The starting point of the hike is at the village square in Bechhofen. The path leads past the edge of town over meadows, along the forest edge, past the Bechhofen pond to the idyllic Lambsbach valley. At the old Käshofer Water House, the path turns right towards the WaldPark Schloss Karlsberg. Over narrow forest paths, the route gently ascends past the historic sites of the WaldPark Schloss Karlsberg to the ruins of the orangery. The "Karlslust" facilities with the bear pit, Tschifflik Pavilion, the Swan Pond with its cascades and plunge pool, only hint at the splendor of the castle complex, which was destroyed during the French Revolution. From here, the route descends to the Karlsberg pond. The further route ascends slightly over the Karlsberg to the Kehrberghütte. From up here, there is a wonderful view of Königsbruch near Landstuhl. After a short descent and crossing the forest, the route passes a beautiful idyllic hollow path back to the starting point.
UFFBASSE! - Campaign for considerate coexistence in nature
- Always behave predictively, friendly, and considerately towards everyone you meet on the way.
- Respect nature, do not destroy plants and always stay on the paths. Try to avoid excessive noise and leave the forest before dusk.
- Remember a trash bag for the way and take your waste back home.
- Please always keep your dog on a leash. Other visitors and animals thank you.
- Observe all path closures for your own safety, even on weekends.
- Park only in designated parking lots. Leave space for emergency vehicles and agricultural machinery.
- Give priority to agricultural and forestry traffic.
www.pfalz.de/uffbasse
Autorentipp
The hiking trail can be accessed at the parking lots Dorfplatz Bechhofen, Waldparkplatz Karlsbergerhof, Waldparkplatz Käshofer Straße, and Parkplatz Kehrberghütte.
Wegbeschreibung
We begin our circular hike at the village square in Bechhofen, where we immediately cross the main street and follow the signs down Ebertstraße. The street ends in a field path which we consistently follow. We ignore the first turn onto the Herzog Karl II August path. This is the junction of the circular route that we pass on the way back. Across meadows, along the edge of the forest, and past the Bechhofen pond, our path leads south through the forest and the Lambsbach valley gradually towards the southwest. Along the way, we first pass the turnoff to Käshofen, then the Schlagberghütte, the Käshofer Water House, and the Karl August spring. At the end of the valley, the path passes through a dense forest passage again before the signposted themed hiking trail bends right and climbs steeply into the forest.
We quickly reach the ruins of the Tschifflik Pavilion, which was built in 1785 in the Karlslust, presumably as a garden house, in the forest. A short way downhill, past the former cascades, we come upon the plunge pool and the Swan Pond, another relic of the Karlslust. The waters were created for visual purposes and to embellish the castle grounds, which at that time were still largely free of trees.
We continue our hike on the Herzog Karl II August path and, after another climb, reach the plant-overgrown stables of the castle complex via the Herzog terraces. The complex, mistakenly called the "bear pit," is arranged in a circle around the island in the middle and originally served as bird aviaries. There is also a small rest area by the stables, inviting us to linger in this surreal spot in the middle of the forest. Shortly behind the "bear pit," we pass the Mohren spring.
The hike now continues steeply uphill. On the ridge, we pass the so-called bird trough. At this spot once stood the gatehouse to Karlslust. We are now on the Apple Alley which leads straight to the former Karlsberg Castle. However, we turn right and, past the natural monument "Herzogskastanien," descend on a narrow path to the romantically located Hirschbrunnen in the forest—another relic of the castle complex.
From the spring, we hike a bit up the slope and finally reach a paved forest road, where we turn left. The path leads through the Ehrenhof of the former castle, of which only the ground plan can still be seen in the forest, to a large forest intersection. Immediately next to it are the ruins of the orangery. The building, like the rest of the castle, was destroyed down to the foundations during the French Revolution.
The hiking path now leaves the wide forest road shortly after the orangery and turns right onto a path. Moments later, we reach the picturesque Karlsberg pond, idyllically embedded in the forest. The Kneipp basin near the shore offers a welcome change on hot days before the last climb up Karlsberg.
Along the forest road on the ridge were the now barely recognizable outbuildings of Karlsberg Castle, such as the kitchen, stables, barracks, and also an inn. Now we leave Karlsberg at the former sheep farm, of which only the location is known, by turning right from the forest road onto a long straight path. After this, we reach another forest road which we follow to a forest parking lot.
Here, we cross the L 215 country road between Sanddorf and Bechhofen. The path winds uphill through the forest, past a spring, and merges onto a farm road running parallel to the summit of Kehrberg. We cross the road and, after a few meters, reach the summit of the large Kehrberg. Here there is the possibility to rest in the Gustav Köhler hut of the Pfälzerwald Association.
After a steep descent from Kehrberg, we pass through the following valley hollow and cross the L 215 country road again. Over the Bechhofer Kopf above Bechhofen and through fields and meadows, the path leads us through a hollow way to the aforementioned turnoff, which we follow to the left and thus return to the village square in Bechhofen.
Ausrüstung
For our hikes, we recommend the following standard equipment:
- Sturdy footwear
- Clothing adapted to the weather
- Sun and rain protection
- Sufficient supply of food and drinks, as not everywhere are there places to eat or shop available or open.
- Although the paths are very well marked throughout, it is advisable for safety reasons to always carry a suitable hiking map, so that you can quickly find a safe area in case of thunderstorm or emergency.
Sicherheitshinweise
Due to current events:
Corona Guide German Hiking Association
General notes:
Especially in autumn, be aware that fallen leaves on the ground can cover unevenness, roots, stones, or holes in the path. After thunderstorms or rainstorms, trees may still fall or branches may break off. Particularly under adverse weather conditions, nature paths can have muddy and slippery sections. Not all rocks or cliffs are secured with ropes or rails. Sure-footedness is required in some places. Expect such path impairments when hiking. If you find certain path sections unsuitable for you, you should bypass them.
NOTE:
We strive to announce any closures caused by forestry work or hunting parties on this platform. Nevertheless, there are situations where hiking trails are closed and we were not informed. If you unexpectedly encounter a closure or detour, please heed the signs for your own safety.
Buchempfehlungen des Autors
Weitere Informationen
Duke Karl August and Schloss Karlsberg
The ambitious Karl II August, also called "Hundskarl", was Duke of the Palatinate from 1775 to 1795 and transformed the estate "Louisenhof" into the famous Schloss Karlsberg from 1778 to 1788. The castle housed, besides the well-known castle library, several valuable works of art, which after destruction and plundering were divided among various castle complexes. Parts of the furnishings are now in Schloss Nymphenburg/Munich, while the painting collection hangs in the Alte Pinakothek. The remains and foundations of the castle complex are distributed throughout the WaldPark Schloss Karlsberg. Some are partially uncovered and restored ruins of Schloss Karlsberg and the orangery, the Karlslust with the ruins of the bear pit, Tschifflik Pavilion, and Swan Pond. In addition to the remains of the castle complex, the natural monument "Herzogskastanien", the Hirschwürzloch with Deer Spring, and the Karlsberg pond are also sights. Hikers find a special resting place on the large Kehrberg with a magnificent view of the West Palatinate moor landscape up to Höcherberg and Potzberg.
https://www.schloss_karlsberg.de
https://www.pfaelzer-muehlenland.de
Dining options: Hofbistro Bechhofen; Bäckerei Lapot Coffee corner; Kehrberghütte Pfälzerwald Association on the large Kehrberg, Homburg-Sanddorf Schießhaus, Fischerhütte Kirrberg
Hofbistro Bechhofen
Hauptstraße 85, 66894 Bechhofen
Tel.: +49 (0) 6372 9955990
Bäckerei Lapot, Coffee corner
Hauptstraße 68, 66894 Bechhofen
Tel. +49 (0) 6372 2779
Kehrberghütte of the Pfälzerwald Association Homburg
On the large Kehrberg, 66424 Homburg
Tel.: 0171 1901909
https://www.pwv-homburg.de
Schießhaus
Am Schießhaus 1, 66424 Homburg-Sanddorf
Tel.: +49 (0) 6841 3682
https://www.restaurant-schiesshaus-sanddorf.de
Kirrberger Fischerhütte
Am Fischweiher, 66424 Homburg
Tel.: +49 (0) 6841 9595342
https://www.fischerhuette_kirrberg.de
How to get there:
A6 Saarbrücken-Mannheim, exit Waldmohr, on L355 towards Homburg. After 2 km turn left onto L 223 towards Bechhofen, village square
Public transport:
Train to main station Homburg/Saar or Zweibrücken main station
From Homburg Bus 238
From Zweibrücken Bus 232
Dial taxi: 06337/6637
More info at http://www.pfaelzer-muehlenland.de
