Upper Swabia-Allgäu Route - 6th leg

The signposts of the Upper Swabia-Allgäu Route guide us reliably through the Schussen Valley, which is rimmed by green, wooded hills. Our first stop is the former Premonstratensian monastery in Bad Schussenried. Founded in 1183, the monastery was for centuries the spiritual hub of the region and renowned far and wide as a centre of learning. The magnificent church interior, and in particular the splendid library, reflect the spirit of the Baroque era. Those interested in the lifestyle and working conditions of past generations shouldn't miss the Upper Swabian Museum Village in neighbouring Kürnbach. From here we climb two hills and coast down to Bad Saulgau. Here, in the heart of Upper Swabia, it's worth taking a walk through the town, with its lovingly tended timbered buildings and several churches. The route continues in a zigzag line past fields and clumps of trees, where we enjoy the heavenly tranquillity and the far-reaching views over the undulating countryside. Shortly before Bad Buchau, a plank path leads into the Federsee nature reserve, accessible to visitors via nature adventure trails, boardwalks and observation platforms. The 2,350-hectare protected conservation area, with its dense reed beds and litter meadows enclosed by the lake, are ideal breeding and resting grounds for 265 bird species, as well as a favourable habitat for 70 varieties of butterfly. At the Federsee NABU Nature Conservation Centre, nature lovers can discover important facts about the European nature reserve and take part in an informative guided tour.