Excursion tips for your holiday in the Palatinate

Just half an hour from the Kloster Hornbach, Golf de Bitche is a 27-hole course in the heart of the Northern Vosges Nature Park. Its challenging design, well-maintained fairways, and picturesque scenery make every round something special. Thanks to the sandy soil, the course is playable all year round.

Set among the rolling hills of the Sickinger Höhe, the 18-hole course at the Erster Golfclub Westpfalz offers a varied game on two levels. Fast greens, strategically placed water hazards, and sweeping views make this a rewarding course for ambitious golfers and leisurely players alike. And as a guest of the Kloster Hornbach, you benefit from green fee discounts as well.

In the heart of the Palatinate Forest, the Golf Club Pfälzerwald’s challenging 18-hole championship course (par 72) delivers variety at every turn. The fairways are diverse, the greens demanding, and the distances between holes refreshingly short. The natural backdrop of the forest makes every round memorable. As a guest of the Kloster Hornbach, you benefit from our partner green fee.

The Homburg/Saar Golf Club’s 18-hole course sits naturally within the Saarland landscape. The front nine demand precision, while the back nine offer new challenges with elevated tees and a constant breeze. Generous practice facilities and a welcoming clubhouse complete the picture.

Located within the UNESCO Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve, the Katharinenhof Golf Club stands out for its natural design. The 18-hole course winds through traditional orchards and gentle hills, offering both scenic beauty and a genuine test of skill. After your round, enjoy regional cuisine on one of the finest sun terraces at the club restaurant.

Just 20 kilometres north-west of Kaiserslautern, you’ll find a truly delightful golf course. This 18-hole, par-74 course is tucked naturally in gently undulating terrain, offering fine views of the Palatinate Forest and the Sickinger Höhe. A natural stream and wetland biotope structure the layout, while generous greens – set among mature trees – are guarded by bunkers, mounds, and water hazards. A course that brings an extra helping of joy to the game.

Breathe in the crisp forest air, listen to the rustle of the leaves overhead, and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. Around Hornbach, a variety of hiking trails await – from leisurely walks to ambitious day treks.

• Pirminiusweg: This roughly 28 km circular hike starts in Hornbach and leads through a varied landscape of forests, meadows, and rolling hills. Named after Saint Pirminius, the monastery’s founder, the trail provides a beautiful blend of nature and history. 
• Paradiesgartenweg: A premium 11.4 km trail that runs through idyllic forest, up to the Gipfelwaldhütte hut, past the French ridge, and through the lovely Becherbach Valley.
• To Becherbacher Weiher: Start at the car park by the playground and follow quiet paths to reach the picturesque pond. The Gimpelwaldhütte hut is the perfect spot for a romantic break.
• To Althornbach: This 7.5 km trail leads along marshy meadows to the highest point in the area. The views across the border into France are well worth the climb.
• Want more hiking tips? Just ask!

Feel the wind in your hair, take a break in an idyllic spot, and look forward to the marvels waiting around the next bend. Two particularly beautiful routes start right at the Kloster Hornbach:

• Kloster Hornbach Tour (33.7 km): A varied circular tour with plenty of sights along the way.
• European Mill Cycle Route (47.6 km): A circular cross-border route following the trail of water and mills.

Want to hire high-quality bicycles or e-bikes directly from us? Just ask at reception. On request, we can pack you a picnic basket with treats for the road.

The South-West Palatinate is a paradise for castle lovers. Venerable fortresses look down from atop densely forested hills and striking sandstone cliffs, each telling stories of a bygone era. Our favourites:

• Trifels Castle: Countless legends surround this former treasury of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. Richard the Lionheart is said to have been held captive here.
• Berwartstein Castle: This impregnable fortress was once home to Hans Trapp, the notorious marshal and military commander of the Electoral Palatinate. His raids and misdeeds are as legendary as his castle.
• Altdahn Castle Ruins: Three castles – Altdahn, Grafendahn, and Tanstein – merge on a single rock massif above Dahn to form one of the largest ruin complexes in the Palatinate.

The charming towns around the Kloster Hornbach are well worth a visit. In Zweibrücken, the European Rose Garden is an idyllic spot for a stroll.

Pirmasens, once the centre of the shoe industry, now surprises with the Dynamikum, an interactive science centre for the whole family. The town centre blends history and modern life – check out the independent shops, cafés, and the Alte Post museum.

Blieskastel enchants with its baroque old town, picturesque lanes, and lively squares. And for a taste of French living, head to Bitche: the imposing citadel offers history with a panoramic view, framed by street cafés and the Garden of Peace.

Here are a few more recommendations for worthwhile day trips, all within easy reach of the Kloster Hornbach:

Zweibrücken Castle: The former residence of the Dukes of Zweibrücken, with an elegant sandstone façade. Though the castle is now home to the Higher Regional Court, the castle courtyard and the architecture around the romantic Schlossplatz Square remain well worth a visit. 
Distance: approx. 10 km

Blieskastel Old Town: A picturesque old town characterised by baroque townhouses, quiet courtyards, and the baroque Schlosskirche Church. Ideal for a stroll away from the crowds – historic character in unhurried peace. 
Distance: approx. 16 km

World of Fun, Zweibrücken: The region’s largest indoor amusement park (over 7,000 m²) – a family paradise in any weather. With bowling, mini golf, a climbing arena for children, a seasonal ice rink, and even a go-kart track, it’s the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon.

Distance: approx. 7 km

Citadel of Bitche: A monumental fortress with massive sandstone walls and underground passages, with a museum and sweeping views. The guided tour takes you back to the era of Vauban, Louis XIV’s master fortress builder. In summer, the adjacent Gardens of Peace and their art installations are especially worth visiting. 

Distance: approx. 20 km

Schlossberghöhlen, Homburg: Mysterious red sandstone caves deep beneath Homburg’s castle hill. The illuminated grotto passages and vast domed chambers create an otherworldly atmosphere. Europe’s largest red sandstone caves offer a spectacular interplay of colour and a genuine adventure for all ages. Regular guided tours explain the origins of these extraordinary natural formations, which have been shaped and expanded by human hands over centuries. 

Distance: approx. 29 km

Teufelstisch (Devil’s Table): A true natural wonder near Hinterweidenthal – a 14-metre-high mushroom-shaped rock that looks as if a giant placed a table on a pedestal. The region’s principal landmark, the “Teufelstisch” is easily reached via a short path. It’s a particularly rewarding destination for families, as an adventure playground and a barefoot trail surround the rock. Stand beneath the enormous sandstone block, sense the millennia of erosion, and let your imagination take over – legend has it the devil himself once dined here. 

Distance: approx. 40 km

Zweibrücken Rose Garden:
The Zweibrücken Rose Garden is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe – and rightly so. More than 60,000 roses in over 2,000 varieties transform the generous grounds into a spectacular display of colour from spring well into autumn. Whether you visit for a stroll, to linger a while, or for a quiet backdrop to a special moment – this is a place that moves you. Scent, colour, calm, and space merge into something truly inspiring. If you’re looking for lasting beauty, you’ll find it along the paths of this extraordinary garden. Distance: approx. 11 km

Alexanderkirche Zweibrücken:
The Alexanderkirche in the heart of Zweibrücken is one of the most significant late Gothic hall churches in the Palatinate. Built in the early fifteenth century and named after Alexander, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken and Veldenz, it offers a combination of accomplished architecture and a deeply spiritual ambience. Light sandstone walls, filigree tracery, and a clear, open interior create an atmosphere of quiet power.

Distance: approx. 10 km

Schweigen-Rechtenbach on the German Wine Route:
At the southernmost point of the German Wine Route, right on the Alsatian border, lies Schweigen-Rechtenbach – a charming wine village with sweeping views, quiet lanes, and a lively wine culture. The striking German Wine Gate is an architectural symbol of hospitality, welcoming visitors into a region rich in pleasure, history, and scenic beauty. Between the vineyards and gently rolling hills, a sense of space and homecoming unfolds – ideal for day trips, wine tastings, or quiet discoveries at the edge of the familiar. 

Distance: approx. 68 km