Pfälzer Waldpfad Stage 6: Merzalben - Hauenstein

The "Königsetappe" starts at the centre of Merzalben and leads to the Burgruine Gräfenstein. With a flashlight in your hand can the explore the keep, the only heptagonal keep in Germany, via a narrow spiral staircase. Once at the top, the Palatinate Forest spreads out like a carpet in front of you. From the visitor's parking lot, the trail then leads to the Winschertkopf. This stony colossus crowns a conical hill overlooking the valley of Merzalbe and allows a deep insight into the Palatinate Forest. A dense forest trail with comfortable ups and downs takes you to the summit of the Weißenburg with its Luitpold tower. At 607 m above sea level the perspectives of the views change and not only the village houses below shrink to a miniature size. The descent to the hamlet  of Hermersbergerhof past the ruins of the Falkenburg , brings you into the valley of the Queich. A detour to the twin-sandstone steepled church in Wilgartswiesen offers itself as a last highlight before reaching the day’s goal of Hauenstein.

UFFBASSE! - Campaign for being considerate of others in nature

• Always act in a proactive, friendly and considerate way towards everyone you encounter along the way.
• Respect nature, do not destroy plants and always stay on the paths. Try to avoid excessive noise and leave the forest before dusk.
• Remember to take a rubbish bag with you when you go out and take your rubbish back home.
• Please keep your dog on a leash at all times. Other visitors and animals thank you.
• For your own safety, observe all road closures, including at weekends.
• Park only in designated parking areas. Leave space for emergency vehicles and agricultural machinery.
• Please give priority to agricultural and forestry traffic.