Fantastic panoramas, sweaty climbs and a huge dose of adventure – a bikepacking Tour in the Swabian Alb in Germany is something very special. I heard about the first edition of a new planned bikepacking in spring 2021 and didn’t hesitate to sign up. I’d met Wolfgang, one of the organisers, the year before at the Taunus Bikepacking event. This area of Baden-Württemberg already fascinated me when I visited in the past and I saw this as my chance to discover it on a deeper level. 50 riders signed up, but the event was unfortunately cancelled at short notice due to the pandemic. However, the route was ready and had already been sent out to participants. I knew that I still wanted to take on this adventure on two wheels as soon as restrictions and my schedule allowed.

At the end of July, the time finally came. Two of us set off for the city of Metzingen with our packed gravel bikes to embark on an ALBTraum adventure. Our high expectations were not disappointed. The 500-kilometre (310 mi) route is incredibly varied and exciting. It’s not made easy for you though: the climbs, especially in the first half, are really steep and the terrain is actually too rough for a gravel bike in places. We thought that a mountain bike would have been better suited to the conditions on more than one occasion. But, in the second half, many flowy sections await and the slopes head downhill. You’ll roll perfectly along, even on 40-mm tyres. It’s worth noting that your ideal tyre width depends on your individual need for comfort.

On every kilometre, you notice how much attention to detail has gone into the route planning. It connects an incredible number of sights, so make sure you leave yourself enough time to visit them. Breathtaking views, romantic castles and palaces, as well as countless natural beauty spots are strung together to form a route that is brimming with experiences.

The technical demands are as varied as the landscapes. You ride across rough terrain and up steep mountains, roll along river valleys where you feel as light as a feather and enjoy speed on asphalt and gravel paths.

For more information on ALBTraum Bikepacking, visit albtraum-bikepacking.de.