Keschde Nature Trail

As you make your way through the following 12 stations along the loop trail, you’ll learn and experience everything there is to know about the Keschde. The loop trail is 6.1 km long and has an elevation gain of 108 meters. The hike takes about 2 hours, and along the way you’ll come across exciting stations and picnic spots with great views. All you have to do is follow the Keschde—it’ll show you the way.

The starting point is the Ahlmühle hiking parking lot above Annweiler, where you’ll find the first information board about the Keschde as well as a small play station. The play station consists of wooden logs that have been partially stacked on top of one another, similar to the game of Mikado. If you continue straight ahead following the little Keschde, you’ll reach the next station.

The next station is called“Forest Types,” where you’ll find small windows. If you look through them, you’ll see how the forest has changed over time.

Following the loop trail and the little Keschde, you’ll reach the“Waldgestalter” station. Sweet chestnut trees aren’t just versatile in terms of their uses; they also play a crucial role in shaping the forest and influencing the climate.

The little Keschde leads you to the next station,“Echt öko,” where you can learn about all the things that can be made from chestnut wood. You’ll find the best examples of this along the entire loop trail, since both the picnic areas and the play stations are made of chestnut wood.

The loop trail continues to the second starting point of the Keschde Adventure Trail: the Slevogthof hiking parking lot. To reach the next station, walk past the Slevogthof on the left. Note: this is where the Keschde Adventure Trail crosses the Pälzer Keschdeweg! Just be sure to always look for the small Keschde signs!

At the next stop, you can learn more about the history of chestnut trees in the Palatinate. The Romans brought the chestnut tree to the Palatinate long ago and helped it take root here. In the meadow behind the seating area, you’ll find an old winemaking method and enjoy a beautiful view of the Rhine Valley.

The little Keschde will then guide you along the edge of the forest to the“Partners and Risks” station. With the small puzzle, you’ll get to know other tree species and learn what their leaves, flowers, fruits, and wood look like. With the three-piece puzzle next to it, you’ll learn about the threats to the chestnut population in our forests. But you’ll also learn that chestnut trees have many friends and partners in the forest.

The Keschde Nature Trail leads you to the next station, “Regions of Origin of the Sweet Chestnut.” Along the path to the station, you’ll see that new chestnut trees from various regions of southwestern Germany have been planted there. This way, the foresters want to see if these trees can thrive here as well.

The next station,“Climate Change,” is located right in front of a meadow and the Kaltenbrunn spring. The information sign tells you that chestnut trees like warm climates and that they’re also adapting well to current climate change. That’s why these trees are often planted among other trees in the forest to make the forest more resilient.

Now you’ll need to walk across the meadow to continue following the Keschde downhill along the paved road. Your next stop is called “Successful Integration.” There, you’ll learn that chestnut trees provide shelter and habitat for numerous species. The chestnut tree is fully integrated into the Palatinate.

At the end of this small road, turn left into the Ranschbach Rosental—don’t be alarmed; you might encounter Highland cattle here, grazing contentedly in free-range pastures. Continuing along the Keschde and the adventure trail, you’ll reach the station “It’s All About the Keschde.” Here you’ll find hammocks made of chestnut wood. There, you can take your time observing the treetops and the sky and let your mind wander! Things are anything but quiet at the fall festivals and markets centered around the chestnut. Here you can sample delicious chestnut-based specialties. Guided tours and hikes following the trail of the Keschde are also offered. Note that the Keschde Adventure Trail crosses the Pälzer Keschdeweg here as well! Just be sure to keep an eye out for the small “Keschde” signs!

You can continue following the trail of the Keschde by walking straight ahead, always staying on the wide path. This will take you to the final stop,“Rundum lecker,” located in front of the original starting point, the Ahlmühle hiking parking lot. At this stop, it’s all about food, because chestnuts are a healthy, regional food that’s frequently found in Palatinate cuisine. For example, chestnuts are used to enhance the flavor of bratwurst or tarte flambée.

We hope you have a great time on the Keschde Adventure Trail!