Dominik Ketz
Pfälzer Waldpfad — old forests and red rocks
Hiking Collection by komoot
6-13
days
3-6 h
/ day
90.3 mi
10,725 ft
10,825 ft
Extensive ranges of hills, dense woods, untouched valleys and sparkling streams - the Palatinate Forest is a real jewel among the German forests.
Covering an area of over 1,700 square kilometers (1,000 miles), the forest is the largest contiguous forest area in Germany. In contrast to many other German forests, you will find here almost exclusively natural forests without fast-growing pine or spruce trees. On the excellently signposted Pfälzer Waldpfad (Palatinate Forest Trail) you will travel 145 kilometers (90 miles) from north to south through the entire forest.
In addition to lonely forest trails, the region is characterized by numerous streams and natural ponds, which you can find again and again along the wayside in idyllic nature. A special highlight, however, is the rock formations in the southern part of the Palatinate Forest. The red sandstone is stronger here than in the surrounding mountains and has thus withstood the erosion more strongly. Today, the sometimes mighty and sometimes bizarre rocks rise above the surrounding treetops as towers, ridges and rock plateaus. Many of them can also be ascended without climbing equipment and above you can enjoy unique views of the green mountain ranges of the Palatinate and the Wasgau.
The Pfälzer Waldpfad leads you to picturesque small towns and secluded hiking homes. Here you can spend the night comfortably and replenish your provisions because not all hikes offer the possibility to stop for lunch. But you're not going to let that stop you. Grab your hiking boots and let the forest enchant you.
On The Map
Do it yourself
Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.
Last updated: November 23, 2021
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
All stages of the Pfälzer Waldpfad
- Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate04:5010.5 mi2.2 mph1,425 ft1,225 ft
Your hike on the Pfälzer Waldpfad starts at the station in Kaiserslautern. After just a few steps you leave the city behind you and follow the path up to the Great Humberg.
After the steep ascent you continue up to the Humberg tower. Once at the top you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of your hiking…
by komoot
- Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate03:157.42 mi2.3 mph750 ft250 ft
The second day of hiking is dedicated to the Moosalbe, the 26 kilometer long tributary to the Schwarzbach. Since at the time of industrialization, numerous water-driven hammer mills were founded on the Moosalbe, it is referred to by the residents as Hammerbach.
At the beginning of your tour, you will…
by komoot
Sign Up To Discover Places Like This
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
- Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate04:018.89 mi2.2 mph900 ft1,025 ft
Your third stage of the day leads over particularly lonely and natural forest paths and leaves you completely to rest.
From Johanniskreuz it goes first to the Burgalbsprung and the Burgalbweiher. The Burgalbe, which rises here, is the most important tributary to the Schwarzbach, the third largest river…
by komoot
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Difficult05:1111.3 mi2.2 mph1,250 ft1,600 ft
On your fourth stage, the landscape slowly changes along your hiking trail. In the southern Palatinate Forest, numerous red sandstone cliffs can be found on the wooded ridge, which has been shaped by erosion over centuries into spectacular rock formations.
After a forest, you will reach the first of these…
by komoot
- Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate02:516.25 mi2.2 mph700 ft825 ft
With only 10 kilometers, the tenth stage is pleasingly short. So you have a perfect chance to explore the unique sandstone rocks above Rodalben in detail.
The trail leads you along impressive rock formations. Here you pass the Saufelsen, the Rappenteichfelsen and the Rappenköpfe. Some of the rocks are…
by komoot
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Difficult06:3614.3 mi2.2 mph1,725 ft1,800 ft
The short fifth stage is now followed by the queen stage of the Pfälzer Waldweg. Not only do you expect a distance of 23 kilometers and a climb of more than 500 vertical meters, you also climb to the Weißenberg. At 607 meters, this is the highest point of the entire hike.
It is best to start early, so…
by komoot
- Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate04:409.96 mi2.1 mph1,275 ft1,425 ft
The seventh stage takes you first from Hauenstein over the paddle pond into the picturesque Stephanstal. Through the small valley runs the upper reaches of the Queich, one of the four major rivers of the Palatinate Forest. Here the stream is still narrow and gurgles peacefully in its stream bed.
At the…
by komoot
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Difficult05:0010.6 mi2.1 mph1,525 ft1,525 ft
The eighth stage is hard to beat for spectacular highlights. Rock walls, viewpoints and castles, this stage offers you everything.
The Pfälzer Waldweg takes you first up to the Hochstein, a rocky ridge of the Dahn Rockland. High above the city and the trees you have a great view of the landscape and the…
by komoot
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Difficult05:0411.3 mi2.2 mph1,175 ft1,175 ft
Your ninth and last stage will offer you a worthy finale for your hike through the Palatinate Forest.
Shortly after your start the castle Berwartstein awaits you. The castle is still inhabited and is in fantastic condition. This is a unique testimony to the southern German castle construction and the…
by komoot
Like this Collection?
Collection Stats
- Tours9
- Distance90.3 mi
- Duration41:28 h
- Elevation10,725 ft10,825 ft
You Might Also Like
Hiking Collection by komoot
Hiking Collection by komoot
Hiking Collection by Westerwald - Die Urlaubsregion
Hiking Collection by Sarah