Kleine Kalmit

The Kleine Kalmit is located in the east of the Palatinate Forest Nature Park near the wine and holiday resort of Ilbesheim. The name "Kleine Kalmit" comes from the Latin term calvus mons, which means bald mountain. It was formed during the subsidence of the Rhine Graben 30 million years ago as a deposit of shell limestone. 

The white-gray Tertiary limestone is covered by a thin layer of humus. Here, among other things, the rare kitchen bellflower and various species of orchids thrive. Additionally, the Kleine Kalmit provides habitat for numerous rare species of spiders and butterflies. Due to this unique flora and fauna, the Kleine Kalmit has been declared a nature reserve.

In the past, the Kleine Kalmit was considered a weather mountain and home to weather witches. There were often processions up to the summit cross to pray for good weather. The Mater-Dolorosa Chapel was built in 1851 by a priest from the neighboring community of Arzheim as a "comfort for the poor souls."

Around the Kleine Kalmit, the Kalmit Festival takes place every year at the end of July, named the most beautiful wine festival of the Palatinate 2004.

Picnic in Nature

Whether on a hike or a bike ride: A picnic in the great outdoors is a special experience – especially with regional specialties from the Palatinate! To keep nature as undisturbed as possible, please use only designated rest areas. In forests and vineyards, there are often no trash bins to avoid attracting wildlife and to keep the landscape clean.

Therefore, the rule is: Everything you bring with you should also be taken back. Food leftovers and packaging can be dangerous for animals and often take decades to decompose. Dispose of your waste responsibly and thus protect the unique nature of the Palatinate!

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