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Natural Monuments

Altschlossfelsen — Southern Section

Natural Monuments

Altschlossfelsen — Southern Section

Highlight • Natural Monument

Altschlossfelsen — Southern Section

Recommended by 453 hikers out of 461

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Biosphärenreservat Pfälzerwald-Vosges du Nord

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Location: Eppenbrunn, Südwestpfalz, Palatinate Forest, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

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Best Hikes to Altschlossfelsen — Southern Section

4.8

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1. Schöneichelsbach Pond – Finsterbach Pond loop from Eppenbrunn

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Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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2. Spießweiher – Rock glow loop from Roppeviller

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3. Hohler Felsen (Eppenbrunn) – Altschlossfelsen loop from Eppenbrunn

10.7km

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170m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

Anett 🙋🏼‍♀️

July 24, 2024

Spectacular, unique rocks. Simply worth seeing.

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DANΨ

July 8, 2025

A beautiful hiking trail along the historic rock formations near the border

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Karlheinz

October 16, 2024

The climb to the rocks is definitely worth it.

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🦣 𝕸𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖚𝖙 𝕱𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖐 🏒🥅👨🏼‍🚒🚒

October 16, 2025

The Altschlossfelsen (also known as Eppenbrunn Castle) are a group of red sandstone rocks designated as a natural monument (ND) ND-7340-205 and a cultural monument (KD) in the municipality of Eppenbrunn in the Palatinate Forest on the border with France, and are the largest rock formation in the Palatinate. They are located on the eastern slope of the Brechenberg (406 m) near Eppenbrunn and Roppeviller at an elevation of approximately 365 m above sea level at the northeast end and 380 m above sea level at the southwest end of the rock band.
The Altschlossfelsen are a group of red sandstone rocks approximately one and a half kilometers long and up to 30 meters high. The group consists of sandstone towers and walls. The Altschlossfelsen are crisscrossed by cracks and joints, some of which are wide enough to climb through. They are known primarily for their diverse weathering phenomena and rare lichens. The summit plateau can be reached from the north and south on narrow paths. There, you'll find a sparse forest and moss-covered rocks.

A special lighting situation created by the sun, the "rock glow," is best seen around 7:00 p.m. in the first half of April, depending on weather conditions, vegetation, and the position of the sun. In the morning hours, the glow occurs around 8:45 a.m.
Finds from the Hallstatt and Roman periods attest to earlier settlement of the rock group. In 1964, for example, shards from the La Tène period (c. 450–50 BC) were found. Traces of a medieval castle from the 11th or 12th century are found on the four main rocks. These include the remains of a stepped structure, post holes, remains of masonry, and notches for beams in the rock. A depression with a diameter of four meters is located on a rock, which may have served as a cistern. Additionally, on the southern and northern slopes around the rock formation, humped blocks, which may have originated from the structure of a former castle, as well as shards from the High Middle Ages were found in a wall groove. A more precise dating of the castle complex is difficult, as the castle was not mentioned before 1297 or later in the 1605 border description between Lorraine and the County of Hanau-Lichtenberg.

Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altschlossfelsen

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Becker

April 19, 2025

Very nice path section below the rock

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Roy

August 30, 2025

Over time, wind and weather have shaped the red sandstone massif, consisting of the Trippstadt and Karlstal layers, creating bizarre rock formations. Four towers standing close together and the actual main rock are clearly visible. Traces of a former fortification, probably built by the Counts of Zweibrücken-Bitche after 1279, can be found on the towers. By 1605, all traces of the castle had disappeared. In 1991, the rock massif was listed as a historical monument.
A special lighting phenomenon created by the sun, the "rock glow," is best seen around 7 p.m. in the first half of April on the southeast side of the third rock from the east (from Eppenbrunn), depending on weather conditions, vegetation, and the position of the sun.

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Elevation 430 m

Weather

Friday 14 November

16°C

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Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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Location: Eppenbrunn, Südwestpfalz, Palatinate Forest, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

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Altschlossfelsen — Southern Section

1. Schöneichelsbach Pond – Finsterbach Pond loop from Eppenbrunn

2. Spießweiher – Rock glow loop from Roppeviller

3. Hohler Felsen (Eppenbrunn) – Altschlossfelsen loop from Eppenbrunn

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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