Hikes in Reichenbach-Steegen

A beautiful circular hike from the village of Reichenbach-Steegen to the Potzberg with great views.

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;

beautiful panoramic circular route with views of the Nordpfälzer Bergland and the Sickinger Höhe

The route winds up and down around Reichenbach for over 11 kilometers—after all, we’re testing out the high-altitude tour, which promises great views and interesting facts about the Röhnrads.

Moderate circular tour with beautiful views in the Westrich

​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).

Michelsruhe - Pentagonal Stone - Jakob's Well

Beautiful tour to Kranichwoog near Hütschenhausen - then continue via Hauptstuhl - Fleischäckerloch - Kirchberg-Bismarckturm - Burg Nanstein - Bärenlochweiher - AirBase airfield - Ramstein-Miesenbach - Kottweiler-Schwanden - Albersbach