German-French Alb-Rhine-Lauter tour section I

The tour starts in Bad Herrenalb, where the Alb springs below the Teufelsmühle. Before starting, a detour to the Bad Herrenalb monastery with the miracle pine is worthwhile; it seemingly grows on the monastery wall without contact with the ground. From Bad Herrenalb station the route leads towards Ettlingen, passing the Frauenalb monastery ruins. The monastery was founded around 1180 as a Benedictine nunnery and is now considered the symbol of the Alb Valley and a popular excursion destination. A insider tip for automobile enthusiasts is the vehicle museum in Marxzell. Horse lovers can take a detour to Burbach: the Wiesenhof stud farm is one of Europe's Icelandic horse centers and is well known. Along the Alb and the nature reserve Albtal and side valleys the route continues to Waldbronn. Here the Alb thermal baths, spa park, ice rink and various museums await a visit. Further on the Alb flows through the nature reserves Kälberklamm and Hasenklamm as well as the major district town Ettlingen on the edge of the northern Black Forest. Ettlingen is known beyond city limits for its annual castle plays held in the summer months. Then the route goes to Karlsruhe-Rüppurr. More and more clubs and companies offer canoe and Canadian canoe trips on the Alb. At the Rüppurr outdoor pool there is a paddle entry point. On your further way through Karlsruhe and its districts, the Alb flows through the Günther-Klotz park, which is one of the most popular local recreation areas in Karlsruhe city. In summer the famous music festival "das Fest" takes place here. For children the various playgrounds in the park are a highlight. The route then leads towards the Rhine harbor. At the "Appenmühle" barrage since 2000 the Karlsruhe utilities have been generating electricity from hydropower. There is also a fish ladder to see here. On your way you pass the Karlsruhe Rhine harbor, ride through the nature reserves Burgau and Altrhein Maxau towards the Rhine bridge. This connects the federal states Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. From the Rhine bridge you continue riding along the Rhine towards the south. The Rhine is among the best-known rivers in Germany. It flows through nine countries, originates in Switzerland and flows into the North Sea in the Netherlands. On your further journey you pass numerous old arms of the Rhine, reminiscent of the time before the Rhine canalization by Gottfried Tulla. In summer the Rhine beach bath Rappenwörth and the Ferma lake invite you to cool off. In Rheinstetten-Neuburgweier you can cross over to Neuburg in Rhineland-Palatinate with the Baden-Pfalz Rhine ferry from March to October.