Plan a route here Copy route

Top Stage 9

Pfälzer Waldpfad Stage 9: Erlenbach - Schweigen-Rechtenbach

Select · 2 reviews · Long Distance Hiking · Pfalz

Responsible for this content
Pfalz Touristik e.V.

/ Die Burg Berwartstein
Photo: Dieter F. Hartwig
/ See im Wald
Photo: Dieter F. Hartwig
/ Unweit der französischen Grenze liegen die Orte Schweigen und Schweighofen.
Photo: Patrick Küpper, Outdooractive Editors
/ Schattige Waldwege
Photo: Dieter F. Hartwig
/ Seehof Weiher
Photo: Dieter F. Hartwig
/
Photo: Dieter F. Hartwig
/
Photo: Dieter F. Hartwig
/ Burg Berwartstein bei Dahn
Photo: Dieter F. Hartwig
/ Friedliche Atmosphäre im Wald
Photo: Dieter F. Hartwig
/ Altes Haus in Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Photo: Dieter F. Hartwig
/ Ende der Etappe am Pfälzer Weintor
Photo: Dieter F. Hartwig

From Erlenbach, the last stage of the trail brings us past the impressive Berwartstein Castle to Schweigen, the most southerly town on the German Wine Route. We walk through Alsace (France) for a few kilometres and have a great view from the Rhine plain to the Black Forest.

moderate

17.2 km

5:15 h

524 m

511 m

The last stage leads on its way from Erlenbach to Schweigen-Rechtenbach, the southernmost point of the Deutsche Weinstrasse. Forest, streams, wine and history are the chemical composition which combine to create a remarkable blend characteristic for this region. On your way from Erlenbach the roof and battlements of the Felsenburg Berwartstein can be seen, the only castle of the region which is still inhabited (guided visits available). The path continues to the Seehof-Weiher, which offers a welcome cooling-down on hot days. You now follow the Portzbach down river until you reach an elevated stage near the Wieslauter that takes you to the Waldgasthof St. Germanshof on the German-French border. Soon you will be wandering through the Bannwald forest in France , where the forest opens up in a southeasterly direction and gives you a view of the northern Black Forest. Between vineyards you then descend into Schweigen-Rechtenbach and the Deutsches Weintor. Alternatively, you can leave the Bannwald on a forest feeder path to the beautiful town of Wissembourg, where many restaurants and a railway station are to be found. The detour to Wissembourg is also possible from the Deutsches Weintor along the Weinsteig feeder path.

Author

Tobias Kauf

Updated: April 26, 2021

Quality route according to "Wanderbares Deutschland"

Difficulty

moderate

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

304 m

Lowest point

178 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Rest Stop

Altstadt Wissembourg
Waldrestaurant St.Germanshof
Badesee Seehofweiher

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.

Start

Erlenbach (204 m)

Coordinates:

49.112556, 7.861448

DMS

49°06'45.2"N 7°51'41.2"E

UTM

32U 416911 5440592

w3w

///highly.messengers.clunked

Destination

Deutsches Weintor Schweigen-Rechtenbach

Turn-by-turn directions

The final stage of the Pfälzer Waldpfad trail brings us from Erlenbach to Berwartstein Castle (1), the only castle of the Wasgau area still inhabited today. Next we pass the Seehof-Weiher lake (2), great for swimming during hot weather, and follow the Portzbach downstream to just before it flows into the Wieslauter. The trail now leads us through the forest on curving paths on the slopes north of the Wieslauter to the St Germanshof inn (3), which lies directly on the German-French border.

A little later we reach French territory. Shortly after reaching the edge of the forest, there is an amazing view to our right (4) of the North Alsace town of Wissembourg. In clear conditions, this view can extend as far as the Hornisgrinde mountain in the Black Forest. We hike through the vineyards and back into German territory over an actual green border (an international border in the countryside) and down the slope to Schweigen, at the foot of the hills. Here we reach the German Wine Gate (5) which marks both the end of the German Wine Route and our hike. A walk around the historical old town of Wissembourg is highly recommended. And of course you shouldn't miss the opportunity to finish your trip with a visit to a winemaker. If you still haven't had enough of hiking, the wine tasting session can serve as a prelude to the Pfälzer Weinsteig trail.

Note

all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Train to Landau or Bad Bergzabern, from there take the bus to Erlenbach

Getting there

A65 to the Landau-Nord exit, continue via Annweiler to Erlenbach / A65 to the Kandel-Nord exit, continue via Bad Bergzabern to Erlenbach

Parking

In Erlenbach

Coordinates

49.112556, 7.861448

DMS

49°06'45.2"N 7°51'41.2"E

UTM

32U 416911 5440592

w3w

///highly.messengers.clunked

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 8, NaturNavi Gmbh, ISBN 978-3-96099-104-5 http://naturnavi.de

Equipment

Provisions, sturdy shoes and (if necessary) waterproof clothing

Similar routes nearby

These suggestions were created automatically.

Questions and answers

Ask the first question

Would you like to the ask the author a question?

Reviews

4.5

(2)

Christiane Brandt

August 07, 2020 · Community

Ein wunderschöner Abschluss der Tour. Nach dem Paddelweiher schlängelt sich der Wanderweg entlang des Bachlaufes. Auf Waldwegen geht es dann in mäßigem bergauf/bergab teilweise durch Frankreich und dann nach Schweigen. Es ist schon ein erhebendes Gefühl, wenn man aus dem Bannwald tritt und sich die Weinberge mit Blick auf Wissembourg ausbreiten. Und noch schöner, wenn Du nach der Tour unter dem Deutschen Weintor stehst. Hier war auch der Höhepunkt meiner Erfahrungen mit den öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln Queichtal, Nach einem Unfall auf der B10 wurden Umleitungen eingerichtet von denen auch der Busverkehr teilweise betroffen war. Auch wenn die Strecke Dahn nach Bad Bergzabern frei zu befahren war, fielen hier gleich drei Busse 16:01 Uhr, 17:01 Uhr und der letzte um 18:04 Uhr aus. Also musste ich mit dem Taxi nach Erlenbach für 48,00 Euro. Rückerstattung Fehlanzeige, angeblich höhere Gewalt, obwohl das Taxi aus Dahn innerhalb 25 min auf der gleichen Strecke in Bad Bergzabern war. Eine Fahrerin der VRN sagte schon: Die schmettern alle Beschwerden ab, und so war es auch. Teure Wanderetappe und Lehrgeld, also nie mehr QNV.

Completed this Route on August 04, 2020

Comment

V. W.

September 26, 2016 · Community

Von der Burg Berwartstein aus geht es lange Zeit in einem Tal entlang bis man wieder ein wenig an Höhe gewinnen muss. Leider fand heute eine Bike-Veranstaltung von Wissembourg aus statt, die fast die Hälfte des Pfälzer Waldpfades mit in Anspruch nahm. So mussten wir mehr darauf achten, nicht überfahren zu werden, als den Weg zu genießen :-) Allerdings ist die Aussicht von den Weinbergen aus auch erst auf den letzten zwei / drei Kilometern zu genießen. Wenn man dann wie wir, fast den ganzen Pfälzer Waldpfad am Stück gewandert ist, bekommt man ein wunderbar erhabenes Gefühl, wenn das Weintor in Schweigen-Rechtenbach ins Blickfeld wandert!!!

Completed this Route on September 25, 2016

Comment

Photos from others

Reviews

Difficulty

moderate

Distance

17.2 km

Duration

5:15 h

Ascent

524 m

Descent

511 m

Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical value

Statistics

2D 3D
Contents
Show images Hide images

Features

Maps and trails

: h

Push the arrows to change the view