Although this place is way beyond the 1 hour drive from Kaiserslautern, it still deserves a mention. If you seek a hiking spot with crazy trails with absolutely stunning views, then this is the place for you. You cannot swing a dead cat without hitting challenging trails through craggy valleys and you will see plenty of wildlife. Apropo wildlife, you will most definitely encounter the famous marmots of the Alps and they will either beg for food or whistle at your approach, warning the other marmots that evil lurks.

If you are super hardcore, bring your gravel bike and climb the mountain roads, dodging e-bikes and motorcycles all the way. But you will not be alone because this place is a haven for bike climbers.

This place is also where European car manufacturers test new vehicles by braving the steep and windy mountain roads, so a car buff should love that aspect of the area.

There is a toll road to get to the good parts of the mountain and there is lodging. Check the usual online sources for that but do it well in advanced, lest ye be left behind!