At 687 metres, the Donnersberg is the highest point in the Palatinate. The massif covers about 2,400 hectares, is almost entirely forested and stretches diagonally for up to 7.5 kilometres. Its hiking trails are complemented by historical traces such as the Celtic Ring Wall. Visitors exploring the region can therefore choose from a range of interests, from hiking and archaeological sites to mining, waterside activities and wine in the Zellertal valley.
Hiking trails of varying lengths
The Ludwigsturm circular hiking trail is 6.7 kilometres long. It starts at Haus Linn in Dannenfels and leads to the Ludwigsturm. The 26.9-metre-high stone tower has 142 steps and offers views of the North Palatinate Uplands, the Palatinate Forest, the Black Forest and the Vosges. The Ludwigsturm is currently closed for renovation work. A second designated circular hike leads to the Wildenstein castle ruins and is 7.9 kilometres long. It is 1.2 kilometres longer than the Ludwigsturm circular hiking trail; the difference in distance does not indicate a difference in difficulty.
For those looking beyond a single circular hike, the Palatinate Höhenweg is a multi-stage trail. It starts in Winnweiler on the Donnersberg and runs in seven stages through the Palatinate Uplands to Wolfstein. Another way to explore the trails is the mountain-bike singletrack in the forest near Sippersfeld. Roots and boulders of red sandstone are among the obstacles there; riders can tackle them on a more challenging or gentler line.
Celtic traces, castle ruins and mining
The Celtic Ring Wall consists of the buried remains of a Celtic wall about 8.5 kilometres long. From around 130 to 60/50 BC, it encircled a Celtic oppidum on the Donnersberg. Another way to discover Celtic history is the Celtic village on the Donnersberg in Steinbach: its traditionally built farmstead settlement offers an insight into Celtic housebuilding techniques. The Celtic village is temporarily closed for renovation work.
Falkenstein castle ruins stand on a former volcanic vent and were first mentioned in a document in 1135. The surrounding area provides a backdrop for the annual Christmas market and the Falkenstein Summer Tours. If you would like to plan your visit around an event, check the relevant date in advance.
In Imsbach, the story shifts from Celtic heritage to mining. The Weiße Grube visitor mine presents traces of 600 years of mining, including medieval workings and later mine workings excavated with explosives. The Palatinate Mining Museum in Imsbach explains the region’s ores, rocks and fossil fuels, as well as the extraction and processing of iron, manganese, copper, cobalt, gold, silver and mercury. The permanent Terra Crystallum exhibition displays around 400 minerals from around the world.
At the Eiswoog: lake, trails and narrow-gauge railway
The Eiswoog lies in the Palatinate Forest-North Vosges Biosphere Reserve and is considered a natural spectacle in every season. Activities at the lake include boat trips, water treading, swimming and hikes along a nature trail. A paved, accessible path passes an observation platform with views across the lake. The Eiswoog can be reached from Eisenberg by train, by bicycle through the forest or by car.
The Stumpfwaldbahn is also a useful landmark for getting your bearings around the Eiswoog. The narrow-gauge line is about four kilometres long; passengers can board at the Eiswoog, at Bockbachtal station near Kleehof or at Ramsen West. For trips between Kleehof and the Eiswoog, the railway uses converted former mine locomotives. If you are planning a ride, it is worth checking the timetable.
Wine in the Zellertal and travel interests to suit you
The Zellertal is one of the northernmost wine-growing areas in the Palatinate. There are opportunities to enjoy local wines and discover wineries. Weingut Bremer offers wine tastings, a restaurant and an event venue in a historic winery. Opening hours may change; check them before your visit.
This gives you a focus for planning your trip without having to put every discovery in a set order.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Mannweiler-Cölln, Börrstadt, Zellertal, Obermoschel, Kirchheimbolanden, Kerzenheim, Dannenfels, Kalkofen, Münchweiler An Der Alsenz, Lohnsfeld, Schweisweiler, Oberndorf, Wartenberg, Rockenhausen, Göllheim, Sippersfeld, Gauersheim, Lautersheim, Eisenberg (Pfalz), Alsenz-Obermoschel.
For the overarching travel overview: Rhineland-Palatinate.
