Wake to birdsong, fuel up with a generous breakfast buffet, then lace up your hiking boots: hiking in the Palatinate with an overnight stay is a treat for body and soul. As a hiking hotel in the Palatinate, we’re happy to recommend picturesque routes that start right from our doorstep.
Well-maintained, premium trails like the Paradiesgartenweg (11.4 km) take you through flowering meadows and fragrant forests, over gentle hills, and into idyllic valleys.
If you’re after more of a challenge, try the legendary Pirminiusweg. This 27.8 km circular hike, named after the monastery founder Pirminius, reveals the full beauty of the region. Forests, fields, and water meadows alternate. From the hilltops, the views open up; in the valleys, you’ll come across old mills. The French border is just a stone’s throw away: a short detour rewards you with a magnificent panorama over the rolling hills of Lorraine.
A truly special nature experience awaits on the Altschlosspfad trail in Eppenbrunn. This roughly ten-kilometre premium hiking trail leads through the Palatinate Forest Biosphere Reserve and along the spectacular Altschlossfelsen – a 1.5-kilometre-long red sandstone wall that shimmers in vivid shades of red. Over millennia, the elements have sculpted bizarre formations here, carving caves and shaping the rock into a true work of natural art. Little wonder this place is affectionately known as the Palatinate’s very own “little Grand Canyon”.
Paradiesgartenweg
Circular route 11.4 km; approx. 3 hours
A premium hiking trail that lives up to its name. Over a good eleven kilometres, it winds through quiet forests, across open meadows, and along the Becherbachtal Valley. Time and again, beautiful views of the Palatinate landscape open up before you – nature at its purest.
Blick ins Hornbachtal (View of Hornbachtal valley)
Circular route 5 km; approx. 1.5 hours
A short but rewarding circuit with a magnificent panorama. At just five kilometres, it’s ideal for a relaxing break. The trail climbs gently across fields and hillsides with unobstructed views of the valley and the village of Hornbach – perfect for a leisurely afternoon outing.
Route to Althornbach
Circular route 7.5 km; approx. 2.5 hours
This roughly 7.5-kilometre route pairs the glory of nature with a sense of borderland adventure. Between the Palatinate and France, the trail winds over rolling hills and through idyllic villages. The highlight: sweeping views across the landscape all the way to Saarland.
From Hornbach to Mauschbach
Circular route 8 km; approx. 2.5 hours
Varied yet peaceful, this roughly 8-kilometre tour leads through meadows, small patches of woodland, and charming villages. Ideal for hikers looking to combine gentle exercise with a relaxed pace.
To Becherbacher Weiher pond
Circular route 6.5 km; approx. 2 hours
A romantic route for those who like to take their time. Over roughly 6 kilometres, the trail winds through quiet forests and gentle hills to the Becherbacher Weiher pond. The still water and natural surroundings make it the perfect spot to relax amidst the green.
Pirminiusweg (short route)
Circular hiking trail 14.6 km; approx. 3.3 hours
This route showcases the diversity of the Palatinate Forest in a compact distance. In around 15 kilometres, you are led through forests, past old mills, and across open fields. A walk that beautifully weaves together history, nature, and sweeping views.
Pirminiusweg (full distance)
Circular and long-distance hiking trail 27.8 km; approx. 7 hours
The big loop for ambitious hikers. A trail of nearly 28 kilometres through the varied landscape of the border triangle, featuring forests, valleys, ridgelines, and quiet paths. This hike stirs body and soul in equal measure.
