Mehlinger Heide

Some parts of what is now Mehlinger Heide had already been designed as a military training area at the time of the First World War.

In the years 1937 to 1945, the site was used by the German Armed Forces, and once the war had ended the French forces stationed there took over the facility. A smaller section in the east had been used by US forces, first as a missile base and then as a telecommunications unit. As part of disarmament operations after the end of the Cold War, the French garrison in Kaiserslautern was disbanded and the training area was returned to the Federal Republic of Germany on 17 June 1992. The U.S. areas were returned on 18 February 1994.

The area is divided into what is known as the "Großer Fröhnerhof" and the "Kleiner Fröhnerhof" and covers a total area of approximately 410 ha.

In the summer of 1992, the Ministry of the Environment of Rhineland-Palatinate sought protected status for the area on account of the special flora and fauna that had become apparent as a result of its military use.

It was only when the training area was cleared that it became possible to find a route for the motorway that was acceptable to the local community of Mehlingen. This is why it took until 13 December 2001 for the legal ordinance on the "Mehlinger Heide Nature Reserve" to be issued (published in the Rhineland-Palatinate State Gazette of 4 February 2002, No. 4, p. 251).

Access to the site is only permitted on 2 marked main trails in order to minimise the impact on nature conservation. Due to the large number of tank tracks, it is therefore essential to establish structural guidance measures.

Rest areas in the form of simple, sturdy wooden benches were built along the hiking trails in order to make the area more appealing.

The entrance to the Heath Adventure Trail, which leads through a heath area that is also well worth a visit, is situated on the edge of the site (east of the A63), near the Fröhnerhof heath car park. A nature trail marked with a black owl with a green ribbon leads past a "green classroom", a scented didactic centre, an "insect hotel" and other attractions.

The larger heathland area can be reached by crossing the A63 (from the Fröhnerhof car park or from the second northern entrance in the industrial area near the Becker company). The Heath Trail ("Heideweg") is signposted with a black owl and pink ribbon. On the knoll at the point called "Höhe 325", there is a viewing platform with an octagonal wooden pavilion with a slightly inclined roof (following the design in the outdoor area of the Fischbach Biosphere House near Dahn). From this so-called "Feldherrenhügel" ("Commanders' Hill"), you have a wonderful view over the 400-hectare nature reserve, which includes parts of the districts of Mehlingen, Baalborn and Neukirchen.

A third path, signposted with a black owl on a yellow ribbon, leads to the Forest Trail ("Waldweg"), which is connected to the Heath Trail ("Heideweg"). All trails are shown on a map on a display board at the entrances.

At the exits to the north and west you have access to the Hinkelstein Trail ("Hinkelsteinweg") and the High Rock Trail ("Hochfelsweg") of the Mysterious Time Signs ("Rätselhafte Zeitzeichen").

Opening times

Monday	00:00–24:00
Tuesday	00:00–24:00
Wednesday	00:00–24:00
Thursday	00:00–24:00
Friday	00:00–24:00
Saturday	00:00–24:00
Sunday	00:00–24:00

The Mehlinger Heide is a nature reserve that is open year-round.

Price:

Admission is free.