Stage 1: Kaiserslautern to Finsterbrunnertal
From Kaiserslautern, the first stage of the Pfälzer Waldpfad trail brings us on a route about 16km long through pretty forests to the Humberg Tower, with its great views, and on into the Moosalbe Valley, where we reach our destination of the ‘Naturfreundehaus Finsterbrunnertal’ guest house and campsite.

Stage 2: Finsterbrunnertal to Johanniskreuz
At only 12km, the second stage is the shortest part of the Pfälzer Waldpfad trail. It brings us along the Moosalbe River through the Karlstal ravine and 470m up to the hamlet of Johanniskreuz.

Stage 3: Johanniskreuz to Heltersberg
The third stage of the Pfälzer Waldpfad trail takes us from Johanniskreuz to Heltersberg, through thick forest and river valleys with idyllic little lakes.

Stage 4: Heltersberg to Rodalben
The fourth stage of the trail leads us past the imposing Seelen rocks to the remains of a Roman castle named ‘Heidelsburg’, before bringing us to the place of pilgrimage at Maria Rosenberg and finally to the end point at Rodalben.

Stage 5: Rodalben to Merzalben
The fifth stage of the Pfälzer Waldpfad trail leads us from the Hilschberghaus rest stop past Rodalben and the Birkwieserhof farm for 10km before arriving at the end of the stage in Merzalben.

Stage 6: Merzalben to Hauenstein
The 23km long sixth stage of the trail is not only the longest section of the route, it also boasts the highest point of the trail with the 607m high Weißenberg and the breath-taking views from the top to reward you for your exertions.

Stage 7: Hauenstein to Dahn
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.

Stage 8: Dahn to Erlenbach
On the eighth stage of the trail from Dahn to Erlenbach we pass some impressive rock formations and the ruined castles of Altdahn, Grafendahn, Tanstein and Drachenfels perching dramatically on the red sandstone massif.

Stage 9: Erlenbach to Schweigen-Rechtenbach
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.