Stage 1: Bockenheim to Neuleiningen

The first leg of the Palatinate Wine Route from Bockenheim to the mountain village from the Middle Ages of Neuleiningen passes through the sun-drenched fields of vineyards around Grünstadt. Glorious views to the Rhine plateau and Donnersberg accompany us on the 17 kilometre route that traverses vineyards on grassy paths. The tour’s other highlights are Heiligenkirche, the Asselheim wine hiking hut, the motorbike museum at Quirnheim and the beautiful village of Mertesheim.

Stage 2: Neuleiningen to Bad Dürkheim

The second stage of the Pfälzer Weinsteig trail, the longest of the three new approved hiking trails in the Palatinate, leads us from the pretty, 750-year-old town of Neuleiningen, with its vineyards and castle, to the spa town of Bad Dürkheim. Along this interesting trail we can discover a Germanic ritual site and a Celtic ring fort as well as the highest Bismarck Tower in the Palatinate.

Stage 3: Bad Dürkheim to Deidesheim

The third stage of the trail leads us from the picturesque Römerplatz square in Bad Dürkheim through the Poppen and Burg Valleys 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.

Stage 4: Deidesheim to Neustadt an der Weinstraße

We begin the fourth stage of the trail in the picturesque historical town centre of Deidesheim before hiking through vineyards, the Palatinate Forest and along idyllic streams up to the summit of the Weinbiet. A descent with plenty of interesting views brings us down to Neustadt an der Weinstraße, one of the largest wine-producing communities in Germany.

Stage 5: Neustadt an der Weinstraße to St. Martin

Today the longest stage of the Weinsteig trail lies before us. Along the way we will discover many interesting natural monuments like the Zigeunerfelsen rock, the Hambacher Bergstein mountain and the impressive block field. We will also climb the 673m high Kalmit, the highest peak in the Palatinate Forest.

Stage 6: St. Martin to Burrweiler

Leaving the picturesque town of St. Martin, we take the attractive paths and trails along the edge of the Haardt Hills to Burrweiler. Some of the highlights along the way include the idyllically situated Hilschweiher lake, Villa Ludwigshöhe, a Virgin Mary grotto and the great views from the St Anna Chapel and St Anna House.

Stage 7: Burrweiler to Dernbach

On the seventh stage of the Weinsteig trail, we can discover three more hikers' huts run by the Pfälzerwald-Verein (a local association), all in idyllic settings. In addition, walking around the Orensberg mountain gives us one of the most beautiful views of the Palatinate Forest and the Rhine plain.

Stage 8: Dernbach to Annweiler am Trifels

Today we walk from Dernbach through woods and meadows to Eußerthal and onwards to Gräfenhausen, the most westerly wine-producing community in the Palatinate. The trail continues over the summit of the Großer Adelberg mountain, past the Krappenfels viewing point and down to the town of Annweiler, which lies at the foot of the majestic Trifels Castle.

Stage 9: Annweiler am Trifels to Klingenmünster

The nineth stage of the Weinsteig trail treats us to several highlights of the Palatinate. No fewer than eight picturesque ruins and castles line the route of our hike, among them Trifels Castle and the ruins of Madenburg Castle. We can also discover some imposing sandstone massifs.

Stage 10: Klingenmünster to Bad Bergzabern

The shortest stage of the Weinsteig trail brings us through woods, meadows and vineyards from Klingenmünster via the South Palatinate holiday destinations of Gleiszellen and Pleisweiler to the lively spa town of Bad Bergzabern, where we can discover the historical town centre as well as the splendid castle, and relax in the South Palatinate thermal springs.

Stage 11: Bad Bergzabern to Schweigen-Rechtenbach

The final stage of the Weinsteig trail takes us through thick forests from Bad Bergzabern past the picturesque village of Dörrenbach, also known as the Sleeping Beauty of the Palatinate, to the southern starting point of the German Wine Route, the German Wine Gate in Schweigen-Rechtenbach.