A Rider’s Survey of Germany
Germany is often misunderstood by motorists as simply a transit zone defined by the unlimited sections of the Autobahn. For the motorcyclist, however, the real value lies elsewhere. The country is a dense network of high-quality secondary roads (Landstraßen) and tertiary mountain passes that connect distinct geological zones.
The tarmac quality is consistently high, the engineering is precise, and the signage is logical. This guide breaks down the essential riding regions, moving beyond the stereotypes to find the technical curves and scenic corridors.
1. The Alpine Limit: The Bavarian Alps
Route: Deutsche Alpenstraße (German Alpine Road)
This is the oldest holiday route in Germany, hugging the Austrian border. It serves as a connector for several significant passes.
The Engineering: The Oberjoch Pass (B308) is a standout. It climbs 300 meters using 106 curves. It was designed with a specific rhythm that favors momentum over raw speed.
The Altitude: The Riedberg Pass (OA9) is the highest rideable pass in Germany (1,407m). It features short, steep ramps that test torque and throttle control.
The Panorama: The Roßfeld Panoramastraße is a toll road built on a ridge above Berchtesgaden. It offers a 360-degree view of the limestone massifs of the Berchtesgaden Alps.
2. The Ridge Run: The Black Forest
Route: B500 (Schwarzwaldhochstraße)
The B500 is legendary in European motorcycling circles. It runs along the crest of the Black Forest low mountain range.
The Drive: The road is wide, the surface is race-track smooth, and the visibility through the corners is excellent. It favors a flowing, high-speed cadence.
The Warning: Because of its popularity, the B500 is heavily policed. For a more technical experience, divert onto the smaller “L-roads” that drop into the valleys toward the lakes (like Mummelsee). These are narrower, tighter, and often empty.
3. The Volcanic Loop: The Eifel & Nürburgring
Route: B258 / Deutsche Vulkanstraße
South of Aachen lies the Eifel, a region defined by its volcanic history. The landscape is dotted with maars (volcanic crater lakes).
The Circuit: The Nürburgring Nordschleife is the focal point. Crucial Update: As of 2025, reports indicate that motorcycles are largely restricted from mixed “Touristenfahrten” sessions for safety reasons. Track access is now primarily limited to specific motorcycle training days.
The Road: The B258 cuts through the forest, offering a high-speed approach to the track. For geology enthusiasts, the German Volcano Route connects 39 geological sites over 280km.
4. The River Corridors: Moselle & Rhine
Route: B9 / B42 (Rhine) and B53 (Moselle)
These routes offer a different pace. Instead of mountain passes, you follow the meandering path of major rivers.
The Moselle: The road mirrors the river’s tight loops between steep vineyards. The tarmac is flat but constantly turning.
The Middle Rhine: The section between Bingen and Koblenz is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The roads run parallel to the river on both banks, passing beneath a high density of medieval castles. It is scenic flow-riding at its best.
5. The Central Highlands: Harz & Rhön
Route: B242 (Harz) / Hochrhönstraße (Rhön)
Central Germany offers surprising elevation for those who cannot reach the Alps.
The Harz: The B242 crosses the range east-to-west. It is a mix of high moors and dense spruce forests, often serving as a great alternative when the Alps are still snowed in.
The Rhön: Known as the “land of open vistas.” The Hochrhönstraße runs across a plateau, offering long sightlines and minimal tree cover. It passes the Wasserkuppe (950m), the cradle of glider flying in Germany.
6. The Geological Maze: Franconian Switzerland
Region: Northern Bavaria
North of Nuremberg, the landscape turns into a karst topography known as Fränkische Schweiz.
The Ride: This isn’t about one specific road; it is a web of short connectors linking villages like Pottenstein and Gößweinstein. The roads thread through narrow valleys bordered by Dolomite-like rock formations and caves. It is technical, tight, and best explored without a fixed itinerary.
The Verdict
Germany offers a diversity of riding often overshadowed by its automotive industry. From the 106 corners of the Oberjoch to the volcanic curves of the Eifel, the country functions as a massive, well-maintained circuit. It rewards precision riding and allows you to link four distinct geological zones—Alps, Forest, River Valley, and Volcanic Eifel—in a single week.
