This is the second stage of a tour through Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The routes were plotted and driven in 2015 by Marc Telkamp.

During today's route you will realize that your holiday has really started. The landscape changes. The hills slowly merge into mountains. The vistas become more and more impressive and the Alps loom up. The first real Alpine passes roll under your wheels today.

The route from Ulm to Imst is one to enjoy. It is not too long, so you can regularly stop for photos, to visit an attraction or simply to take in the mighty mountains. For these reasons, the route receives 4 stars.

Today you drive the first part of the route through Germany. The roads are long, easy to drive and a pleasant change after a long first day with many kilometers.

Before leaving Ulm, cross the Danube River (RP 5). The second longest river in Europe was already used as a trade route by the Romans and Greeks. Today, the Danube is still one of the most important shipping routes within the EU: the river provides a connection between the North Sea and the Black Sea.

Slowly you leave Ulm and its suburb Neu-Ulm. The bustle of the city is replaced by the tranquility in the outer areas. After half an hour's drive you come to a special area: Roggenburg (RP 7). For more than three centuries, Roggenburg was one of the 40 self-governing imperial abbeys of the Holy Roman Empire and as such a virtually independent state. This status has brought wealth to the abbey, which you can still see today in the (almost unchanged) Baroque church building and its beautiful organ. If you find it interesting, it is definitely worth parking and visiting the monastery.

After your visit to the monastery, the route continues towards the South. You will cross the river Günz, which eventually turns northward into the Danube. Your first break of the day is in the town of Mindelheim. This small modest town dates from the Middle Ages and therefore has a beautiful city center, where you can take a lovely break on a terrace. You drive under the Oberes Tor after which you can park your motorcycle on the Marienplatz. From here, choosing is where you want to sit: do you have an iced coffee at ice cream bar “Gelati amo si”? Or are you going for a delicious cake at Bäckerei-Konditorei Ried?

The terrain is now becoming more Alpine. You will pass the Bärensee (RP 14) and Forggensee (RP 17). The latter is made to absorb the melting snow from the Alps, preventing the surrounding from flooding.

People who have visited the region around Forggensee will know the area for another reason: Neuschwanstein (RP 18). This castle is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Germany and inspired the Sleeping Beauty castle in Disneyland. Unfortunately, your own horsepower is not allowed to drive up the mountain to the castle. You can park in one of the parking fields at the foot of the hill and from there go under your own power or 2 HP (horse-drawn carriage) to the entrance of the castle. Its popularity means that the castle attracts an average of 1.3 million visitors per year. Choose for yourself whether you want to blend in with this crowd or just admire the castle from a distance.

If you prefer to avoid the crowds and enjoy a beautiful view or walk in nature, it is worth visiting Walderlebniszentrum Ziegelwies (RP 20). The Baumkronenweg (tree top walk) is a 480 meter long and 21 meter high walk above the treetops. The walk offers a beautiful view of the Lech River.

After crossing the border between Germany and Austria on foot (via the Baumkronenweg), you can now really cross the border to Austria by motorbike. In order not to connect directly to the hustle and bustle of the Fernpass, you first drive a bit over the Kniepass (RP 21).

From Reutte it continues on the Fernpass. Holidaymakers and freight traffic like to use this route, so it unfortunately does not really continue. Fortunately, Highline 179 (RP 24) makes it worth taking it away. You can take a break here at the Gasthof in the valley along the way: they serve delicious Strudels. Even more impressive is the highline itself. This suspension bridge floats above the Gasthof at a height of 114 meters and connects Fort Claudia with the ruin Ehrenberg. The 406 meter long suspension bridge provides spectacular views over the surrounding valley.

Before leaving the hustle and bustle of the Fernpass for the tranquility of the Tyrolean mountains, you can refuel at the last gas station before the end of today's route (RP 27).

The end of this route is the “icing on the cake”. You drive over the Namlosspass and Hahntenjoch. These two mountain passes are a breath of fresh air on the busy Fernpass. They are also your first real Alpine mountain passes this holiday; the mountains now tower above 2000 meters. With a big smile on your face you drive to your hotel in the mountain town of Imst.

If you arrive early at the hotel, consider visiting the Rosengartenschlucht. If you want to believe the information on the website of the Tyrolean Tourist Board, this is the most beautiful gorge in Austria. The gorge is 2 kilometers long and during the hike you make your way through tunnels and stairs carved in the rock. If you don't want to venture too far at the end of the day, a walk through the baroque city center of Imst is certainly a nice ending on a hopefully fine second day of your holiday.