Twitter
Facebook
Palatium
The Pfälzerwald, or Palatinate Forest, is one of Germany’s largest connected forest areas. Romans that settled 2,000 years ago gave it its name. The Pfälzerwald has a total area of 1770 square kilometers (683 square miles) and covers about one third of the complete Pfalz Region. The City of Kaiserslautern aced it and is situated in a valley right in the heart of it.
Apart from the actual forest and natural habitat for an array of domestic animals, it also offers spectacular attractions. For example, a fabulous view over the countryside from Donnersberg at an altitude of 686 meters (2250 feet), just north of Winnweiler. Celts also favored this spot about 3,000 years ago and a restructured village can be visited in Steinbach. The village is currently undergoing renovations but is expected to re-open later in the fall. Stay tuned for updates at https://www.keltendorf-steinbach.de/
Steam engines and a historic castle
Another great way to experience the forest is a picturesque train ride from Kaiserslautern through Neustadter Valley. There you can board a historic steam engine train and enjoy a relaxing ride in slow motion. Neustadt/Weinstrasse is a cozy city with half-timbered houses, small alley ways and a large market square with a stunning church.
Hambach Castle is an attraction in Neustadt’s city section Hambach. The castle is embedded at the fringe of the forest and holds historical significance as Germany’s “cradle of democracy,” when citizens stood up in opposition to the Bavarian government in 1832. Germany’s black, red and golden flag was first introduced at that time. The vista over the vineyards along the “Deutsche Weinstrasse” is magnificent and on sunny, clear days you can see all the way to Mannheim.
Richard the Lionhearted
Past the highest mountain in the area the “Kalmit,” the trails will lead you past Landau and Wissembourg, France, to nearby Trifels Castle on a hilltop in Annweiler. There, none other than “Richard the Lionhearted,” King of England, was held captive in 1193 for about a year until a ransom of 23 tons of silver was paid for his release. In addition, there are a number of “Pfälzerwaldhütten” along the many trails, consisting of cozy wooden cottages that usually offer food and drinks for hikers. Annweiler is also host of the Keschdefeschd on Oct. 3 and 4, where visitors can enjoy anything and everything that has to do with chestnuts.
House of Sustainability
The forest is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the Palatinate Forest and Northern Vosges are celebrating their 27th anniversary this year with a number of special events. The “Haus der Nachhaltigkeit” (House of Sustainability) is located near Trippstadt and offers a garden with domestic plants, a delicious buffet for butterflies, an orchard with almost extinct fruits, a climate station, a picnic area with playground and trees to climb on. Seminar rooms can be booked for conferences, and the center offers a treasure chest of information regarding nature protection and sustainability. For details see: https://hdn.wald.rlp.de/
Dahner Felsenland
Just nearby in Dahn, the forest shows yet another face, the Dahner Felsenland is a fascinating world of bizarre sandstone formations such as the “Teufelsfelsen” (devil’s rock). Hiking fans can also venture into neighboring France and experience yet another section of the forest leading up to the historic City of Bitche with a mighty citadel and its Garden for Peace alongside a historic city center.
The Palatinate Forest has a total of 5,000 kilometers of hiking and walking trails on a network stretching north-south, east-west or even crisscrossing. There are 272 different trails to choose from and Landstuhl opened two new premium trails in Karlstalschlucht (valley) just past Hohenecken.
The longer one is for passionate hiking fans and the second, shorter round for a more relaxed walk on fastened trails. Some communities offer culinary hikes on paved walkways where you can enjoy a leisure walk, dine and wine along the way while experiencing incredible views.
Take a walk on the wild side
For those that are not quite so fond of hiking, but enjoy leisurely nature walks, Wildpark Betzenberg offers great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and see a variety of flora and fauna in the local area. Located in east Kaiserslautern, behind Kleber Kaserne and across from Gasthaus Quack, it is also home to the Palatinate forest and many species of animals such as wild horses.
The park spans 25 hectares, and the large premises are inhabited by many different animals, including aurochs and wild horses, called tarpans. Does, fawns and bucks graze in grassy enclosures. Wild boar and piglets splash in the mud, while goats and their kids play chase. Wisents, the European bison and an endangered species, are cautiously kept in a separate corral, and the fluffy calves may curiously walk up to the fence.
A 1.5 km long water pipeline was installed and covered feeding sheds also serve as protection against wind and rain. The wild boar enclosure has a muddy area where animals like to dig and roll around. A large grassy area with trees is provided for deer and goats. Fir trees offer a natural roof for the grazing animals and observing visitors.
A walk may be especially charming in late September or early October when the trees turn yellow, orange and red during “Altweibersommer” (old wives’ summer). Visitors are advised that due to uneven inclines and natural, unpaved forest paths, mobility for handicapped individuals is rather limited and appropriate footwear is recommended. www.wildpark-kaiserslautern.de
No matter where you go or what you decide to do, it is high time to don your hiking boots and hit the trails. For inspiration and routes as well as resting areas, visit: https://www.alltrails.com/parks/germany/rhineland-palatinate/naturpark-pfalzerwald
