B500 in a campervan?
Discussion
Hopefully this wasn't covered too recently.
I'm heading off to the very south of Alsace in a couple of weeks (within spitting distance of Basel), in the camper. I have time so I want to take the scenic road, avoid tolls and high speed sections as the mpg drops like a stone at motorway speeds. I've done the trip on the way back previously, but stuck to the faster "free" roads through France, Luxembourg and Belgium.
I'm toying with the idea of following the B500 from Baden-Baden all the way south, though it does look quite twisty on the map. What's it like in real terms? does it have a nice "flow", or will I be stirring the gearstick every 500 yards?
Are there other roads recommended in the area?
I'm heading off to the very south of Alsace in a couple of weeks (within spitting distance of Basel), in the camper. I have time so I want to take the scenic road, avoid tolls and high speed sections as the mpg drops like a stone at motorway speeds. I've done the trip on the way back previously, but stuck to the faster "free" roads through France, Luxembourg and Belgium.
I'm toying with the idea of following the B500 from Baden-Baden all the way south, though it does look quite twisty on the map. What's it like in real terms? does it have a nice "flow", or will I be stirring the gearstick every 500 yards?
Are there other roads recommended in the area?
I live just north of the black forest so here are my thoughts...
For driving a Camper Van the B500 is suitable. The road is curvy and smooth, but you can generally expect slow progress as lots of stretches are now only 50kmph. It's a common route for lorries, so there won't be any particular troubles with a Camper. As a road to enjoy at a patient pace, with picturesque views it's very nice.
When people ask me for driving a sports car through the Black forest I tell them to avoid the B500 at all costs - it's too slow and too busy and there are lots of faster flowing roads elsewhere.
Along the way heading south from Baden Baden a nice stopping places include the Mummelsee, and Freudenstadt is a pleasant stop too. South of Freudenstadt you can head towards Triberg, which I would describe as nice, but as Black Forest touristy as it gets, with countless shops selling your usual Black forest tat. Otherwise Triberg has an interesting walk up to some waterfalls for a few euros. Continue driving and you'll drive to the Titisee which is a really nice little town on a lake (called Titisee). This route taking in the whole B500 is long, will take maybe 4 hours I think. So alternatively after Freudenstadt you could divert towards Freiburg which is a beautiful city and then the Autobahn isn't far to get to Basel.
For driving a Camper Van the B500 is suitable. The road is curvy and smooth, but you can generally expect slow progress as lots of stretches are now only 50kmph. It's a common route for lorries, so there won't be any particular troubles with a Camper. As a road to enjoy at a patient pace, with picturesque views it's very nice.
When people ask me for driving a sports car through the Black forest I tell them to avoid the B500 at all costs - it's too slow and too busy and there are lots of faster flowing roads elsewhere.
Along the way heading south from Baden Baden a nice stopping places include the Mummelsee, and Freudenstadt is a pleasant stop too. South of Freudenstadt you can head towards Triberg, which I would describe as nice, but as Black Forest touristy as it gets, with countless shops selling your usual Black forest tat. Otherwise Triberg has an interesting walk up to some waterfalls for a few euros. Continue driving and you'll drive to the Titisee which is a really nice little town on a lake (called Titisee). This route taking in the whole B500 is long, will take maybe 4 hours I think. So alternatively after Freudenstadt you could divert towards Freiburg which is a beautiful city and then the Autobahn isn't far to get to Basel.
I drove the B500 in Spring this year, I wanted to find out if reports that it was no longer motorcycling nirvana were true as I was route planning for a trip to the Alps.
In my view, owing to the low speed limits, a camper van is an ideal way of experiencing that road. It’s certainly not much fun now in sporty car or bike, which I believe was the intention of the local authorities there.
To balance that whinge its very scenic and going slower does enable a better view. It also makes last minute decisions to pull over and get out easier and safer to perform.
In my view, owing to the low speed limits, a camper van is an ideal way of experiencing that road. It’s certainly not much fun now in sporty car or bike, which I believe was the intention of the local authorities there.
To balance that whinge its very scenic and going slower does enable a better view. It also makes last minute decisions to pull over and get out easier and safer to perform.
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