Palatinate Forest at sunset (Von Thomas - Adobe Stock)
History
The Pfälzerwald (Palatinate Forest) is the largest contiguous forest area in Germany, and lucky for you, right in your backyard. Its historical development dates back to the 1950s with the founding of the Nature Park, which was placed under preservation protection in 1967. Those preservation efforts were even expanded in the 1980s: Germans are serious about protecting their forest areas.
There is not only a lot of history in this area and so many opportunities for you to interact with the forest, it is also home to the Biosphärenreservat Pfälzerwald-Nordvogesen, which was designated by UNESCO as the first “cross-border biosphere reserve in Europe” because of its dual locales in the French and German border areas.
According to pfaelzerwald.de, “biosphere reserves help to preserve natural resources, prevent environmental pollution and raise awareness of environmentally friendly behavior.” This designation allows for a deeper relationship between the forest and the people of Germany who can gain a better understanding and appreciation of the area through preservation, conservation and educational opportunities and events. The German part of the forest has been recognized as a biosphere reserve since 1992 and the French part joined in 1998. This UNESCO site is home to many plants, animals, breathtaking views, castles and ruins.
The famous Devils Table (german Teufelstisch) near Hinterweidenthal (Von rphfoto - Adobe Stock)
Adventuring in the Forest
For those who like outdoor adventuring, the forest offers a variety of opportunities. If you want to experience Germany from above, there is paragliding and rock climbing. You can marvel at the gorgeous landscapes below by paragliding from one of the approved take-off mountain areas around Annweiler. Climbers have a variety of rocky crags that offer the chance to experience different climbing experiences: honeycomb walls, cracks, pebble deposits, cracks and friction plates.
Whether you are a seasoned long-distance hiker or just looking to take a leisurely stroll and perhaps see one of the 150 castles in the forest, there are plenty of trails. Within the biosphere portion, there are roughly 80 hiking starting points and over 100 huts to stop at along the trails. These huts offer a place to rest your feet, grab a hearty meal to fuel further hiking and, of course, some tasty local Palatinate wine. The most dedicated of hikers can take part in the Palatinate Forest Hiking Marathon which is held annually on the last Sunday of October.
Colorful sandstone formations in the Palatinate forest in Germany (Von Marcel - Adobe Stock)
Relaxing in the Forest
The forest isn’t all about sweating and working hard. It’s also a place to relax and enjoy leisurely activities. The entire family can enjoy geocaching, the use of coordinates and GPS devices to find hidden places and “treasures” throughout the area.
Throughout the year, there are four chances to check out the French-German Farmer’s Market at various areas throughout the Biosphere. At the market, up to 65 vendors offer French and German treats such as juice, honey, goat cheese, sausage, jam and wine. In 2025, the markets will be held on May 4th (Neustadt), June 15th (Rumbach), Sept. 7th (Grünstadt) and Oct. 19th (Maikammer).
To learn more about the conservation efforts, where to geocache, getting approval for paragliding or any forest related activities that sparked your interest, go to pfaelzerwald.de.
