Bienwald nature reserve

Palatinate insider tips - Bienwald
The Bienwald biotope mosaic
Dry dunes and wet alder swamp forests. Meadows and pastures. Wild cats and wild bees. The Bienwald, located in the very south of the Palatinate on the French border, is the largest forest area in the Palatinate Rhine plain, covering around 12,000 hectares. It is roughly divided into wetter areas with lots of deciduous trees, especially oaks, to the west of the federal highway 9, and drier regions with lots of pine trees to the east of the north-south arterial road. All in all, this results in a diverse mosaic of different biotope types, which make up a very special attraction. Last but not least, the Bienwald as such is a so-called stepping stone biotope, which creates a connecting corridor from the Rhine to the Palatinate Forest. Some rare animal and plant species thrive here. To ensure that this remains the case, a comprehensive visitor guidance concept ensures that the experience of nature is facilitated on the one hand and sensitive forest areas are protected on the other.
A total of 229 kilometres of hiking trails and 142 kilometres of cycle paths have been newly marked so that hikers and cyclists can find their way along the sometimes winding paths. These lead past Roman milestones, Celtic graves and Westwall bunkers.

One example is the ‘Schaidter Westwallweg’, which combines nature experiences and historical information on a nine-kilometre circular route. Interesting facts are conveyed along the way using various information boards or digitally via the ‘Actionbound’ app. Hump lines, rifle emplacements and bunker ruins, all relics of the massive fortifications between Germany and France, are not only witnesses to history, but now provide valuable habitats for bats and lizards.
How nature removes the traces of terrible wars is particularly evident in the oversized anti-tank ditches: over time, these have become beautiful water landscapes. The route also crosses the ‘Mundatweg’, which ‘marks’ the former border between the Weißenburg monastery and the diocese of Speyer. Today, parts of the border between the districts of Germersheim and Südliche Weinstraße run along here. Another highlight of the circular walk is the Bismarck Oak, which is one of the mightiest trees of its kind in the Bienwald. At chest height, it has a circumference of around 5.5 metres. The oak is estimated to be between 300 and 350 years old. It was named after the first Chancellor of the German Reich, Prince Otto von Bismarck.

It is a tradition in the Bienwald that characteristic and strong oaks remain standing, although the tree species has been an important economic factor in forestry for many centuries. There are now around 50 so-called strong oaks, all of which have a circumference of more than four metres. Oaks also feel particularly at home in the biotope mosaic because the soil and moisture conditions here are ideal.

Why not discover the diverse flora and fauna of the Bienwald on the Schaidter Westwallweg or one of the other numerous hiking trails. Further information on hiking trails and guided tours in the Bienwald can be found here . Information on cycle paths can be found here.

Opening times

The Bienwald is accessible year-round.