Illerblick - RadReiseRegion Naturschatzkammern

River with history You can find out just how much the Iller has influenced people's lives and the image of the region on this historic tour through the natural treasure troves.

One third of the route always takes you close to this special Alpine river. The Iller rises from the confluence of three mountain streams near Oberstdorf and flows into the Danube near Ulm. If it had a voice, it would tell of an eventful life: Of the people for whom it was an important lifeline in early times. Of the Celts, who probably lived in the Illertal around 400 BC, of the Romans, for whom it was an important part of their Danube-Iller-Rhine-Limes defense system and who were driven out by the Germanic tribes. Many people later settled in its vicinity to transport goods by raft, such as in Aitrach, the starting point of the tour. Forest owners, carters and also many craftsmen made a living from rafting. This changed the appearance of the Illertal, whose land was farmed. This structure has been preserved to this day. You cycle along historical traces through terraced, flat-topped expanses, which are very different from the hilly Alpine foothills of the natural treasure troves. As a result, the 285 meters of elevation gain are spread evenly over the 47 kilometers, with the exception of one steep climb. The gigantic Alpine chain is often visible in the distance. The mountains are strung together like pearls and even the highest peak in Germany, the Zugspitze massif, can be seen on the route.