Wachenheim - Eckkopf - Heidenlöcher - Wachenheim

After arriving by public transport, we start either at Wachenheim train station and walk via Bahnhofstraße, past the Georgskirche into Burgstraße, or directly at the parking lot in Burgstraße, where we follow the trail marker of the Pfälzer Weinsteig feeder path (red-yellow) and take the stairs up to the castle, continuing to follow the Pfälzer Weinsteig feeder path (red-yellow). The Wachtenburg castle ruin today towers high above the town of Wachenheim. The castle was first mentioned in a document in 1257 as "veste Wachenheim." After a turbulent history, the castle was bought by Ludwig Heim in 1864 for 8000 guilders and donated to the town of Wachenheim in 1984. The "Burgschänke" there invites visitors with hearty Palatinate cuisine, attracts in summer with a large viewing terrace, and in winter with a cozy warm room. Behind the castle, we continue to follow the main path of the Pfälzer Weinsteig (red-white) southwest (trail sign towards Deidesheim) uphill towards Eckkopf, initially taking the staircase and finally following the approx. 1 km long, gently ascending path. Here, we repeatedly get views into the valley. Always following the Pfälzer Weinsteig marking, we reach the rest area "grüne Bank" (green bench). From here, we follow the marking red triangle along the ascending forest path. About 2 kilometers later, we reach the summit of Eckkopf. The Eckkopf is a 516 m high mountain in the Palatinate Forest. A 25 m high observation tower made of steel construction was built in summer 1975 by the Deidesheim administrative community. It has a viewing height of 541 m, offering good panoramic views. Near the tower is a guesthouse that is open most weekends and on some public holidays. They serve simple Palatinate cuisine and fresh cakes. After enjoying the great view extensively, we first return along the already familiar path (red triangle) and then follow the path with the white dot to the right. This path first leads over a rocky path with a medieval boundary stone and later continues steadily downhill through a forest path. We follow the white dot marking until we reach a junction where we meet the Pfälzer Weinsteig. Following this marking, we finally come to the Heidenlöcher. The Heidenlöcher are located on the summit of Martensberg (347 m) and are remains of a refuge castle from Carolingian or Ottonian times. The refuge castle was surrounded by a circular outer wall with a circumference of 450 m. Inside were about 80 to 85 buildings made of rubble stones. We cross the site by slightly keeping to the right (always watch the Pfälzer Weinsteig marking, which is on the wall remains) and reach after about 500 m of steep descent the Michaelskapelle. Here, we can enjoy the magnificent view over Deidesheim and the Rhine Plain. To the left of the chapel, we continue downhill along the Pfälzer Weinsteig until we reach a forest parking lot and shortly after a crossroads. Here, we meet the Deutsche Weinstraße hiking trail marked with green grapes on white background, which we follow northwards. The Deutsche Weinstraße hiking trail stretches from Bockenheim to Schweigen and winds along the edge of the Palatinate Forest Nature Park through the landscape of vineyards. Between forest and vineyards, we hike above Forst back to Wachenheim. Along the way, we constantly enjoy great views over the vineyards' slopes and the surrounding villages. At the entrance to Wachenheim, we directly reach Burgstraße and arrive after just a few meters back at our starting point, the parking lot with the hiking information board in the town center.

Sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, sun and rain protection, as well as sufficient supplies of food and drinks should be carried in case no rest or shopping facilities are available or open. Although the path is continuously marked, you should always carry a suitable hiking map for safety reasons.

For safety reasons, we always recommend carrying a suitable hiking map so that, for example, in case of a thunderstorm or emergency, one can quickly find a safe area. Especially in autumn, be aware that fallen leaves can cover unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. After storms, trees can still fall or branches may hang down. Especially in adverse weather conditions, natural paths can have muddy and slippery sections. You should expect impairments like these when hiking. If you believe certain path sections are impassable for you, you should bypass them.

Via A650 to Friedelsheim exit, then continue on L527 and L525 to the center of Wachenheim. Navigation address: Burgstraße, 67157 Wachenheim an der Weinstraße.

By train to Neustadt/Böbig or Bad Dürkheim, then from there by regional train to Wachenheim/Pfalz. From Wachenheim train station, follow the feeder trail of the Pfälzer Weinsteig (red-yellow) towards Wachtenburg.

Directly at the starting point at the parking lot in Burgstraße.