Pfälzer Höhenweg complete route

Stage 1: From Winnweiler to Dannenfels

We begin the first stage of the Pfälzer Höhenweg between the picturesque half-timbered houses of Winnweiler. A first ascent leads us up to the Kreuzkapelle Winnweiler, which is worth a visit. The pilgrimage church was built in 1728 and looms visibly on the Kreuzberg above the picturesque town. On the "Donnersberger Bauernlehrpfad" we then pass the former mining village of Imsbach, where a detour to the mining museum is worthwhile. After leaving the village, we gain insight into the former mining region via numerous information boards on the Grubenlehrpfad, which is further deepened by visits to the visitor mines "Weiße Grube" and "Grube Maria". We then continue through dense forest past Steinbach, where the path leads past the Celtic garden. After a worthwhile detour to the Celtic village, we continue hiking to Haus Wildenstein, where we can refresh ourselves with coffee and cake for the further route. Nearby rises the Reißende Fels, which is worth a detour. Shady forest paths then lead along the east slope of the Donnersberg, past the Kastanienhof inn, to the spa town of Dannenfels, where the first stage ends.

Stage 2: From Dannenfels to the Bastenhaus

In the spa town of Dannenfels we begin our second stage and start the steep ascent to the Donnersberg. On idyllic forest paths we hike past the viewing rocks Moltkefels and Hirtenfels up to part of a Celtic ring wall fortress, which was built around 150 BC on the Donnersberg. Nearby rises the 27 m high, listed Ludwigsturm, from which we can see over the Rhine plain to Frankfurt in good conditions. After a cozy stopover at the Waldhaus or the Celtic hut, we can recover from the efforts of the ascent. At the 687 m high Königsstuhl we finally reach the highest point in the Palatinate and enjoy a magnificent view over the forested summit plateau and the Donnersberg region. We then begin the steep descent into the picturesque town of Falkenstein. High above the houses towers the imposing Falkenstein castle ruin, which is also used as an open-air theatre. Directly next to the castle and a little above is also a place to eat where we can refresh ourselves for the further route. At the foot of the Donnersberg, we finally reach our stage destination Bastenhaus via beautiful forest paths along the forest edge through the Mordkammertal. On the sunny terrace of the traditional hotel we can indulge ourselves gastronomically and enjoy a beautiful view of the highest mountain in the Palatinate.

Stage 3: From the Bastenhaus to Rockenhausen

The starting point of the third stage is the almost 300-year-old "Bastenhaus". On the sunny terrace of the traditional hotel, we can still fuel up before the hike starts. Our path then leads up through shady forest to Ruppertsecken. The highest village in the Palatinate lies 498 m above sea level and offers a magnificent view of the nearby Donnersberg. After leaving the village, we begin the descent into the tranquil town of Würzweiler, which is picturesquely nestled between lush meadows and forested highlands. Past Wittgemark, we reach the idyllic Enzelbach valley via an old Roman road and descend to Rockenhausen. With a stroll through the picturesque old town with all kinds of half-timbered houses, a visit to the versatile museum world, or a stop, for example at the Schlosshotel, we let the stage end comfortably.

Stage 4: From Rockenhausen to Obermoschel

The fourth stage of the Pfälzer Höhenweg begins in Rockenhausen, where four worthwhile museums are worth a visit. After a short time, we reach the remains of the Roman "Villa Rustica" near Katzenbach, which is one of the largest excavated complexes in the West Palatinate. In a wide arc, we reach the 489 m high Stahlberg, where information boards recall former mining times. In the town of the same name, Stahlberg, there is the possibility to interrupt the tour (overnight accommodation or bus connections are available). After passing through the town, we follow comfortable forest paths and field paths with slight ascents and descents towards Obermoschel. A worthwhile detour leads to the Randeck castle ruin, which towers on the slope above Mannweiler-Cölln and offers a magnificent view over the town, the Alsenz valley, and the Donnersberg. We then continue hiking over the scenic ridge between the Moschel and Alsenz winegrowing areas to the romantic ruin Moschellandsburg, which towers on the summit of Landsberg. The castle was first documented in 1130 and was largely destroyed by a fire in 1689, so that today only an impressive gate tower and massive wall remains can be seen. Slightly below, we can stop at the castle hotel and enjoy the wonderful view. From here it is not far to our stage destination in the picturesque old town of Obermoschel.

Stage 5: From Obermoschel to Meisenheim

After a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets of Obermoschel's old town, we leave the smallest town in the Palatinate and hike up to the Kahlforsthöhe. Accompanied by great views over the Nordpfälzer highlands, the Höhenweg leads through lush fields over the Schiersfelder Höhe and steeply down to Callbach. Passing the church, we pass through the town and can refresh ourselves at the inn "Zur Traube" for the further route. In the shady hillside forest, we leave the town and follow the spacious Callbach valley northwestward. Over a ridge, we then reach the Glan, the former border river between Prussia and Bavaria. We cross the Glan bridge and enter the picturesque old town of Meisenheim through the former city gate "Untertor", which has remained almost undamaged since the 14th century.

Stage 6: From Meisenheim to Lauterecken

Between the romantic half-timbered houses of the historic center of Meisenheim, we stroll to the late Gothic castle church, where a bridge leads us over the Glan and out of the picturesque town. Over a narrow forest path, we go up to the viewpoint Juchhe, which offers a dreamy view over Meisenheim and the Glan valley. Past Gustav-Merck-Platz, where a grill spot invites you to rest, we hike through a small writers' garden settlement and cross the Glan again. An old Roman road then leads us over the ridge to the ring wall, a circular former refuge castle on Marialskopf. On idyllic forest paths, we now descend through the dense forest until we reach the picturesque town center of Lauterecken via a narrow staircase. In one of the inns, we can now comfortably conclude the stage.

Stage 7: From Lauterecken to Wolfstein

We begin the final stage of the Pfälzer Höhenweg in the old town of Lauterecken. Along the river, we cover the first kilometers and climb out of the Lauter valley near Lohnweiler to the heights. Comfortable forest and field paths lead us gently up and down to the picturesque castle ruins of Altwolfstein and Neuwolfstein, which tower on the slope above the Lauter valley. In the dense forest, the path winds further up into the so-called Königsland. The forested mountain massif includes, besides the 568 m high Königsberg, also Leienberg and Hahnenkopf, both of which we pass. At the southern end of Königsland, we reach the 546 m high Selberg. On the forested summit, there is the Selberghütte as well as a steel observation tower, which was built in 1969 and offers a wonderful panoramic view. In the shady forest, we begin the final descent and hike down between lush meadows and fields to Wolfstein in the picturesque Lauter valley. From the southern outskirts, we pass by the town hall square and reach the end of the Pfälzer Höhenweg at the train station. On the final stage, there is a connection possibility to the Veldenz hiking trail and the Remigius trail, both of which lead through the heart of the Palatinate mountainous region.