In the Palatinate, Germany's second largest wine region, the weather and climate are particularly benevolent. Beyond the Palatinate Forest towards the Rhine Valley the scenery is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. Pink almond blossom appears in early spring, in summer the gardens are bursting with figs, lemons and tall oleander bushes and in autumn the grape harvest and wine festivals attract to this beautiful holiday region. The Geman Wine Route is littered with wine-making estates and historical wine towns. The Palatinate is a broad wine region whose friendly people are rooted to the soil - lovers of wine with a sunny disposition.
Three quality-approved hiking trails, which can be experienced on single and multi-day hikes, enrich the attractive hiking offering of the Palatinate: the Pfälzer Weinsteig (Palatine Wine Trail), the Pfälzer Waldpfad (Palatine Forest Trail) und the Pfälzer Höhenweg (Palatine Mountain Trail). Along mostly narrow trails, your hikes will take you through idyllic villages, past spectacular rock formations, or ancient castle ruins, and across working vineyards. Mountain inns and hiker-friendly hosts will add culinary fun to your hikes across the Palatinate.
Dionysian delights and untouched, deep forests - these are the greatest highlights on offer on your hike along the Pfälzer Weinsteig trail. The Pfälzer Weinsteig trail begins at the castle ruins Neuleiningen, and ends after 170 kilometres in Schweigen-Rechtenbahn, making it the longest of the Palatine trails. The route along the edge of the Haardt Mountains is dotted with ancient ruins of fortresses and gem-like wine villages, and offers spectacular views of the Rhine Valley region. The true charm of the trail lies in the alternating legs along sleepy forest paths and across the sun-drenched slopes of the wine country.
View of Trifels Castle near Annweiler am Trifels from Pfälzer Weinsteig trail, Palatinate
In our first video, Martin Seidler shows you the colourful red sandstone of the Palatinate, with all its nuances from dark red to yellowish white showcased in works of arts, churches and castles, and the region’s unique landscape. You can even taste it in the wine – the friendly Palatinate winemakers will be only too happy to show you how the minerality and acidity of the rock leaves its mark on the wine in your glass!
