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Long Distance Hiking recommended route Stage 3

Pfälzer Weinsteig Stage 3: Bad Dürkheim - Deidesheim

· 4 reviews · Long Distance Hiking · Pfalz
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  • Bad Dürkheim, Römerplatz, Haus der guten Weine
    Bad Dürkheim, Römerplatz, Haus der guten Weine
    Photo: Tourist Information Bad Dürkheim
m 400 300 200 100 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 km Deidesheim: Heidenlöcher bei Deidesheim Deidesheim: Historisches Rathaus Bahnhof Bad Dürkheim Burgruine Wachtenburg Flaggenturm
The third stage of the trail leads us from the picturesque Römerplatz square in Bad Dürkheim through Poppen Valley and Burg Valley to the ruins of Wachten Castle, with its amazing views. Passing the Heidenlöcher (Heathen Holes) castle ruins, we descend to the small town of Deidesheim, one of the jewels of the German Wine Route.
moderate
Distance 15.2 km
4:30 h
476 m
494 m
386 m
117 m
The third stage takes us next to Bad Durkheim, Deidesheim and further sites of interest - the valleys of Poppental and Burgtal, the ruins of the Wachtenburg and the Heidenlöcher. Following the red-white trail marker from the Römerplatz in Bad Durkheim, we go out of the town and up to the Flaggenturm which offers a spectacular view over a  sea of vines. From the Flaggenturm there is a detour possible to the monastery church of Seebach or to the Klosterruine Limburg. Chestnut trees, pine and oak trees line the road into  the Poppental and up to the ruins of the Wachtenburg. In addition to a refreshment at the castle tavern, the Wachtenburg offers a view over the sparkling wine town of Wachenheim. Next, the path leads to the stone witnesses of a refuge fort, the Heidenlöchern. The descent to the Michaelskapelle allows a wide view over the vineyards around the town of Deidesheim which is well known for its excellent restaurants and wineries.

 

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

Wer gerne etwas länger wandern möchte, macht ab dem Start in Bad Dürkheim noch den Abstecher (über Weinsteig Zuweg) hinauf zur Klosterruine Limburg. Die Tour wird dadurch 6 Km länger und führt in Höhe Flaggenturm wieder auf die Hauptroute zurück. 

 

Profile picture of Tobias Kauf
Author
Tobias Kauf 
Update: January 31, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
386 m
Lowest point
117 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 8.95%Dirt road 9.44%Forested/wild trail 33.86%Path 42.97%Road 4.21%Unknown 0.54%
Asphalt
1.4 km
Dirt road
1.4 km
Forested/wild trail
5.1 km
Path
6.5 km
Road
0.6 km
Unknown
0.1 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Mundhardter Hof
Burgschänke Wachtenburg

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

Start

Bad Dürkheim, Römerplatz (134 m)
Coordinates:
DD
49.460663, 8.167333
DMS
49°27'38.4"N 8°10'02.4"E
UTM
32U 439660 5479000
w3w 
///swimsuits.dazedly.occulted
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Destination

Deidesheim, market square

Turn-by-turn directions

From Römerplatz square (1) we walk through Bad Dürkheim to the Flaggenturm Tower, which offers a panoramic view of the Rebenmeer wine-growing area, the Rhine plain and the Palatinate Forest. It's worth taking a short detour to the abbey (2) and to the exclusive district of Seebach. The trail continues through chestnut trees and later through the heat-loving pine and oak forests down to a shady picnic spot (3) by the river.

We continue on the path over a wooded ridge, before reaching the idyllic Burg Valley. The trail goes past the campsite to the ruins of Wachten Castle (4), the 'Palatinate's balcony'. Here we can have something to eat and drink in the castle restaurant and enjoy the magnificent view of the town of Wachenheim, known for its wine and sparkling wine, and the Rhine plain. We then return to the woods and follow the slope upwards for some time before reaching a stone gate that marks the entrance of the Heidenlöcher (Heathen Holes) (5), the remains of a stronghold dating from the Carolingian era.

At the other side of the ruins, a steep path brings us down to the Michael Chapel (6), with its view towards the east of Deidesheim and its vineyards. Walking through sun-drenched vineyards, we finally reach our destination of Deidesheim. This climactic spa town will surely impress you with its own characteristic wine bars and wineries, as well as its romantic historical town centre.

Note


all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Train to Bad Dürkheim or Deidesheim

Getting there

A650 and B37 to Bad Dürkheim

Parking

Free car parks at Wurstmarktplatz market square

Coordinates

DD
49.460663, 8.167333
DMS
49°27'38.4"N 8°10'02.4"E
UTM
32U 439660 5479000
w3w 
///swimsuits.dazedly.occulted
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 Conrad-Stein-Verlag: Pfälzer Weinsteig (Autorin: Anne Bärbel Engelhart). 192 Seiten mit 17 Karten, 61 Farbabblidungen und 10 Höhenprofilen. ISBN 978-3-86686-380-4

Author’s map recommendations

Public Press Wanderkarte Pfälzer Weinsteig im Maßstab 1:25.000, deutsch, Leporello Falzung mit 17 Teilkarten, GPS-genau, elf redaktionelle Seiten mit Ausflugszielen und Einkehrtipps. Weitere Hauptwanderwege enthalten. ISBN 978-3-89920-677-7, Preis: 11,99€. Direkt hier bestellen

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.

Questions and answers

Question from Monika Becht · May 12, 2022 · Community
ist die Tour immernoch gesperrt????
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Answered by Karina Krämer · May 12, 2022 · Community
Das kann ich leider nicht beantworten, bin die Tour vor einigen Jahren gelaufen
2 more replies
Question from Margareten Schlucht · April 20, 2022 · Community
Wie lange ist die 3. Etappe wegen einer Wegsperrung noch geschlossen?
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Answered by Michael Werner  · April 20, 2022 · Zum Wohl. Die Pfalz.
Das kann man leider noch nicht sagen. Die Aufräumarbeiten können sicherlich noch bis in den Mai andauern.
4 more replies

Rating

4.2
(4)
Ner Can
March 17, 2019 · Community
Schöne Wege, teilweise Einöde aber die Schönheiten überwiegen. Sehr gutes Wanderschuhwerk von Vorteil.
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When did you do this route? March 17, 2019
Josef K.
September 11, 2017 · Community
Auch wir liefen diese schöne Tour rückwärts. Start bei uns war der Bahnhof Deidesheim, Ziel der Wurstmarkt in DÜW.
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When did you do this route? September 10, 2017
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Photos from others

+ 2

Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
15.2 km
Duration
4:30 h
Ascent
476 m
Descent
494 m
Highest point
386 m
Lowest point
117 m
Public-transport-friendly Scenic Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights Flora Fauna

Statistics

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Maps and trails
  • 24 Waypoints
  • 24 Waypoints
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