Palatinate Almond Trail Stage 02 Kleinkarlbach to Bad Dürkheim

The second stage begins at the town exit of Kleinkarlbach at the cemetery. The route runs on a roadside cycle and hiking path parallel to the L717 below Battenberg and the castle of the same name for just over 2 km straight to Bobenheim am Berg and through the town, past the Catholic church, continuing to Weisenheim am Berg. At the entrance to Weisenheim, Bobenheimer Straße leads into the town. Here the highest point of the stage is already reached - from here it mostly goes downhill.

Continue left into the main street and across the village square directly through the town with its many opportunities to stop and eat. At the end of the town, the bypass road is crossed and the L522/Herxheimer Straße is followed for about 1 km. The path turns left, passes through the "Mandelgarten" vineyard for a stretch, and then bends to Herxheim am Berg. In the town, a detour to the castle garden next to the St. Jakob church is worthwhile. From there, you have a wonderful view of the Rhine plain up to the Odenwald and of the first almond plantation in Germany in the neighbouring town of Freinsheim with well over 1,000 almond trees.

Along the Wine Route, the Almond Trail leads to the southern exit of Herxheim and further below the wine cooperative, offset to the right, up a hill, then descending again in a tight curve past the Herxheim karst cave. Past the valley entrance to the Berntal/Felsenberg nature reserve, the path runs alongside old and new almond tree stocks parallel to the Wine Route towards Kallstadt.

The Wine Route leads into the town. In front of the church in the town centre is the Kallstadt tourist information point at the Place of 100 Wines, the central festival and parking area. The Almond Trail now turns right, slightly uphill into Leistadter Straße, and at the town exit turns left into Backhausgasse. After about 200 m it goes right into the well-known Kallstadt vineyard "Saumagen", then after another 100 m left towards the south, past the small Kallstadt lake and then immediately left and right again. The Almond Trail continues slightly uphill to the south and on the hilltop offers a view of Bad Dürkheim. After a few meters, the Roman villa at Weilberg is reached.

From the villa, it goes west past the Roman press house and then past three small viewpoints with benches and the old place of execution to the south. A highlight along the way is a winegrower's wall crowned with some veteran almond trees that is over 100 meters long. To the south, it then goes over the Michaels Chapel on the shortest route into the city. Upon reaching the Wine Route, the Wurstmarktplatz lies opposite, where the world's largest wine festival – the Wurstmarkt – is held annually in September. Here at the square, with the graduation tower to the left and the giant barrel to the right, is the end of the stage. On the detour to the graduation tower, one of the longest in Germany, you can smell the famous “sea breeze of the Palatinate.” Enjoy the view over the spa park, town and vineyards from the 666 m long promenade.

We recommend for your hiking trip: 

- weatherproof clothing

- sturdy footwear, preferably hiking boots

- sufficient provisions for the day (food & drink) 

(These are only recommendations, please check the weather forecast in advance!) 

The vineyards are partly worked with large equipment (harvesters, narrow-track tractors etc.). There are many blind spots for the vehicle operator where walkers and other pedestrians as well as cyclists cannot be seen. Please pay attention to machine noises and behave cautiously and considerately.

Directions to Kleinkarlbach:

Coming from the motorway A6:

- take the exit B271 towards Bad Dürkheim/German Wine Route

- leave B271 turning left towards Altleiningen/Kleinkarlbach

- pass the entrance to Kleinkarlbach and follow Hauptstraße

For the parking lot at the elementary school turn right into Neuen Weg.

For the parking lot at the community centre turn right onto Werner-Spieß-Straße and then right onto Bachweg.

Alternative parking option: At the town exit turn left onto L517 and follow it for about 600 m, then turn right to the hiking parking lot Krumbachtal.

Directions to Bad Dürkheim:

Coming from motorway A65 (south):

- take exit B271 towards Deidesheim/Bad Dürkheim

- leave B271 turning right towards Bad Dürkheim town centre

- turn left at the intersection and then enter Bad Dürkheim

At the town entrance on the left is the large free Wurstmarktplatz parking lot.

Coming from motorway A650 (north/east):

- continue on B37

- enter Bad Dürkheim

At the town entrance on the left is the large free Wurstmarktplatz parking lot.

Coming from motorway A6 (west):

- take exit B271 towards Bad Dürkheim/German Wine Route

- leave B271 in Kallstadt turning right (Leistadter Straße)

- at the roundabout, head towards Bad Dürkheim on L517

At the town entrance, on the side opposite you is the large free Wurstmarktplatz parking lot.

You can check the route network and departure times of buses and trains at www.vrn.de or by phone: 01805 8764636.

The nearest stop to the tour start: Bus stop Kleinkarlbach, turning point Battenberg

The nearest stop to the tour destination: Bad Dürkheim station

Kleinkarlbach:

- parking lots at the community centre and at the elementary school

- alternative parking option: hiking parking lot Krumbachtal

Bad Dürkheim:

- Wurstmarkt parking lot at the saltworks in Bad Dürkheim 

Do you want to learn more about the Palatinate Almond Trail and the surroundings of the individual routes?

Then you will find all information about the Almond Trail, packages and accommodation on the website: www.mandelbluete-pfalz.de as well as on the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/mandelbluete.pfalz. 

Furthermore, if you have questions about this stage of the Almond Trail, you can contact these tourist information offices:

Deutsche Weinstraße e.V. Mittelhaardt - Tel.: 06321/912333

Leinigerland e.V. - Tel.: 06359/8001820

Holiday region Freinsheim - Tel.: 06353/989294

Tourist Information Bad Dürkheim - Tel.: 06322/935140

You can find places to eat and supplies along the route here!

Have fun! 

Enjoy the view from the Herxheim a. B. castle garden and at the destination, take a look at two landmarks of the spa town: the graduation tower and the giant barrel.