Rodalber Felsenwanderweg

The first stop is the "Alter Bierkeller" (old beer cellar) before continuing past the rocks of Fohnbach and Kiesfelsen and reaching the "Alte Burg" (old castle) rock massif which is illuminated in the evening. It served as a refuge and retreat for the original Celtic population during raids. The panorama from here is magnificent.

Next come the Hettersbachfelsen overhangs. They are high above the Zur Alten Burg restaurant with its beer garden, where visitors can stop for a leisurely meal.

After passing the Horbergfelsen precipice and circling the valley, the next part of the trail leads through the town. In the Mühlkopf area, the tour turns back into the forest and continues there in an easterly direction. The trail now passes the Zigeunerfelsen (Gypsy Rocks) before reaching the Osterbrunnen (Easter Well) and the Teufelshütte (Devil's Hut) at the end of the Hodental.

Passing the Maibrunnenfelsen crag and the cemetery in the Leiterstal (ladder valley), the path climbs up towards the Kanzelfelsen rock with its seating area sheltered under an overhanging rocky outcrop. Here, a short detour up to the viewing platform is worthwhile as it offers a wonderful view of the historic town centre of Rodalb.

The path now leads past the Schweinefels massif, meanders around the Lindersbach valley with the Lindersbach rocks and finally leads across the valley of Am Haweracker, where the Schützenhaus is located, high up to the walkers' hostel PWV Hilschberghaus, to tempt visitors with hearty Palatinate cuisine, a sunny panorama terrace and a children's playground for a welcome rest.

The route continues in an easterly direction, past the rocky outcrops of the Krappenfelsen, Hilschbergfelsen, Saufelsen, Rappenteichfelsen and Vorderen und Hinteren Rappenkopffelsen in succession. Finally, the trail reaches the romantic Clauser Tal with its seating areas and the Gipfelstürmer shelter. Trekking past the Pilzfelsen (‘mushroom rocks’), hikers reach the Kuhfelsen (‘cow rocks’) in the valley basin with further picnic facilities.

Here, the path switches to the other side of the valley and heads south, first to the Eisenbörnchen rocks and then, after crossing the meadow valley with the fallow deer enclosure, up to the Klausfelsen and Fuchsfelsen rocks. A path to the right then descends into the valley and the valley trail leads in a southerly direction to the Hirschbrunnen hikers' car park.

Now, walkers have to cross the L497 and the little Rodalb river to reach the district of Neuhof. After just a few metres on the road, the path goes up to the Hoher Kopf with the "bat cave". A little further on are the Karl-May-Felsen rocks, which could well serve as a backdrop for the Winnetou films.

The Hungerpfuhl and Seibelsbach rocks follow, before another resting place is offered by the Dekan-Ehling shelter. From here, the trail leads into the Langenbach valley. Rambling past the Langenbachfelsen rock structures, hikers reach the Bärenhöhle or ‘bear’s cave’ natural monument, the largest natural red sandstone cave in the Palatinate. A spring rises in the cave and flows into the valley over a small waterfall. This detour down is definitely not to be missed.

Passing the rocks along the edge of the water, the trail now heads in a north-easterly direction. After crossing the "Bärenhalde" (L482) and a short climb, another highlight approaches, namely the legendary Bruderfelsen. It is the landmark of the town of Rodalben and offers a great view as well as seating. Not far from it, the circle is completed at the Alter Bierkeller and the rock hiking trail ends. It takes just a few minutes to walk back to the hiking railway station.

At the end of the tour, Rodalben offers a wide range of restaurants and cafés to round off a successful day in a cosy atmosphere.

The total length of almost 45 kilometres makes it a good idea to hike the Felsenwanderweg in several stages. Information on this can be obtained from the tourist information service for Gräfensteiner Land (tourist@graefensteiner-land.de, 06331/234180).