What better way to experience what the KMC has to offer than by exploring on foot?
If you have lived in the KMC for more than a few minutes, you will have learned that parking is often at a premium, so shed your automotive hindrance and strap on your hiking shoes!
#1 Schweinstal
This beautiful little gem resides just down the street from Vogelweh Housing and there happens to be great parking right next to the B-270 (just look for the huge saw blade).
A nice asphalt path winds through this little valley so bring your skateboards, razor scooters (do kids still ride those?) and/or rollerblades.
Check out the big fish in the ponds that straddle the side of the path and watch for waterfowl, wild pigs and other creatures.
Take a detour up one of the many pathways into the forest from the asphalt to really spice things up.
In the fall, you can collect mushrooms but leave the selection of edible ones to the experts!
If you got the guts, you can go for a night hike. Listen to the forest come alive at night and point your flashlight into the ponds to catch the retinal reflection of the wandering fish.
See our main site for more information about the Schweinstal.
#2 Finsterbrunnertal
In this part of the forest, you can wander around for days if you’re not careful. There are so many trails out there, that it is easy to get lost.
But fear not! These trails are popular and well-traveled so there will be plenty of opportunities to ask for directions. One popular destination is the Naturfreundehaus Finsterbrunnertal. Stop here on your hike for food and beverage.
Located in a small ravine, this place has a restaurant and plenty of play structures for the kids. There is even a cold stream nearby to soak your weary feet.
#3 The Donnersberg
The top of 2250-foot “Thunder Mountain” was the site of a Celtic Settlement known as the “Oppidum Donnersberg” and it was surrounded by an 8.5 kilometer-long (5.3 miles) stone wall.
The area started to be excavated in 2004 and some parts of the protective wall have been rebuilt for public display.
The settlement was abandoned for unknown reasons in the 2nd century A.D.
Now you can explore the remnants of the ancient wall and the modern mock-ups, visit the highest point in Rheinland-Pfalz and stop by the little kiosk at the base of the tower pictured here for a snack.
#4 Stempelkopf Tunnel Hike
The Stempelkopf Tunnel is a deep, dark chasm and is part of the disused Eistalbahn rail line between Enkenbach-Alsenborn and Ramsen.
At 483 meters (1500 feet) in length, it is long enough to swallow what little sunlight reaches the track bed. Although not officially off-limits, caution is advised (caution meaning wits and a flashlight).
Taken out of service in 1988, it has layed dormant ever since, with hikers, urban explorers and graffiti artists bravely entering the portals. Due to its location deep in the forest and in a ravine to boot, the wind plays tricks on the ears of wayward hikers, making one think something breathes in the tunnels bowels. But alas, it is just a tunnel and fun for the whole family. Supposedly, there is a locally famous Geocaching site inside.
#5 Karlstal
The Karlstalschlucht is a litte ravine not far from Trippstadt. It is not a very difficult hike at all and is perfect for showing guests the beauty of the local landscape. The bubbling Moosalb Creek meanders through the ravine next to the trail and there are plenty of places to access the cool water.
If you have kids in tow, be sure to have some towels because they will not be able to resist some splash time (the kids, not the towels).
#6 The Humbergturm Hike
Located atop the Humberg Hill at 1,400 feet elevation, the Humbergturm (Humberg Tower) is not far from the Bremerhof restaurant and beer garden. You can climb the internal spiral staircase with 130 stairs and enjoy the view!
If the hike makes you hungry and/or thirsty, pop on in at the Bremerhof for some hot food and cold beer!
#7 The Adlerbogen
This mysterious arch, built in the 19th century, sits atop the side of the Donnersberg. Called “Die Adlerbogen” or “Eagle Arch”, this structure is a monument to the victorious Germans over their “arch enemies” (see what we did there?) the French in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.
It must be understood that “Germany” did not exist before the cessation of hostilities in this conflict; just a bunch of kingdoms, dutchies and city-states that roughly shared a language and culture.
No matter the circumstances behind the creation of this arch, the views are undeniably stunning. Just a 30 minute drive from K-Town, this unique place is a must-see.
#8 Mehlinger Heide
Down the street from Sembach, this protected scrub land is a nice place to take the dogs and/or kiddos. Follow the sandy pathways through the brush and enjoy the view of scots pines and beautiful flowers. There is an interesting playground next to the parking lot so bring the kids.
The A63 autobahn cuts right through the area but a handy-dandy bridge lets you access the west side of the park. Wave to the drivers as they speed on by!
Quick local history lesson: back in the early 2000s, the A-63 Autobahn, coming from the north, stopped at the Sembach exit. When transiting between Kaiserslautern and Mainz, drivers had to take the old B-40 federal highway (now the L-401/Kaiserstrasse) and traffic was often crazy. Once you patiently battled your way passed Mehlingen, you got on the A-63 at Sembach to continue north.
We speculate that digging a trench for the A-63 right through the Mehlinger Heide was not popular for local residents and probably delayed finishing the last part of the Autobahn connection to the A-6, as we see today.
Since then, visitors to the KMCC have it a lot easier when coming from places like Wiesbaden.
#9 Hochspeyer Munitions Annex
This former U.S. Air Force munitions storage complex, which belonged to the 435th Munitions Squadron out of Ramstein Air Base, was a geographically separated area that was closed in 2007. It has layed dormant ever since.
According to some sources, it once stored Mace missiles at the hight of the Cold War. It is officially off-limits and guarded by a chainlink fence and “do not enter” signs. You can still peek through the fence though.
#10 Area 1
This mysterious complex, hidden deep in the woods, once stored all manner of apocalyptic weapons from nuclear bombs to chemical weapons (the latter is alleged). It was a geographically separated facility which was part of the Pirmasens Military Community and operated from 1956 until its closure in 1991. Nuclear artillery shells and Pershing missiles were stored here in 92 hardened bunkers. Walk the 44 km of paved access roads and tour the old buildings. A history buff will love it!
During the early days of the Cold War, many forward munition storage facilities were sprinkled throughout the Palatinate Forest in an attempt to spread out weapon storage in the event the Cold War turned hot. These facilities still can be found, many of them off limits, some repurposed and some turned into open-air museums. The former site outside of the village of Clausen is a great example of these relics being put to good use.
