#13 - Erbeskopf / #14 - Dollberg

Mountbatten, Marburg, Gießen

Winterberg - Highlights

  • Ruhrquelle: Start your visit by exploring the source of the Ruhr itself. It is the source of the Ruhr River and a picturesque place surrounded by nature. You can take a walk along the river and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
  • Kahler Asten: The Kahle Asten is the second highest mountain in the Sauerland and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. You can either take a hike to the top or visit the Astenturm viewing platform to enjoy the view.
  • Winterberger Hochtour: The Winterberger Hochtour is a hiking trail that leads through the beautiful countryside around Winterberg. You can discover various sights and viewpoints on this trail and enjoy nature.

Marburg - Highlights

  • Landgrave's Castle: The Landgrave's Castle is the landmark of Marburg and towers high above the town. It is a well-preserved medieval castle that offers impressive views of Marburg and the surrounding countryside.
  • Elisabethkirche: The Elisabethkirche is a Gothic church built in honour of Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia. It is known for its imposing architecture and also houses the tomb of St. Elisabeth.
  • Old University: The Old University of Marburg was founded in 1527 and is one of the oldest Protestant universities in the world. The Renaissance-style building is an impressive example of historical architecture.
  • Botanical Garden: The Botanical Garden in Marburg is a beautiful place to explore the diversity of the plant world. It was laid out as early as 1620 and offers a picturesque place to walk and relax.
  • Marburg Castle: The Marburg Castle is another castle in Marburg used by the university. It houses the Marburg Castle Museum, which offers interesting exhibitions on the history of the city and the university.

Giessen - Highlights

  • Mathematikum: The Mathematikum is an interactive museum devoted entirely to mathematics. It is the world's first hands-on mathematical museum and offers exciting exhibitions and experiments for visitors of all ages.
  • Botanical Garden: The Botanical Garden of Justus Liebig University Giessen is a green oasis in the middle of the city. It houses a variety of plant species from different regions of the world and offers beautiful walking paths and rest areas.
  • Liebig Museum: The Liebig Museum is dedicated to the chemist Justus von Liebig, who was born in Gießen. The museum presents exhibits on the history of chemistry and the life of Justus von Liebig.
  • Oberhessisches Museum: The Oberhessisches Museum is located in the Old Castle of Gießen and displays an extensive collection on the cultural and art history of the region. There are exhibitions on the city's history, archaeology, folklore and fine arts.
  • Giessen City Church: The City Church of Giessen, also known as St. John's Church, is an impressive church building in the centre of the city. It was built in the 13th century in the Gothic style and is known for its beautiful architecture and historical significance.

Slow start this morning (9 am)  had to return the key for the showers this morning. Some coffee (not English breakfast tea in Battenberg, origin of some family in England). Strolling through the small university cities Marburg and Gießen ( e.g. Mathematicum) and relaxing at the swimming pool next door to the campsite. Watched a soccer game later on and had to say good bye to an empty sun cream from NZ bought in 2011...

Elvis, Mainz and a thunderstorm

Bad Nauheim - Highlights

  • Sprudelhof: The Sprudelhof is an impressive Art Nouveau building ensemble that serves as a spa centre. It is one of the largest enclosed Art Nouveau ensembles in Europe and features magnificent arcades, courtyards and a magnificent Trinkkuranlagenhaus.
  • Elvis Presley Square and Elvis Presley Monument: Bad Nauheim was Elvis Presley's home during his military service in Germany. Elvis Presley Square commemorates this period and the Elvis Presley Monument is a popular attraction for fans of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
  • Rose Museum: The Rose Museum is located in the historic Sprudelhof and is dedicated to the history and culture of the rose. It offers an impressive collection of rose paintings, rose objects and information on rose cultivation.
  • Kurpark: The Kurpark is a picturesque green area that invites you to relax and take a walk. There are beautiful flowerbeds, a pond, a mini-golf course and a stage for cultural events.
  • Art Nouveau Theatre: The Art Nouveau Theatre is an impressive building from the early 20th century used for theatre performances, concerts and other cultural events. It is known for its exquisite architecture and intimate atmosphere.
  • Trinkkuranlage: The Trinkkuranlage is a magnificent Art Nouveau building that once housed drinking halls where spa patients drank the healing waters. Today it houses various shops and cafés.

Mainz - Highlights

  • Mainz Cathedral: Mainz Cathedral, officially St Martin's, is an impressive cathedral and the city's landmark. With its Romanesque and Gothic architecture, it is one of the most important churches in Germany.
  • Gutenberg Museum: The Gutenberg Museum is dedicated to the famous Mainz inventor Johannes Gutenberg, who invented letterpress printing with movable metal type. Here you can see historic printing presses and valuable prints.
  • Electoral Palace: The Electoral Palace was once the residence of the Mainz electors and is now the seat of Johannes Gutenberg University. The baroque-style palace is surrounded by a beautiful palace park.
  • St. Stephan: St. Stephan's Church is another impressive church in Mainz. It is famous for its blue Chagall windows, designed by the famous artist Marc Chagall.
  • Fastnachtsbrunnen: The Fastnachtsbrunnen is an artistically designed fountain on Schillerplatz. It is a symbol of the Mainz carnival and features various figures and masks.
  • Zitadelle Mainz: The Zitadelle Mainz is a historic fortress on the banks of the Rhine. Here you can explore the impressive architecture and enjoy a magnificent view of the Rhine.

Bad Kreuznach - Highlights

  • The Old Nahe Bridge: The Alte Nahebrücke is a historic bridge over the Nahe River and a landmark of Bad Kreuznach. It dates back to the 14th century and offers a picturesque view of the town.
  • The Kurpark: The Kurpark is a green oasis in the middle of the city and invites you to relax and take a walk. There are beautiful flowerbeds, well-kept lawns and an idyllic pond.
  • The Kauzenburg: The Kauzenburg is a medieval castle ruin above Bad Kreuznach. From there you have a magnificent view of the town and the surrounding countryside. The castle also houses a hotel and restaurant.
  • The Salinental facilities: The Salinental is an extensive valley known for its graduation towers. These huge wooden constructions are used to extract salt and at the same time provide a healthy sea air. A walk along the graduation towers is recommended.
  • The Crucenia Thermal Baths: The Crucenia thermal baths are a modern thermal bath and wellness centre in Bad Kreuznach. Here you can relax and be pampered in various indoor and outdoor pools.
  • The Roman Museum: The Roman Museum in Bad Kreuznach presents archaeological finds from Roman times, including the remains of a Roman bathhouse. It offers an insight into the history of the region.
  • The bridge houses: The bridge houses are a special sight in Bad Kreuznach. They are historic half-timbered houses built directly on the pillars of the Old Nahe Bridge. Today they are part of a gastronomic and cultural centre.

Early on the road. Bad Nauheim is not only famous for their clinics, but Elvis (originally from Kolbermoor) was staying with the US army in Bad Nauheim. I visited MPI's there, in Frankfurt (2) and Mainz (2) to see the working conditions for colleagues. Mainz a little sightseeing downtown and to the west to Bad Kreuznach, where I camp next to a river a bit south in Bad Münster. At about 7 pm a very strong wind, rain, thunderstorm came up, lasted only 15 min but ruined many outdoor BBQs of my neighbors.

Mountain #13 - Erbeskopf / Mountain #14 - Dollberg

Mountain #13 - Erbeskopf, Rhineland-Palatinate

Rhineland-Palatinate, a state located in western Germany, spans an area of 19,846 square kilometers and is home to approximately 4.05 million people. It ranks as the ninth largest state and the sixth most populous out of the sixteen states in Germany. The capital and largest city is Mainz, and other significant cities include Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Koblenz, Trier, Kaiserslautern, Worms, and Neuwied. Rhineland-Palatinate shares borders with North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse, as well as with France, Luxembourg, and Belgium. The state is renowned for its natural and cultural riches, which encompass the expansive Palatinate winegrowing region, picturesque landscapes, and numerous castles and palaces.

At 816.32 metres, the Erbeskopf is the highest mountain in Rhineland-Palatinate.

Mountain #14 - Dollberg, Saarland

Saarland, located in the southwestern region of Germany, is a state characterized by its small size. Covering an area of 2,570 square kilometers and having a population of 990,509 people as of 2018, it is the second smallest state in Germany in terms of area, only surpassed by the city-states of Berlin, Bremen, and Hamburg. In population, it ranks as the second smallest state after Bremen. The state capital and largest city is Saarbrücken, with other notable cities including Neunkirchen and Saarlouis. Throughout history, Saarland has played a minor role in the disputed territories along the linguistic border between France and Germany. However, it gained significant economic and strategic importance in the 19th century due to its abundant coal deposits and subsequent industrialization. After World War I, Saarland emerged as a distinct political entity in 1920 under the name "Territory of the Saar Basin." During this time, it was occupied and governed by France under a mandate from the League of Nations.

At 695.4 metres, the Dollberg is the highest mountain in Saarland.

Double feature again today, Erbeskopf and Dollberg. First along the river Nahe and the climb was quite slow. Erbeskopf can be done by bike, there is a military post up there, and a road to the top, Dollberg is better done walking the last 1000m. Due to the lack of suitable campsites for many miles,  I stayed after 117km at Bostalsee for a swim.
700km left and two mountains - Feldberg and Zugspitze.