View from Kleine Kalmit

The Kleine Kalmit is located in the east of the Palatinate Forest Nature Park near the wine and holiday resort of Ilbesheim. The name "Little Kalmit" comes from the Latin term calvus mons, which means bare mountain. It was created when the Rhine graben subsided 30 million years ago as a deposit of shell limestone.The white-grey Tertiary limestone is covered by a thin layer of humus. Among other things, the rare pasque flower and various types of orchids thrive here. The Kleine Kalmit also offers a habitat for numerous rare species of spiders and butterflies. Because of this unique flora and fauna, the Kleine Kalmit was declared a nature reserve.The Kleine Kalmit used to be considered the weather mountain and the home of the weather witches. There were often processions up to the summit cross to ask for good weather. The Mater Dolorosa Chapel was built in 1851 by a priest from the neighboring community of Arzheim to “comfort the poor souls”.The Kalmit Festival, the most beautiful wine festival in the Palatinate in 2004, takes place around the Kleine Kalmit every year at the end of July.

This place is ideal for a picnic. There are several picnic and relaxation benches on the Kleine Kalmit, for example at the chapel, under the linden trees or at the Kalmitwingert. To be on the safe side, you should pack a blanket so you can escape to the meadow.

Short climb, great view