Hikes in Kollweiler

A hike from Hotel Birnbaumhof in Schwedelbach to the farmers' market in Schneckenhausen following markings of the Pfälzerwald-Verein. The last 1.5 km are unmarked!

A hike on Pfälzerwald-Verein markings from Hotel Birnbaumhof in Schwedelbach to the Glan-Münchweiler train station.

A hike on Pfälzerwald-Verein markings from Hotel Birnbaumhof in Schwedelbach to the farmers' market in Herschweiler-Pettersheim.

A hike following Pfälzerwald-Verein markings from the Hotel Felschbachhof in Ulmet to the Hotel Birnbachhof in Schwedelbach;

The 15-kilometer circular route leads through the communities of Erzenhausen and Eulenbis, with some minor inclines to overcome. Worth seeing along the way are the Erzenhausen dripstone cave, the Beerewei(n) museum, and the fruit tree educational path in Eulenbis, as well as the wonderful view from the old Roman road.  

A public hike April 2017. Hiking guide was: District hiking warden Axel Lenz. Address for Pfälzerwald enthusiasts at www.pwv.de

We started from the parking lot at the playground in Erzenhausen

Nice tour, a bit too much asphalt for my taste but still nice views

Motto 2017 "To viewing towers in the Palatinate" here: "To the Owl's Head Tower at Eulenbis"on Saturday, April 22, 2017 Hiking route approx. 17 km,from Wolfstein– Pfingstweide – Altwolfstein castle ruins – Neuwolfstein – Schmelzerkopf – Selberg – Rothselberg – Eulenbis –  Owl Tower  Short hike to Rothselberg, approx. 8 km At the intermediate stop in Rothselberg, a snack was offered. The final stop took place at the Owl Tower, organized by the Owl Head Association.

​In the 19th and early 20th centuries, there were few job opportunities in the Western Palatinate. Industrial enterprises existed only in the major cities, and the often small farms in the villages primarily produced enough to meet their own needs. As a result, many people set out for distant lands to earn a living as traveling musicians. On every continent, they performed as street musicians, in renowned circus companies, or in large orchestras. The money they earned was enough to support their families, some of whom had to wait years for the return of their husband or father.The “Palatinate Musicians’ Trail” serves as a memorial to the “Mackenbachers”—the colloquial term for traveling musicians. Along the 29-kilometer route, numerous overlooks offering sweeping views of the Palatinate Highlands invite you to linger. This also symbolizes the musicians who once set out for distant lands. Along the way, several information panels provide interesting facts about the history of the traveling musicians.Although the hiking route doesn’t span continents, it does wind through a diverse region that invites you to relax and enjoy yourself. The trail alternates between fields, forests, and meadows. Here you’ll discover the typical “musicians’ villages” of Jettenbach and Mackenbach, where most of the wandering musicians of the Western Palatinate originated. The musicians’ houses, which can still be found today, bear witness to this history.A special natural landmark along the tour is located in Erzenhausen: the so-called “Stalactite Cave,” a former experimental tunnel used for ore mining. From mid-April to mid-September, the approximately 75-meter-long cave can be explored on your own.And for those looking to cool off during a hike in the summer months, we recommend the Kneipp facilities in Kollweiler, at the Langenfelderhof in Mackenbach, and at the village square in Schwedelbach.The small historic town center of Reichenbach-Steegen—one of the starting points—is also worth a detour. And anyone who wants to learn more about the wandering musicians should visit the West Palatinate Musicians’ Museum in Mackenbach. There, the tradition of wandering musicians comes to life in many different ways.Be sure to try the “Musikantenbrot” (musicians’ bread) or a “Musikantenbratwurst” (musicians’ bratwurst), both offered by local family-run businesses.The tour follows natural trails as well as paved paths through the picturesque communities.There are restaurants and options for self-catering in all the towns (please inquire about opening hours).