German Avenue Road - Discover Germany Off the Beaten Path

Odon Portillo

Updated: 19 October 2025 ·
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Highlights of the Avenue Road at a Glance

What is the German Avenue Road?

On a tour along the German Avenue Road, you drive along quiet avenues away from busy highways through the country. Experience nature and culture in a unique interplay. A vacation under the canopy of the Avenue Road takes you past numerous sights and many charming (and often hidden) places.

Spanning nearly 3,000 kilometers, the German holiday route runs from Rügen through Rheinsberg, Dresden, Fulda, and Dortmund to the island of Reichenau on Lake Constance.

However, no matter which section of the route you choose to drive during your vacation on the Avenue Road, each one presents beautiful landscapes from various regions in harmony with cultural wealth.

How does the German Avenue Road run?

The German Avenue Road extends over several thousand kilometers. It does not follow a strictly defined direction, allowing you to decide at various points which course to take.

Section 1 of the German Avenue Road

The first section leads from Rügen through Rheinsberg, Neuruppin, and Nauen to Dessau or Lutherstadt Wittenberg. It is characterized mainly by idyllic nature with many lakes and forests. In combination with magnificent buildings, it creates a beautiful contrast.

  • Old Town Stralsund
  • 'Old Beech Forests' 5 nature reserves as an extension of the UNESCO World Heritage site of beech primeval forests of the Carpathians
  • Bauhaus in Dessau

Section 2 of the German Avenue Road

If you decide to continue from Bad Belzig to Dessau, you can expect a drive through the Harz to Duderstadt. The German Avenue Road here is particularly marked by mining and half-timbered workshops.

From Bad Belzig, you can also continue to Lutherstadt Wittenberg in the Elbe Florence Dresden and Plauen. This diversion offers many culturally rich cities with impressive castles and palaces.

Section 3 of the German Avenue Road

Traveling from Plauen or Duderstadt, the road now crosses the state of Thuringia towards Fulda. This region is also referred to as Germany's 'green lung'.

In Thuringia, you can visit the Wartburg in Eisenach or the Fairy Grotto Adventure World in Saalfeld, for example.

The journey then continues from Fulda through Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. Here, you pass through Limburg, Boppard, and Bad Kreuznach. You will also see Central Europe's largest volcanic area - the Vogelsberg.

Section 4 of the German Avenue Road

On the last stretch, head towards Freudenstadt through Karlsruhe, Pforzheim, and Ravensburg to Reichenau on Lake Constance. This section is primarily characterized by the transition from the Upper Rhine plain to the heights of the Black Forest.

How did the German Avenue Road come to be?

Avenues serve multiple functions. The practice of lining roads with trees is the oldest form of roadway planting. The trees help stabilize paths, provide shade, and protect against direct sunlight, rain, and snow. Their roots also prevent or minimize the natural erosion of unpaved paths due to environmental factors.

In the past, the avenues also helped travelers maintain better orientation in their surroundings. This proved particularly useful in snowy landscapes. Aside from these practical reasons, avenues were also planted for landscape design. They served as popular enhancements, especially in conjunction with castles or residences.

Many avenues in the eastern German states have a long history. Some lined roads date back to between the 17th and 19th centuries. Parts of their original paving have been preserved to this day.

However, particularly in the old federal states, many avenues fell victim to road construction during the post-war period. After the reunification, this fate also befell the first roads in the new federal states. To protect and maintain the sometimes historical avenues as part of the landscape, the German Avenue Road Association e.V. was founded in 1990.

Who is a tour of the Avenue Road recommended for?

The German Avenue Road is a great choice for those who want to experience Germany and its many facets away from busy multi-lane highways. It is particularly suitable if you wish to enjoy the small, quaint villages and nature. In short: for anyone who loves variety!

Tip: You can find a map of the route of the German Avenue Road here.

The German Avenue Road in a Nutshell

Hardly any other holiday road is as diverse and varied as the German Alpine Road. For those who want to experience Bavaria at its finest and enjoy Bavarian charm, it is the ideal vacation route. Have you also become eager to explore Southern Germany on the German Alpine Road?

Key Numbers and Facts About the German Avenue Road

  • Country: Germany, a total of 10 federal states
  • Length (holiday road): approximately 3,000 km
  • Language: German
  • Currency: Euro
  • Time Zone: Central European Time (UTC +1)
  • Average temperature in summer: 16.3 °C (2017/2018)
  • Average temperature in winter: 4.1 °C (2017/2018)

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