recommended route
Napoleon-Steig
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Blickauf den Retschelfelsen vom EisenbahnfelsenPhoto: Jacques Noll
The first stop is the 500 metre-long rock formation, the Retschelfelsen. From here, a path leads to the newly-opened Eisenbahnfelsen rocks with their extraordinary honeycomb formations in eroded red sandstone. Other distinctive points of this tour are the Rauhbergfelsen and the Reinigshofquelle with its gorgeously fresh and drinkable spring water. Above the flood plains is the bizarre namesake of this premium trail: the Napoleonfelsen. After a stop in the Pfälzerwald forest tavern “Am Schmalstein” there is a short climb before we then go through the Wöllmersbachtal and down to Bruchweiler-Bärenbach.
UFFBASSE! - Campagne voor een zorgzame coëxistentie in de natuur
Handel altijd met vooruitziende blik, vriendelijkheid en aandacht voor iedereen die je onderweg tegenkomt.
Respecteer de natuur, verniel geen planten en blijf altijd op de paden.
Vergeet niet een vuilniszak voor het parcours mee te nemen en het afval mee naar huis te nemen.
Gelieve uw hond steeds aan de leiband te houden. Andere bezoekers en dieren zullen je dankbaar zijn.
Houd voor uw eigen veiligheid rekening met alle wegafzettingen. Ook in het weekend.
Parkeer alleen op de aangewezen parkeerplaatsen. Laat ruimte voor vluchtwegen en landbouwmachines.
Geef alstublieft voorrang aan landbouw- en bosbouwverkeer.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
Pfälzerwald Vereins Hütte am SchmalsteinPWV Hütte Am Schmalstein
Am Alten Mühlrad
Bäckerei - Konditorei Bastian Bruchweiler
Safety information
Safety instructionsDespite 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.
Tips and hints
Tourist-Information Dahner Felsenland
Schulstr. 29, 66994 Dahn
Tel. 06391 9196222
www.dahner-felsenland.de
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
From here, the tour leads over a soft forest path and crosses an old military road at the foot of Retschlfelsen, an imposing 500m long red sandstone formation. The route then runs along a narrow natural path over a ridge to the recently-developed Eisenbahnfelsen, a real insider's tip. Here you will find bizarre honeycomb formations and unparalled erosions in the soft red sandstone. At the foot of the Eisenbahnfelsen you have a wonderful view of the Retschelfelsen, which you have just passed and idyllic villages, which are embedded in the legendary Dahner Felsenland. On a nature trail the way then leads to the Rauhbergfelsen. At the end of this rock formation is the only DAV centre outside of the Alpines, the Section Kaiserslautern.
From here, we follow a narrow path down towards Reinigshof and continue on a soft forest trail for about 800 metres to the Reinigshofquelle. The spring water found here is used by the Reinigshof and the DAV hut and is constantly analysed, so is not only a great refreshment but also a healthy one. Now the route leads past an old oak tree, which overturned many years ago but still grows, along a beautiful flood plain. Continue up a soft and resilient path, which also carries the yellow dot trail marker of the Pfälzerwald Verein, up to the bizarre Napoleonfelsen popularly known as the "Rock Doll", the namesake of this premium trail. After about 700 metres of flat forest paths with some stunning panoramic views, we go down at the foot of the Dretschberg Felsmassiv to the forest tavern"Am Schmalstein” belonging to the Palatinate Forest Association of Bruchweiler-Bärenbach (opening times see author´s Tip). From here, we continue along a forest path, past the Käskammerfelsen (Natural Heritage Site) and up to the "Fleckenstein Hochebene". This plateau is located in the largest non-forested or built-up area of the Palatinate Forest and provides panoramic views over the entire Wasgau right over to the neighbouring region of Alsace. There now follows a short descent on a narrow farm track, lined with old oak trees and orchards, down into the Wöllmersbachtal and the starting point of the Napoleon-Steig.
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
By train to Bad Bergzabern or Hinterweidenthal, from there by bus to Dahn and on to Bruchweiler-Bärenbach. From May to October with the excursion trains "Bundenthaler" and "Felsenland-Express" "on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from Mannheim
Getting there
B 10 to Hinterweidenthal, continue on the B427 via Dahn, Dahn-Reichenbach and turn left onto the L489 to 76891 Bruchweiler-Bärenbach, Fabrikstraße 18, Däumling-Schuhe. Or B48 to Bad Bergzabern via B427 to Erlenbach, then via Niederschlettenbach the L490 to Bruchweiler-Bärenbach.
Parking
Parking lot, Fabrikstraße 18, Däumling-shoes, 76891 Bruchweiler-Bärenbach
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Premium-Wanderbuch "Pfälzerwald" mit 17 Premium-Rundwegen und Streckenwegen.
Verlag: idemedia GmbH, ISBN 978 - 3 - 942779 - 54 - 8
Autoren: Ulrike Poller und Wolfgang Todt
Author’s map recommendations
Wander- und Radwanderkarte Dahner Felsenland 1:25.000, 8,90 €uro zzgl. Portokosten von 1,55 €uro Neu ab 2019: 6. Auflage: Wandern und Radfahren im Dahner Felsenland mit den Premium-Wanderwegen, den Haupt- und Rundwanderwegen, den Radrouten sowie dem Rettungspunkte-System im Maßstab 1:25.000, ISBN 978-3-945138-06-9
Equipment
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.
Statistics
- 12 Waypoints
- 12 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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Rating
Photos from others