Rodenbach Culinary Hike

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


The largest culinary hike in the Westpfalz will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Rodenbach.

For the third year, hikers will walk six kilometers on a mostly paved and stroller-friendly route leading through hilly areas with scenic views. They have the chance to taste regional and international food specialties and selected wines at nine stations.

The mayor of the Weilerbach Union Community, Anja Pfeifer, will officially open the hike at 2 p.m. Saturday, said project manager Christoph Molter.

“Last year, we counted about 10,000 participants, including 2,000 Americans,” Molter said. “We hope to be able to welcome even more this year.”

Culinary specialties will include barbecued pork and beef products, marinated chicken breast, fish filet with fresh herbs, vegetable lasagne, seafood salad, salmon filet made on a Finnish Kota grill, game bratwurst, stuffed peppers, grilled goat cheese and various gourmet specialties from Tyrol.

Vintners from the Pfalz and Rheinhessen will offer a variety of wines and prosecco. Participants have the option to buy a wine pass for €5 which includes a tasting glass that can be refilled for €1 at the wine stations.

A Tyrolian night with live music is scheduled to take place from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at Station 9. Marching bands will entertain along the route on both days.
Children can jump on a bouncy castle Saturday and Sunday, and get their faces painted Sunday. Wagon rides will be offered from Station 4 to Station 6 on Sunday.
Bathrooms will be set up along the route, as well as water stations for the dogs, which must be kept on the leash at all times.

“I hope all hikers will have a lot of fun and can admire our wonderful landscape while enjoying good food,” said Rodenbach’s mayor Georg Reuss.

Parking is available on the big parking lots in the Industriegebiet Nord (industrial area between Vogelweh and Weilerbach, along state road L367), Hans-Geiger-Strasse, 67661 Kaiserslautern. Hikers can start their route here following the signs.
The hike can get started anywhere along the route. For directions, a map and more information, visit www.kulinarische-wanderung.de.