A premium trail, named after its exceptional natural landmark. Short but snappy, this round tour over high peaks offers sensational panorama views of the city of Pirmasens and the neighbouring country of France and leads through watery pine forests to the legendary Hexenklamm.
moderate
Distance 6.5 km
Duration1:45 h
Ascent122 m
Descent122 m
Highest point383 m
Lowest point262 m
The 6.4 km long hike invites you to a wonderful half-day tour over meadows and through the forest.Follow the green witch mark along narrow paths, past bizarre rock formations and several waterfalls, through the romantic rocky witch Hexenklamm and discover rare native orchids and wild herbs, that have long since fallen into oblivion. Marvel at the mystical forest and immerse yourself in the legend of a Fuhrmann, who once took the journey through the gorge towards the homeland during the ghost hour. The witches led him astray, so that he could not escape being caught by them within an hour.
Premium route awarded the "Deutsches Wandersiegel"
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
383 m
Lowest point
262 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Show elevation profile
Safety information
Despite the well-signposted trail markers along the premium hiking trails, we recommend for security reasons to always have an appropriate hiking map so that, for example when a storm occurs, you can quickly either find shelter or get out of the woods.
Especially in the autumn it is also important to remember that leaves lying on the ground can conceal irregularities, such as roots, rocks or holes in the path. Following storms, trees can have been uprooted or have branches hanging down. Such path impairments have to be expected when using such trails . Especially in adverse weather conditions, it may occur that the trails and paths turn into muddy and slippery passages. Path impairments of this kind have to be expected when you go out for a hike. Not all rocks or slopes are secured with ropes or railings and sure footedness is required. Should you be of the opinion that these are not accessible to you then you should try and get around them.
The tour starts at the sports field of Gersbach and leads south with a beautiful panorama view over Pirmasens, the heights of the Zweibrücker Westrich as well as the neighbouring country of France to the first stopover, the PWV Stockwaldhütte. The route then branches off westwards past pasture pastures, a bunker ruin of the west wall, and descends steeply through a narrow forest valley to the Forellengrund. From there, we continue through the Winzlerbach Valley to the second milestone, the Eichelsbach Mill. In the adjoining broad valley of the Felsalbe, you turn to the east after about 1 km and reach the highlight of the hiking trail, the Hexenklamm. The narrow path leads past bizarre rock formations and several waterfalls through the narrow valley. Hidden in one of the most beautiful squares of the Klamm, an idyllic resting place invites you to a another break. A few hundred metres further up, the path now leads through the Breitsitterwald to yet another natural sight, the Mardellen, which are basins rich in water and nutrients. The sports ground of Gersbach, the starting point of the tour, is reached after a few minutes.
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Take the 203 bus from the parade ground to the "Hexenklamm" stop
Getting there
From Pirmasens via Winzeln to Gersbach, follow Rothmühlstraße until you reach the Gersbach sports center.
Parking
Parking spaces are available at the Sportheim Gersbach, at the Stockwaldhütte and at the Eichelsbacher Mühle.
Sturdy footwear and all-weather clothing, sun and rain protection, and a sufficient quantity of food and drink, should no refreshment facilities or shopping possibilities exist or be open. Although the path is always very well marked, you should for safety reasons always have an appropriate hiking map with you.
Schöne, kurze Tour, dessen Highlight wie hier schon öfters erwähnt, die titelgebende Klamm ist. Diese Klamm ist wirklich sehr schön zu durchwandern. Der Weg dorthin und wieder zurück ist unspektakulär, ohne große Highlights, auf meist breiteren Wegen. Eignet sich in erster Linie als Halbtagestour, mit einer Einkehr in der Stockwaldhütte, an der wir gestartet sind. Die Markierung lässt für einen Premiumweg zu wünschen übrig, deshalb meine Empfehlung: vorher den Track runterzuladen.
Die Wege drumherum fanden wir langweilig. Die Klamm selbst ist sehr wild, Naturbelassen, zugewachsen, "zugemüllt" (mit herangeschwemmten Baumstämmen, Geröll). Keine Spur von romantisch oder schön. Wohl eher was für Biologen oder Geologen oder... Der Pfad ist sehr schmal, steil, rutschig, ungepflegt (teilweise nur noch die Nägel von ehemaligen Holzstufen vorhanden). Bei Nässe würde ich den nicht gehen. Ansonsten auch nur in genau dieser Richtung (da man dann bergauf geht und die Klamm immer gut im Blick hat, nicht rückwärts gucken muss). Denn es gibt auch hohe Stufen, steile Abschnitte, abgeschwemmte Wegstücke. Kein Geländer, teilweise, tiefe Blicke in die Klamm. Etwas schwindelfrei und trittsicher muss man sein. Am Anfang ist die Beschilderung gut, lässt aber schnell nach.
recommended route
Kaskade HexenklammPhoto: WANDERarena Pfälzerwald/Nordvogesen
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