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Hiking Trail
· Pfälzerwald
Mysterious time signs - Monks' Route I & II
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Mysterious SignsPhoto: Ivonne Christmann, Archiv VG Enkenbach-Aslenborn
In the northern area of the Palatinate Forest, there is an extraordinary number of prehistoric barrows connected by a network of walking routes.
Monks' Route I: approx. 12 km, walking time: approx. 3 hrs, starting options in Hochspeyer, Daubenbornerhof and Fischbach
Monks' Route II: approx. 13.5 km, walking time: approx. 3.5 hrs, starting options in Hochspeyer.
Located around Hochspeyer are two hiking routes of 12 km and 13.5 km each, named the "Monks' Route". The name derives from monks who have been proven since the 12th century, partly on this route, to have traveled from their home monastery Otterberg to their estates as well as to the city of Kaiserslautern and back. The course of the Monks' Route itself is based on the records of the Jewish local historian of Hochspeyer, Leopold Seeh (1873 - 1937), who is buried in the local cemetery. He was already fascinated by the appealing landscape and documented the route to inspire his readers and encourage exploration of the area. This succeeds then as now.
The route passes numerous historical witnesses, to which information is provided by signposts. The spectrum of these witnesses ranges from prehistory to almost the present. On the Monks' Routes I and II, the current findings are shown without changes.
The human remains and grave goods once provided have usually perished today. Therefore, no precise statements are possible anymore. The investigation of such graves in the area shows they were burials of the local population. These contained grave goods, which were everyday objects. Noble graves, such as those in Bad Dürkheim and Rodenbach, were splendid, however without records from that time. Generally, the human remains and accessories from these burials have mostly vanished today and are only visible to the knowledgeable archaeologist by soil discolorations. Furthermore, the path passes Roman and early modern witnesses; boundary stones inform about the former ownership conditions and earthworks recall the war against Prussians and Austrians against French. The Heiligenberg tunnel, an architectural masterpiece of its time, is still used today for railway transport.
In the area of the "Magic Forest" finally, an attentive eye and imagination are advantageous:
The goal is to find the hidden. Walk, discover and experience the mysterious time signs of the Monks' Route!
Starting points:
- Hochspeyer: Hauptstraße 121
- Hochspeyer: Kirchstraße 120,67691 Hochspeyer
- Hochspeyer: B37, Auf dem Stich
- Hochspeyer: Zum Eichwald
- Fischbach: Sports ground, Frontalstraße
Author’s recommendation
Dining options:
- Country Inn Daubenbornerhof, Daubenbornerhof 9, 67677 Enkenbach-Alsenborn
- Geyersberger Hof, Geyersbergerhof 10, 67691 Hochspeyer
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Landgasthof DaubenbornerhofCafé Loch 19 auf dem Geyersberger Hof
Zum Rathaus
Safety information
UFFBASSE! - Campaign for a considerate coexistence in nature
- Fire & smoking - Making fire, smoking, and grilling are strictly forbidden in the forest and must be avoided at all costs! Fires and thus major damage to nature and wildlife can only be prevented this way.
- Act considerately on the way - Always behave in a considerate, friendly, and courteous manner towards everyone you meet along the way.
- Nature conservation - Stay on designated paths and avoid unnecessary noise when you are in nature. Leave the forest by dusk at the latest to not disturb the rhythm of nocturnal animals.
- Picnic & trash - Remember a trash bag for the way and take your waste back home with you. Use only the furnished rest areas for breaks and picnics.
- Leash dogs - Please always keep your dog on a leash. Other visitors and animals will thank you.
More info at www.pfalz.de/uffbasse
Tips and suggestions
In the northern area of the Palatinate Forest, east of Kaiserslautern, there is an extraordinary number of prehistoric barrows. Over 300 burial sites are known and probably form the largest contiguous occurrence in Germany. The area lies in the center of what was once Celtic settlement land, in sight of the Donnersberg, on which over 2000 years ago one of the largest Celtic towns was located. Besides these burial sites, there are many other traces and signs left by the people of past times. Much of this has not yet been scientifically researched and often lies inconspicuously hidden in the forests. Some may perhaps remain mysterious forever. In a joint project of the involved municipalities Hochspeyer, Fischbach, Enkenbach-Alsenborn and Mehlingen, a network of walking routes totaling 60 km was created in 2008. This connects over 50 stations of often "mysterious time signs" with each other.
Those who have undertaken these discovery tours will perceive our region with different eyes in the future and possibly uncover further mysterious relics.
Landgasthof Daubenbornerhof
Swin-Golf
Café Loch 19 auf dem Geyersberger Hof
Zum Rathaus
St. Laurentius Kirche kath. in Hochspeyer
Schützenverein Hochspeyer
Freibad Hochspeyer
prot. Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche Hochspeyer
Public transport
Get Timetable to destination
Parking
- Daubenbornerhof 9, 67677 Enkenbach-Alsenborn
Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Of course! The right hiking equipment is crucial for an enjoyable and safe experience in nature. Here are some important items you should consider:
- Backpack: Choose a comfortable backpack with enough space for your gear. Look for padded shoulder straps and a hip belt for better carrying comfort.
- Shoes: Good hiking shoes are essential. They should be waterproof, breathable, and well broken-in to prevent blisters.
- Clothing: Layer your clothing to adapt to changing weather conditions. Functional underwear, insulating layers, and a waterproof jacket are recommended.
- Water and snacks: Stay hydrated and bring energy-rich snacks to keep your energy up during the hike.
- Navigation: A map, compass, or GPS device are important to find your way in nature.
- First aid kit: A small first aid kit can be very helpful in emergencies.
- Tools: A multitool or pocket knife can be useful for solving minor problems on the way.
- Sun protection: Don’t forget to take sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from UV rays.
- Trekking poles: These can help relieve your joints and improve balance, especially on uneven terrain.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions