International long-distance hiking trail Donnersberg/Pfalz - Donon/Alsace (German section)

We start our multi-day route at Forsthaus/Pfalz and hike through shady forests up to Donnersberg. The 27-meter-high Ludwig Tower on Donnersberg offers one of the most magnificent views over the Pfälzer Bergland, the Alzeyer Hill Country, and the Rhine Plain.

We leave Donnersberg and walk down to Falkenstein, which also holds the title "Most Beautiful Village in the Palatinate." The picturesque village nestled against a high rock is dominated by the Falkenstein castle ruins. The path continues through the Falkenstein Valley to Winnweiler in the Alsenz Valley. Mining enthusiasts should make a detour to the Palatinate Mining Museum in Insbach and the visitor mine "Weiße Grube."

Our next stage destination is Kaiserslautern, which should be worth a visit not only for football fans. A stroll through the old town passes landmarks such as the imperial palace of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, the collegiate church, the largest late Gothic hall church in southwest Germany, and the Casimir Palace, the former Renaissance castle of the hunter from Kurpfalz.

Our hike continues past the Fritz Walter Stadium back into the Pfälzerwald to Trippstadt. Beyond Merzalben, we enter the beautiful Lauter Valley, which leads us into the Dahner Felsenland, the largest Buntsandstein rock landscape in Europe. Behind Nothweiler, the border with France is reached. Those who want to hike further will be led to the Donon in Alsace, which is over 1000 meters high.

Text: Landesamt für Vermessung und Geobasisinforamtion Rheinland-Pfalz