A route through the Black Forest can't really be boring. Every street, every road offers you a fantastic steering adventure or a gigantic view. You often do not know what to expect after the beautiful bend that you see in front of you. But before you arrive in this great area, you first have to drive a bit through Saarland and the Alsace. And take it from me, that's not a punishment either!

The route starts in Riol and heads directly south. Already after 10 kilometers you will encounter the first hairpin bends, which promises something, they certainly won't be the last!

After driving more than 25 kilometers you will pass the steam locomotive museum in Hermeskeil. Although the word 'museum' is included in the name, it is not actually a museum, but more of a graveyard for old locomotives. These are steam locomotives, but diesel and electric locomotives are also available.
For those who like shiny locomotives that are neatly arranged, this is not a nice place to see, but the (urban) photographer who does like some faded glory should really stop here.

Shortly after the coffee stop in Rohrbach you enter France. After about 20 kilometers you come to the town of Bitche, where you can find a real citadel. At the top of a high hill rises the citadel with its impressive walls and bastions. Vauban and Cormontaigne both worked on the construction of this fortification between 1680 and 1754, commissioned by the kings of France. All the details of the military architecture of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries can be recognized in this 'monster'. However, the castle remains a unique structure and a great example of ingenuity for those days. In the subterranean rooms, a true-size film reproduction of scenes from the film 'The Besieged Fortress' by director Gérard Mordillat is shown. The visitor is in the middle of the events surrounding the historic siege of 1870-1871. The restored chapel houses the original model of the town of Bitche. Interactive and playful columns provide details about the building. The museum 'The Man in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870' provides a realistic view of this war through archive images and soldiers' experience stories.
If you want to visit the citadel, follow the directions which are clearly visible.

After lunch in Hagenau it doesn't take long before you cross the border with Germany again, which is formed by the Rhine. This time the crossing is not with a ferry, but over a bridge. Not much later you come to the road with the number 5371, or the road along Allerheiligen to Oppenau.

Here we find the All Saints waterfall. Really worth a visit. Stairs and plateaus have been built along the waterfall, from which you have a beautiful view of the splashing water. During the walk, also take a trip to the Studentenfelsen for a beautiful view over the valley.

At the top of the waterfall is the Klosterruine Allerheiligen. The All Saints Monastery was founded between 1191 and 1196. Many pilgrims have come to All Saints since the late 13th century. The monastery prospered in the 18th century thanks to a nationally accredited secondary school located in it. After the school's departure, the buildings stood empty and were auctioned in 1816 for demolition. The remains of the once-important complex only regained attention when the nearby falls were opened around 1840 with ladders and steps.
A visit to this ruin can be easily combined with a visit to the waterfalls. You can park at the indicated spots at the bottom of the falls or at the top of the ruins. You can also buy a drink at the monastery.

After All Saints' Day you still have a beautiful piece through the Black Forest, you will notice that you can entertain yourself for a week in the Black Forest alone. See another collection made by me, see the links below.

The route ends at Gasthof zum Ochsen, a guesthouse run by an older couple. They do their best to make you feel comfortable, something that I think has worked very well.

Have fun driving this route!