Hike through seemingly unending forest – Palatinate Forest Trail
Hiking Collection by Michi1001
9
days
2-6 h
/ day
91.7 mi
11,175 ft
11,250 ft
The Palatinate Forest is unique. It’s Germany's largest contiguous forest and, together with the Northern Vosges Nature Park, forms the only cross-border UNESCO biosphere reserve in our country. The dry sandstone soils don’t allow monotonous spruce plantations as in other forests, so here you’ll find a predominantly near-natural mixed pine forest.
Another special feature, particularly in the southern part of the forest, are the bizarrely shaped and legend-enshrouded rocks. Sometimes, you won't believe your eyes and wonder what kind of magic has created such formations. Of course, people knew how to capitalise on these natural ramparts in days gone by and today you can visit the areas numerous castle ruins. Time and again, rocky outcrops and towers offer magnificent views over this sea of trees.
On the Palatinate Forest Trail (Pfälzer Waldpfad) you get to know this very special region, while covering a distance of almost 150 kilometres (93 mi). The trail takes you from north to south with a few detours, allowing you to roam through the heart of the Palatinate Forest. Often seemingly far from civilisation and taking in the region’s the most important sights, you discover one of Germany’s most charming and rustic landscapes over the course of nine days.
The huts of the Palatinate Forest Association offer a welcome refuge and opportunities for a rest. Here, you can experience the typical Palatinate get-together and the hearty local cuisine. However, please note the different opening times. In the beautiful hamlets, villages and small towns finding cosy accommodation is easy. You can conveniently reach the start point in Kaiserslauternb by train. On the way back, it's best to use the station in Wissembourg.
So, forget everyday life for a few days and dive into the depths of the forest!
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Last updated: May 4, 2023
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All stages of the Pfälzer Waldpfad
- Intermediate04:5110.5 mi2.2 mph1,450 ft1,225 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Your hike on the Palatinate Forest Path begins at the train station in Kaiserslautern. After just a few steps you leave the city behind you and follow the path up to the Großer Humberg.
After a steep ascent, we continue up to the Humberg Tower. Once at the top you will be rewarded with a fantastic view…
by Michi1001
- Intermediate03:197.58 mi2.3 mph775 ft250 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Your second day of hiking is all about the Moosalbe, the 26-kilometer-long tributary to the Schwarzbach. Since numerous water-powered hammer mills were founded on the Moosalbe at the time of industrialization, the residents also refer to it as Hammerbach.
At the beginning of your tour you leave the narrow…
by Michi1001
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- Intermediate04:169.48 mi2.2 mph925 ft1,050 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Today you walk over particularly lonely and natural forest paths that allow you to completely relax.
From the Johanniskreuz it goes first to the Burgalbsprung and the Burgalbweiher. The Burgalbe, which has its source here, is the most important tributary to the Schwarzbach, the third largest river in…
by Michi1001
- Expert05:1811.4 mi2.1 mph1,300 ft1,650 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On your fourth stage, the landscape slowly changes along your hiking trail. In the southern Palatinate Forest there are numerous red sandstone rocks on the wooded mountain ridges, which have been formed into spectacular rock formations by erosion over the centuries.
From Waldfischbach-Burgalben you take…
by Michi1001
- Intermediate02:506.19 mi2.2 mph700 ft825 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
With a length of only ten kilometers, this stage is pleasingly short. So you can start the day relaxed and use the time to explore the unique sandstone cliffs above Rodalben in detail.
From the Hilschberghaus the path leads you along a whole series of impressive rock formations. For example, you will…
by Michi1001
- Expert06:5314.8 mi2.2 mph1,900 ft1,975 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Today the royal stage of the Palatinate Forest Path awaits you. On a route of 23 kilometers with over 500 meters of altitude you cross the Weißenberg. At 607 meters, this is the highest point of your entire tour. A fantastic forest hike through the core area of the Palatinate Forest and a unique nature…
by Michi1001
- Intermediate04:409.87 mi2.1 mph1,325 ft1,475 ftIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
No matter where you spent the night in Hauenstein, be sure to get back on the path on the northern edge of the village, you won't regret it. Look forward to a rock path of the very finest around the village to the paddling pond. From there you follow the upper reaches of the Queich through the picturesque…
by Michi1001
- Expert05:0410.6 mi2.1 mph1,575 ft1,575 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The eighth stage of the Palatinate Forest Path can hardly be surpassed in terms of spectacular highlights. You can expect bizarre rocks, vantage points and castles as well as a forest landscape full of history and legends.
First you hike up to the Hochstein, one of the numerous rocky ridges of the Dahner…
by Michi1001
- Expert05:0711.3 mi2.2 mph1,250 ft1,250 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Look forward to a worthy finale for your hike through the Palatinate Forest with some special highlights.
Berwartstein Castle awaits you shortly after you start in Erlenbach. The castle is still inhabited today and is therefore in fantastic condition. This makes it a unique example of southern German…
by Michi1001
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Collection Stats
- Tours9
- Distance91.7 mi
- Duration42:18 h
- Elevation11,175 ft11,250 ft
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