: Gemeinde Rainau, +49 7961 9002-0, info@rainau.de
Refreshment Stops
Landgasthof Goldenes Lamm, Mühlberg 18, 73492 Rainau-Schwabsberg
Gasthof Kreuz, Dorfstraße 20, 73492 Rainau-Buch
Opening Times for the Watchtower
April until October (Sunday and bank holidays 11 to 17), You can pick up the key from the town hall throughout the year:
Rathaus Rainau (town hall), 73492 Rainau-Schwabsberg, Schloßberg 12 (Mon–Fri 8:00-12:00, Tue 13:30-18:00, Wed 13:30-17:00), +49 7961 9002-0, info@rainau.de
Opening hours Dalkingen Limes Gate
Due to changing opening hours, please find current information in the annual program, see www.limestor-dalkingen.de
Directions
This 11 kilometre (almost 7 miles) circular walk leads you through the Limespark at Rainau (Ostalbkreis), which includes many remarkable attractions. The best known is the Limes Gate (Limestor) at Dalkingen, with its striking protective glass and steel housing, reconstructions of a wooden watchtower, and a section of the Limes wall and the fort of Rainau, which has been visualised in a number of different ways. The monuments are grouped along the Bucher Stausee reservoir. The lake is a popular local recreation area. The circular walk links up for much of its length with the Limes Trail, and runs for large stretches across the open landscape of the “Albvorland”, the land north of the Swabian Alb (Schwäbische Alb). For most of the time the slopes of the Swabian Alb are visible.
The route follows the signposts “Limes-Park Rainau Rundwanderweg”. There are two possible shortcuts, if needed, and plenty of opportunities to park.
During the walk you’ll discover that the woodland boundary still marks the line of the Roman border to this day. From the very beginning of the route, the path runs 2 km along the edge of the woods, where the rubble bank covering the remains of the foundations of the wall is clearly visible. This gentle section of the walk crosses a stream and leads you to a site where a watchtower was once located. You first see the wooden reconstruction of a watchtower erected in 2008 (1). However, looking in the spruce woodland nearby you can discover the remains of the original stone wall of the Limes and the foundations of a turret. The three metre high reconstruction of the stone wall gives you an idea of the Roman border control system. The wall was known locally as the Teufelsmauer (Devil’s Wall).
The walk crosses the Buch-Schwabsberg road near the car park “Am Limes”, and heads along a so-called “Pfahlhecke”, a part of the Limes which is overgrown. In the past this kind of hedge was common in this area, but after the large-scale consolidation of farmland they vanished. From here the path goes downhill into the valley of the River Jagst, where you reach a sign which marks the remains of the Limes palisade (2) in this area.
The path takes you through the village, then a farm track leads you to Dalkingen. On this section you come across the glass and steel protective building of the Dalkingen Limes Gate (3). This was a border crossing between the Roman Empire and the Germans beyond. At this point a commemorative arch of honour was erected to celebrate the victory of the emperor Caracalla over the Germanic tribes in the year AD 213. The reconstruction gives an impression of how it might have looked. Since 2010 the monument is protected by the steel and glass housing. Inside you can find an exhibition, which describes the building phases and the meaning of the monument which is unique along the whole Limes. The benches outside offer an inviting place for a break.
From here a “Pfahlhecke” with impressive oaks guides you on your way. The hedge ends where the path goes downhill towards Dalkingen. You cross the village and walk gently up and down over the fields and through a small wood to the Bucher Stausee reservoir, which is fed by the River Jagst, passing the site of a Roman tilery (4).
Follow the southern bank of the lake and relax at the kiosk with its sunbathing area nearby. It’s possible to swim in the summer, or maybe take a boat out on the lake. Integrated into the area are the remains of Roman buildings (5) which were part of a Roman civilian settlement outside Buch fort, including a bathhouse.
After a short climb you reach the Roman fort (6). The site covers approximately 2.1 hectares and sits above the valleys of the Jagst und Ahlbach rivers, giving a fantastic view over the landscape. Where the remains are not preserved, hedges mark the Roman wall around the fort and trees indicate the locations of turrets. Gravel has been used to mark out the headquarters building. A model of the fort provides an idea of what the barrack blocks looked like.
Afterwards the path heads downhill to the Ahlbach stream. The stream takes you towards Buch, after which follow the route as it goes slowly uphill back to the start.
Start/Finish
Marktplatz (Market Square) Miltenberg/Schnatterloch
Museum
Museum Stadt Miltenberg, Hauptstraße 169-175, 63897 Miltenberg
Directions
The M1 Roman Trail starts at the market square (Schnatterloch) (1). Here you will also find the Museum Stadt Miltenberg with Roman finds.
From there, walk past the St. Jakobus parish church to the Main and along the new Main promenade down the Main to the west. At the Schwertfegertor (car park), cross Mainstraße and walk up the Bismarckweg up the hill via steps. At the top, turn right and walk in a wide arc with magnificent views over Miltenberg, the Main and Mud valleys, up to the height of the Greinberg to the circular rampart (3), whose age experts estimate at 3000 years. Its maximum extent is 600 by 400 metres. In 1878, the so-called Touton stone was found near the circular rampart, the inscription of which could not be interpreted until today. Here the Romans paid homage to the god Mercury. (2)
The M1 leads only a short distance over the southeastern part of the circular rampart and runs then, staying on a path at the height of the mountain, towards the Haagsaussicht. At the Haagsaussicht (4) you can enjoy the magnificent view over the Main valley. In good visibility, the heights of the Taunus with the Feldberg can be seen. From here, continue along the path to the stone cross. From this point, the Limes hiking trail goes downhill. Here you will find the foundation walls of Roman watchtowers and some informative panels on life at this intersection of Rome and Germania. (5)
At the Schützenhaus, the M1 leaves the Limes hiking trail to the left. A little above the city limits of Miltenberg, you walk in a long curve through the forest to the Ottostein and return to the market square via the Felsenmeer (6). Shortly before, at the Conradyweg subway, it is worth taking a detour to Mildenburg Castle with the Museum Burg Miltenstein (Miltenberg Castle Museum) before returning to the starting point at the market square.
Start
Parking lot "Parkzentrum West", Öttingerstraße (free of charge)
Finish
Small fort on the Schloßbuck
Museum
Archäologisches Museum, Brunnenstraße 1, 191710 Gunzenhausen
Directions
This shorter hike in the Franconian Lake District leads along the Limes hiking trail from Gunzenhausen through the Burgstall forest up to the small fort on the Schloßbuck. On the tour, the archaeological museum, visible tower sites, a reconstructed wooden palisade and the 20 x 30 m small fort, of which remains are still preserved, can be visited.
From the car park, the walk leads eastwards along the Limes hiking trail across the Altmühl river into the historic old town. After about 500 m, you reach the town's archaeological museum (1) next to the Blasturm, a former town gate of Gunzenhausen. In addition to finds from prehistory and early history, exhibits about the Romans at the Limes, everyday life and the Mithras sanctuary are also on display.
The path continues through the village until it finally enters the Burgstall forest. After about 450 m, you will see the Bismarck Tower (2), which was partly built from stones of the former Limes wall.
The limes runs in a straight line from the west to the restored stone foundation of watchtower 14/4 (3), where part of the former wooden palisade has been reconstructed. To the east of this is the next watchtower (WP 14/5), (4) which was added to the limes wall later and at an oblique angle.
If you follow the further course of the hiking trail, you will come across the remains of the rubble wall of the Limes wall after about 500 metres.
Shortly afterwards, you reach the small fort on Hinterer Schloßbuck, which stands out clearly in the forest (5).
The next watchtower (WP 14/6), whose stone foundation is also still visible, appears 70 metres to the east.
Start/Finish
Burgusstraße car park, Burgsalach
Museum
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Directions
Burgsalach is located in the middle of the Franconian Lake District, where hikers can enjoy a varied tour for the whole family on the Roman Experience Trail. At various stations, life on and behind the border of the Roman Empire can be discovered. Interactive areas, such as a watchtower turning model and a fort pinball game, invite children to join in. They are accompanied by Pulex the flea, the mascot of the adventure trail.
The tour begins at the car park next to the sports field. The entrance steel gate presents information about the Limes and where its former course is still recognisable.
Along the field/gravel path, follow the signs with the flea Pulex and you will reach the preserved foundation walls of the watchtower WP 14/48 as well as a reconstruction of a wooden Limes tower (1). After about 800 metres, you reach the site of the 18x18 m Raitenbuch small fort, which lies about 20 m behind the Limes (2). Here you will also find a fort pinball machine where you can playfully explore the different areas of the fort. An information board here also provides information about world heritage and modern economy.
The path now leads to the right into the forest. After about 1.7 kilometres, the path winds through the forest and leads to the next adventure station on the topic of "Locomotion and Trade" (3). Here you will find information about the large and well-developed road network of the Romans and about the trade that flowed over these roads. A stele with rotating pictures shows the different means of transport used by the Romans.
After another 800 metres, "road signs" make clear the distances between the important Roman sites in the region. After the woodland section, the path leads past the "Wood Earth Fort" station, where traces of two Roman forts hidden in the ground were discovered with the help of aerial archaeology and magnetometer measurements, to the Burgus.
The "Burgus", (4) which was first excavated in 1790, probably served as a "mansio" (Roman inn) for travellers. Today, the preserved walls of the square building, which has a 3.5 m wide passage with two gates, can be visited. The traces of the sill beams of the passage are also still there. The hike first leads back to the fork, where you return to the starting point in a north-easterly direction.
Alternatively, a longer route variant of approx. 12.7 km is possible. Information on this can be found on the flyers at the entrance to the trail.
Start
Car park in front of the church in the Altmühl lowlands
Finish
Roman and Bajuwaren Museum Kipfenberg
Museum
Römer und Bajuwaren Museum, Infopoint Limes, Burg Kipfenberg, 85110 Kipfenberg
Directions
On the Altmühl lowland, where the parish church of Böhming now stands in an isolated location, there was a fort covering 0.7 hectares. The outlines of the former military camp are still clearly visible outside the cemetery wall as a rampart up to 1.5 m high.
The hike begins at the car park at the parish church. Here, the first highlight awaits the visitor: the former 0.7 ha fort (1). Its outlines can still be clearly seen as a rampart outside the cemetery wall.
The path leads over the small section of the Kirchweg in a north-westerly direction onto the Bruckwiesenweg. Passing fields, you now reach the Wirtsstraße and the signposted Panoramaweg, which leads northwards over the Altmühl bridge. After about 300 metres, you enter the forest, where the trail leads steeply uphill along the "Römersteig". The path leads into a wide forest path, where you follow the signs and first turn right and finally come to the fork on the left up onto the Limes hiking trail.
Before turning right towards Kipfenberg, our hike leads us to the left along a very well preserved section of the Limes, which runs here as a mighty dam up to one metre high. After about 600 m you reach watchtower 14/77 (2), of which the stone foundation has been preserved. From there, head back to the top of the spur and this time follow the Limes hiking trail in the direction of Kipfenberg. At the top of the Pfahlbuck, you come across the remains of watchtower 14/78 (3), which has been reconstructed as a wooden watchtower next to the remains.
11 metres in front of the wall's alignment is a palisade ditch, 1 m deep and 0.5 m wide, hewn into the rock, which is still partly recognisable today. The replica also serves as a viewing platform, so that from a height of 8 metres you can see the bend that the Limes makes in this area (4).
Now the Limes hiking trail leads through the forest down to Kipfenberg, across the Altmühl and on the Limes hiking trail through the village. On this path you finally reach the end point of the hike, the Roman and Bajuwaren Museum in Kipfenberg Castle (5).
In the town itself, it is also worth taking a detour to the artwork "NO LIMIT", which symbolises the course of the Limes. Seven three-metre high steles give the viewer a sense of the height of the border fortifications.
Start/Finish
beer garden at the ferry in Eining
Museum
Römisches Museum für Kur- und Badewesen, Trajansstraße 8, 93333 Bad Gögging
Directions
On a route of 13.7 kilometres, this multi-faceted circular hiking trail takes hikers to the Abusina Roman fort, along the small river Abens to the spa town of Bad Gögging and past the Weinberg and Sandberg hills back to the starting point. The tour begins in Eining at the beer garden, which is located directly on the Danube. Here you have the opportunity to cross the Danube in a nostalgic way by cable ferry. From the beer garden, the Roman Loop first leads along the Abens, which flows into the Danube here. Follow the signs "Römerschlaufe am Jurasteig".
A short, steep climb takes you up to the village with its church visible from afar. The real cultural highlight of Eining is the Abusina Roman fort (1). It is one of the best-preserved Roman fortifications in Bavaria. From the Roman fort, which in Roman times marked the eastern bar of the Limes, the Roman loop continues in the direction of Sittling. Along the edge of the slope there are magnificent views of the Abens and the Danube.
The path leads along the high water dam into the spa town of Bad Gögging. In the old town centre, a short detour to the Romanesque St. Andrew's Church with the Roman Bathing Museum, which shows parts of an old state spa (2), or to one of the numerous restaurants is recommended. A visit to the Limes-Therme is highly recommended for wellness lovers. Passing the hop gardens typical of the Hallertau, you leave Bad Gögging in the direction of Sandharlanden.
A gem on the way to the Sandberg (3) is the Sandharlandener Heide nature reserve with its glacial drifting sands and rich flora.
On the west side of the Sandberg, the path leads along extensive dry slopes, with a view of the Danube valley and the scent of thyme and pine resin in your nose. It is also worth taking a detour to the vineyard that lies to the north of the Sandberg. Besides a small Mars and Victoria sanctuary, it invites you to linger with a charming view (4). The trail descends gently back down to the Danube - upstream you finally reach the starting point.
Start
Auenstraße, 94356 Kirchroth
Finish
Bogen Station, Bahnhofstraße 26, 94327 Bogen
Museum
Gäubodenmuseum, Fraunhoferstraße 23, 94315 Straubing
Directions
In Kirchroth (1), first follow the Auenstraße to the Danube. From here, the hiking trail runs along the top of the dike, with wonderful views of the Danube, the former river border, and the nearby mountains of the Bavarian Forest. Take yourself back in time to Antiquity and walk as a "border crosser" in the footsteps of the Romans along the "UNESCO World Heritage Danube Limes". Follow the northern bank of the Danube.
After walking through the former "Barbaricum", cross the Danube over the “Kagerser Brücke” (Kagerser Bridge) (2) and enter the Roman province of Raetia.
The city silhouette of Straubing with its numerous towers greets you from afar. The centre of the Gäuboden region captivates with its spacious medieval town square, imposing town houses and its many magnificent Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque churches. In Roman times, Straubing, the ancient Sorviodurum, was, along with Regensburg, the most important Roman military site on the eastern Raetian Limes. Among other things, the world-famous "Roman Treasure Find of Straubing" is exhibited in the Gäubodenmuseum (3).
Continue over the “Schlossbrücke” (Castle Bridge) to Gstütt before crossing the Old Danube over the “Agnes-Bernauer-Brücke” (Agnes-Bernauer-Bridge). Leaving "Roman soil" now, continue along the northern bank of the Danube.
From Straubing, the last stretch of free-flowing Danube in Germany begins. Here you walk through a natural, idyllic river landscape towards Bogen. Around the middle of the 1st century AD, the Danube, which served as ab border for the Romans up to the Black Sea, was fortified with small troop camps in this place, in order to monitor traffic on the river or as stations for ship crews.
Continue walking along the Danube border in the eastern part of the Roman province of Raetia until first reaching Reibersdorf and finally arriving in the town of Bogen (4).
A gem on the way to the Sandberg (3) is the Sandharlandener Heide nature reserve with its glacial drifting sands and rich flora.
On the west side of the Sandberg, the path leads along extensive dry slopes, with a view of the Danube valley and the scent of thyme and pine resin in your nose. It is also worth taking a detour to the vineyard that lies to the north of the Sandberg. Besides a small Mars and Victoria sanctuary, it invites you to linger with a charming view (4). The trail descends gently back down to the Danube - upstream you finally reach the starting point.