The first highlight of the journey can be seen as soon as you leave the train – the world’s highest church spire. 161.53 metres in height, it belongs to Ulm’s Late Gothic minster, built in two construction phases between 1377-1543 and 1844-1890. Those willing to tackle the climb up the 768 steps of its tower are rewarded by a magnificent panoramic view over the countryside surrounding this twin town, which is divided by the blue band of the River Danube. We coast past the romantic Fishers’ and Tanners’ Quarters of Albert Einstein’s birthplace and follow the European waterway upstream.
After fifteen relaxing kilometres, the Danube-Lake Constance Cycle Route turns southwards, winding gently uphill through open fields. The first stop along the way is Laupheim, once the largest Jewish community in the kingdom of Württemberg. The Museum of Christian and Jewish History, located on three floors of Großlaupheim Castle, documents the coexistence of the two related religions.
From here the cycle route continues along side roads, following the course of the narrow River Riss, from which the penultimate ice age in the Alpine region takes its name – the Riss Glacial Stage. Along its banks the trail takes us via Schemmerberg and Warthausen to complete the first stage of our trip in Biberach. Passing through the Ulmer Tor, a medieval city gate dating back to 1365, we cruise into the breathtaking heart of the former Imperial City, which is the geographic hub of this idyllic area.
