Old Post Road Merzalben-Leimen

Lots of forest, dotted with some remarkable spots, awaits us on the hike along the old post road from Merzalben to Leimen. The walk is spiced with climbs – actually only two noteworthy ones, but they sure are tough! The starting point is the Gräfenstein Hut at the outskirts of Merzalben. Passing the hut on the left, we first follow the blue-white marking through the hollow path to the crossroads. We go straight ahead and let the "green cross" marking lead us. At the end of the climb, a reward awaits us: the Gräfenstein castle ruin. This impressive complex is one of the best-preserved Staufer castles in the Palatinate! While the walls draw our attention to their own special features, the views can also wander freely all around. A steep ascent is followed by a steep descent, but it is much shorter. The Schäferei parking lot at the end of the district road is soon reached. Opposite, we hike along the lower forest path and soon encounter the red-bar marking, which we now follow. To the left, a path leads down to the Merzalbe stream and the Karlsmill. We keep left and walk into the narrow Schamborn valley. We look at some fish ponds fed by the small Josephs stream. A beautifully located rest area with a shelter is reached shortly. Shortly after, the stream flows romantically over moss-covered natural stones down the valley, so that one might think a landscape gardener had worked here.
The path winds a short piece uphill and shortly afterward, a narrow triangular rock slab catches our eye on the left: the Fritz Claus Monument. Opposite, a narrow path with the marking "3" leads up to the rock formations "Geissenschlupf." On nice days, you can watch climbers here. Along mighty rocks and through a "rock gate," the path follows the signs leading left up a short zigzag steep path to the "Most Beautiful View." A rock ledge opens free views over the Merzalb valley and parts of Merzalben. Back on the main route, we now pass the Geisaustein, a memorial stone for the "Gräfenstein subjects" from the year 1791. Shortly after, we cross the recreational area of Leimen. We follow the marking "white cross" at the Ringelsberg town exit towards the rock path. Here, a detour to the Hubertus rock, an exceptionally attractive rock formation, is worthwhile. Back on the main route, marked "white cross," the path steadily descends through the forest. Through Merzalben, we reach the Gräfenstein Hut again.