Palatinate Forest

#3047 among destinations in Germany

National park

Gallery (9)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / Public Domain / McD / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Immanuel Giel / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 de / Antifaschist 666 / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Immanuel Giel / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 / PuppetMaster / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Awilms / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Awilms / URL

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the southwestern corner of Germany, the Palatinate Forest is a region of stunning natural beauty. With its lush greenery, rolling hills, and picturesque villages, this area of the Rhineland-Palatinate region is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The Palatinate Forest is a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers, with an extensive network of well-marked trails that wind through the forest and up to its peaks. The region's highest mountain, the Kalmit, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and is a popular destination for those seeking a challenging hike. For those who prefer a more leisurely stroll, there are plenty of gentle paths that meander through the forest, allowing visitors to soak up the tranquility of their surroundings.

In addition to its natural beauty, the Palatinate Forest is also home to a number of charming villages and towns, each with its own unique character and history. The town of Wilgartswiesen, for example, is known for its traditional half-timbered houses and its proximity to the Luitpoldturm, a historic tower that offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can also explore the region's rich cultural heritage at the numerous museums and galleries that are scattered throughout the area.

For those seeking a taste of local cuisine, the Palatinate Forest does not disappoint. The region is renowned for its hearty and flavorful dishes, with specialties such as saumagen (stuffed pig's stomach) and bratwurst featuring prominently on many menus. In addition to its traditional fare, the area is also home to a number of excellent wineries, where visitors can sample the region's famous Riesling and Dornfelder wines.

Local name: Pfälzerwald Area: 683.79 mi²Elevation: 1020 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 49°14'11"N, 7°47'3"E

Location

Rhineland-PalatinateGermany

Contact

Website

Social media

Add

Day trips

Palatinate Forest – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Teufelstisch, Lemberg Castle, Burg Gräfenstein, German Shoe Museum.

3.4 miSW
Climbing, Outdoor activities
Teufelstisch
87 min walk • Perched in the heart of the Palatinate Forest in Germany, Teufelstisch, or the Devil's Table, presents an awe-inspiring spectacle that seems to defy gravity. This natural rock formation, resembling a gigantic table, has become a beacon for climbers and nature...
7 miSW
Forts and castles
Lemberg Castle
179 min walk • Lemberg Castle, perched atop a hill in the picturesque region of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, is a historical edifice that offers a journey back to the medieval era. This castle, though not as widely recognized as some of its counterparts, is a hidden gem that boasts...
1.3 miW
Forts and castles, Historical place, View point
Burg Gräfenstein
33 min walk • Perched atop the Palatinate Forest in Germany, Burg Gräfenstein stands as a testament to medieval architecture and the enduring allure of historical fortifications. This castle, a cultural emblem of the region, dates back to the 13th century, with its construction...
4.6 miSE
Museum, Specialty museum
German Shoe Museum
117 min walk • The German Shoe Museum, nestled in the heart of Germany, stands as a testament to the country's rich history and culture in shoemaking. This unique museum is dedicated to the art and craft of footwear, spanning from ancient times to the contemporary fashion scene.
5.2 miS
Forts and castles
Neudahn Castle, Dahn
133 min walk • The rock castle of Neudahn, in the southwestern Palatine Forest in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, is located at the northern end of an elongated ridge near the town of Dahn.
2.2 miNE
Tower
Luitpoldturm
56 min walk • Perched atop the dense forest canopy of the Palatinate region in Germany, the Luitpoldturm, or Luitpold Tower, stands as a serene sentinel offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. This stone observation tower, which rises to a modest height of 35...
4 miSE
Forts and castles
Falkenburg
103 min walk • Nestled atop a hill in the idyllic German countryside, Falkenburg Castle remains a testament to the grandeur of medieval fortifications and the rich history that permeates the region. This historical edifice, though now in ruins, continues to captivate visitors with...
4 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Clausensee
103 min walk • The Clausensee is a reservoir in the Schwarzbach valley in the western Palatine Forest in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
2.2 miNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Weißenberg
56 min walk • The Weißenberg in the Palatine Forest is a hill in the municipality of Merzalben. Its height is variously give as 610 m above sea level or 607 m above NHN. The higher value has been officially recommended since 2011. That makes the Weißenberg the highest point in the west of the mountain range, ahead of the Eschkopf and Mosisberg.
6 miNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Eschkopf
153 min walk • The Eschkopf near Hofstätten in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate is a major hill, 608.3 m above sea level high in the Palatine Forest.
6.3 miSW
Nature, Natural attraction, Cliff
Devil's Table
162 min walk • The Devil's Table of Salzwoog, in the municipality of Lemberg, is a striking mushroom rock in the German part of the Wasgau that covers the southern part of the Palatinate Forest in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.