The Gäubahn steadily ascends from Stuttgart Hbf in a continuous loop around the city center, which, due to its superb views of the basin of the Stuttgart valley, lent the name "Panoramabahn" to this section, and counts as one of the most beautiful city center railways in Germany.
The line crosses six districts of the state of Baden-Württemberg, plus the district of Stuttgart, and is part of 5 public transport associations.