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recommended route Stage 7

Pfälzer Waldpfad Stage 7: Hauenstein - Dahn

Select · 3 reviews · Long Distance Hiking · Pfalz

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Zum Wohl. Die Pfalz.

Hauenstein
Photo: Dominik Ketz, Zum Wohl. Die Pfalz.

The seventh stage of the trail brings us from the town of Hauenstein, famous for its shoe industry, to Dahn, the 'capital' of the Dahner Felsenland, known for its red sandstone rock formations. Just before the end of the route, we find the Jungfernsprung, one of the most famous rocks in the Palatinate.

moderate

Distance 15.4 km

4:55 h

446 m

479 m

401 m

206 m

This 15 km long stage takes you from the shoe-making town of Hauenstein to the "capital" of the Dahn Felsenland. The nickname is derived from the impressive rock formations, which have made the town and surrounding countryside so well known. Up the Jungfernsprung you climb one of the most famous of these rock formations. From the starting point, we pass the Schuhmeile, Germany's largest shoe-producing centre and continue along the slope above the town. You leave the Paddelweiher behind you and walk alongside the River Queich to the Queichquelle where you can cool your feet in the Kneipp basin. Sufficiently refreshed you now climb up to the Wanderheim Dicke Eiche. The namesake of the hut, a 300 year-old oak tree had to be felled following vandalism and now lies as a memorial next to its former location at the wayside clearing. Past more rocky crags the path runs towards Winterkirchel and over the Lachberg to the Jungfernsprung, which looks over the town from a height of 70 m. The descent leads to the stage destination, the centre of Dahn.

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.

Author’s recommendation

Kombinierbar: Kastanienwanderung in Hauenstein (ab Herbst) und Dahner Felsenpfad. Mehr im neuen Wandermenü-Magazin!

Author

Tobias Kauf

Update: January 31, 2023

Quality route according to "Wanderbares Deutschland"

Difficulty

moderate

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

401 m

Lowest point

206 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Track types

Asphalt

0.1 km

Dirt road

0.3 km

Forested/wild trail

7.3 km

Path

7 km

Road

0.4 km

Unknown

0.3 km

Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Paddelweiher-Hütte
Wanderheim "Dicke Eiche"

Safety information

In light of recent events:

Coronavirus Guide from the German Hiking Association

In autumn in particular, it is important to remember that leaves lying on the ground can hide bumps, roots, stones and holes in the path. Trees can topple and branches can fall down after thunderstorms and rainstorms. Natural paths can become muddy and slippery, especially in poor weather conditions. Not all rocks and precipices are secured with ropes or railings. You need to be sure-footed in certain areas. Damage to paths of this kind is to be expected on hikes. If you feel that certain sections of the path are not passable for you, please avoid them.

NOTE:

We endeavour to announce all closures due to forest work or hunting parties on this platform. Nevertheless, sometimes there are situations where hiking trails are closed and we may not have been informed. If you unexpectedly encounter a road closure or diversion, please follow the instructions for your own safety.

Tips and hints

Markierungsregeln

Start

Hauenstein (252 m)

Coordinates:

49.197579, 7.849480

DMS

49°11'51.3"N 7°50'58.1"E

UTM

32U 416182 5450057

w3w

///heartthrob.stony.potential

Show on Map

Destination

Dahn

Turn-by-turn directions

At the start of the stage we hike past some rocks to the Felsentor (1), the northernmost entrance to Hauenstein, where the road (Bahnhofstraße) runs through two steeply rising rock walls.

The trail then brings us along the slopes above Hauenstein to Paddelweiher lake, and then follows the Queich upstream to its source (2). We can refresh our tired feet with a quick walk through the newly-added wading pool or sit down on the conveniently placed benches nearby. The next ascent should be a bit easier after this refreshing rest stop. At the end of the ascent we are rewarded with the Dicke Eiche (PWV) rest stop and restaurant (3, opening hours: weekends and holidays 9am - 6pm, from May - October also on Wednesdays 10am - 6pm, closed 25.12, 26.12 and 01.01). Enjoy some typical Palatine cuisine accompanied by a glass of wine or a beer straight from the tap. Duly refreshed and ready to go again, we pass the namesake of the Dicke Eiche – a large oak tree which was vandalised many years ago and now stands as a stump on the edge of the clearing where it once stood in all its glory.

Our next stop is the Winterkirchel – a little chapel in the forest (4). The trail brings us down the valley to the outskirts of Erfweiler and then along the slopes of the Wölmersberg mountain to the outskirts of Dahn. We then tackle the considerable ascent up to the Lachberg. Following the rock ridge, we eventually reach the Jungfernsprung (5), a high rocky outcrop which is a landmark of the nearby town of Dahn. From here we descend to Dahn town centre, where the seventh stage comes to an end.

Public transport

Train to Hauenstein

By road

A65 to the Landau-Nord exit, continue on the B10 to Hauenstein or A62 to the Pirmasens exit, continue on the B10 via Pirmasens to Hauenstein

Parking

In Hauenstein

Coordinates

49.197579, 7.849480

DMS

49°11'51.3"N 7°50'58.1"E

UTM

32U 416182 5450057

w3w

///heartthrob.stony.potential

Show on Map

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

Rother Bergverlag : Die Pfälzer Weitwanderwege Pfälzer Höhenweg, Pfälzer Waldpfad, Pfälzer Weinsteig. In 30 Tagen durch die Pfalz (Autor: Jürgen Plogmann). 140 Seiten mit 60 Farbabbildungen, 30 Höhenprofile, 30 Wanderkärtchen im Maßstab 1:75.000, eine Übersichtskarte. ISBN 978-3-7633-4401-7

Author’s map recommendations

Public Press Wanderkarte Pfälzer Höhenweg im Maßstab 1:25.000, deutsch, Leporello Falzung mit 22 Teilkarten, GPS-genau, sechs redaktionelle Seiten mit Ausflugszielen und Einkehrtipps. Weitere Hauptwanderwege enthalten. Preis: 11,99 €. Direkt hier bestellen.
Wanderkarte Pfälzerwald 5, 7 und 8, NaturNavi Gmbh, ISBN 978-3-96099-104-5 http://naturnavi.de

Equipment

We recommend the following equipment as standard for our hiking tours:

Sturdy shoes
Clothing suitable for the weather
Sun and rain protection
Sufficient quantity of food and drink, as refreshment stops or shopping facilities are not always available or open.
Although the paths are very well marked throughout, for safety reasons it is always advisable to carry a suitable hiking map so that you can quickly find your way to a safe area in the event of a thunderstorm or emergency.

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Rating

4.3

(3)

V. W.

September 26, 2016 · Community

Zunächst ging es von Hauenstein schöne Waldpfade bis zum Paddelweiher. Von dort aus ein ganzes Stück einen breiten Forstweg durch das Tal bis zur Queichquelle, bis ein Pfad uns dann steil nach oben bis zum Wanderheim "Dicke Eiche" bringt. Allerdings hatte dies heute geschlossen und so ging es weiter bis zum Winterkirchel, an dem wir in der Sonne eine schöne Rast einlegen konnten. Anschließend geht es bergab bis Erfweiler. Von dort bis Dahn zieht sich der Weg ein bischen. Aber an Dahn entlang wird man dafür wieder auf der Höhe mit tollen Aussichten und Felsen belohnt!

When did you do this route? September 23, 2016

Comment

Aidart Pott

August 22, 2015 · Community

Bin die Tour mit Übernachtung im Wanderheim Dicke Eiche gelaufen, dadurch auch die Etappe davor und die danach. Dieser Abschnitt ist wohl wirklich der schönste was die Strecke anbelangt wenn man Pfade mag. Diese kommen hier doch häufiger unter die Sohlen. Auch ein paar Sehenswürdigkeiten sind auf der Strecke zu erleben. Den Jungfernsprung zu erkunden verlangt in der Tat ein verlassen der Strecke aber eigentlich unwesentlich und bei vielen anderen Felsformationen und Aussichten ist das ähnlich. Der Weg geht "hinten" vorbei und man muss halt nach vorne und danach wieder zurück. Der Bereich um den Kuckucksfelsen hat mir persönlich am Besten gefallen da schlägt das Wanderherz doch etwas schneller.

When did you do this route? August 20, 2015

Comment

Norbert Löppenberg

June 19, 2014 · Community

Wir sind am Bahnhof Hauenstein gestartet. --- Die Tour führt nicht über den Jungfernsprung. Wenn man zu diesem Aussichtpunkt gelangen will, muss man vor dem letzten Abstieg die Wegführung verlassen.

When did you do this route? June 15, 2014

Comment

Photos from others

+ 6

Reviews

Difficulty

moderate

Distance

15.4 km

Duration

4:55 h

Ascent

446 m

Descent

479 m

Highest point

401 m

Lowest point

206 m

Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights

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8 Waypoints

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