A long opening stage across Swabia. After Augsburg, the route follows quiet roads through fields, villages and gentle hills towards Zusmarshausen, Burgau and Günzburg. The landscape then opens out near the Danube, with flatter plains around Langenau. Reaching the Swabian Alb, the character changes: more forest, sharper edges and longer rolling sections. Geislingen an der Steige brings the Alb escarpment and railway heritage into view, before the route follows the Fils valley via Göppingen towards the Neckar. Esslingen adds old-town streets and vineyards before the final approach into Stuttgart.
