KMII's comprehensive review of Germany's Bundesstraße 500, or Schwarzwaldhochstraße, offers a compelling alternative to the Autobahn for driving enthusiasts. This article delves into the scenic route's unique characteristics, from its challenging curves to its breathtaking vistas, providing invaluable insights for those seeking an engaging driving experience in the Black Forest region. KMII highlights the road's superb surface and strategic overtaking opportunities, making it a must-consider for any automotive adventurer.
Those from or more often in Germany might know what is hiding behind the abbreviation - it’s Bundesstraße 500, also known as Schwarzwaldhochstraße. It’s considered one of the more scenic / pretty routes in Germany - highly weather dependent for sure but when it’s sunny the views and the surrounding countryside is glorious.
The upper part starts North of Baden-Baden but the interesting bit starts just South of the town. There are some fun curves straight outside yet with the speed limit there being 50kmh this is more theoretical than fully enjoyable. There is a nice switchback to be enjoyed, though (sadly a singular one).
The remainder of the climb then revolves between sections with the general German federal road limit of 100kmh and sections limited to 70. The road surface is superb and there are sufficient overtaking opportunities to get past the odd motorhome.
When you reach the plateau, trees recede away from the road and the few that you see are far away, so you generally have spectacular sightlines (both to things worth seeing, as well as the approaching traffic.
The road is hardly technical here, just an endless combination of corners, as if the engineers did it with fun in mind. The corners are not tricky, with a constant radius and great flow to them.
Here comes the crux from a driving perspective, though. With something modern possessed of decent road holding, you need to interpret the speed limit of 70kmh at the top end very loosely to really have fun (about double that will be a start I recon). Otherwise it’s much more enjoyable with something older and a lot slower.
And here’s the end of the section. If you are in Germany and enjoy driving it’s certainly a non-Autobahn possibility, especially if the Alps are too far away from your itinerary.
Approaching from the West (France) or North, you have the A5 highway to get to it, from the East or South there’s a trek along normal roads, some nicer than others but not quick access.
In the vicinity parts of the B462 also provide some nice thrills and there are some smaller roads with lovely curves, albeit most of them hardly wider than single track and with very bad visibility, so it’s difficult to let fly.
At any rate, for a bit of vehicular fun 🏁
