Bear cave tour Rodalben

From here, you follow a section of the famous Rodalber Felsenwanderweg trail for around 700 meters, which, as a Wanderbares Deutschland quality trail, achieved an excellent second place in the multi-day tour category in the Hiking Magazine's "Germany's Most Beautiful Hiking Trail 2022" poll. The path meanders slowly northwards like a serpentine path. You then leave the rocky hiking trail on the right and follow a forest path for around 400 meters down into the Langenbachtal valley.

Once there, turn left and follow the southern valley path along the Langenbach stream. After about 500 meters, the path leads into the Wüstlangenbach valley with its idyllic ponds, where you can observe countless frogs and toads as well as fish in spring. After leaving this side valley, the trail continues in a south-westerly direction for around 1.2 kilometers to the end of the Langenbach valley, where the Langenbach stream - below the Langenbach rocks - leads romantically into the valley. From here, the path then turns north on the other side of the valley.

After about 300 meters, you reach the Bärenhöhle natural monument. Still down in the valley, there are seating areas, a large bear figure made of sandstone by local artist Stephan Müller, as well as a mini waterfall and a natural water treading facility. An ideal place to linger and unwind. Children also love this place, where they can play with the element of water in relative safety.

The steep ascent to the two caves begins opposite. The lower cave, which is much smaller, is characterized by the small stream that rises in the upper cave and cascades over a rocky outcrop into a rock pool from where it flows further into the valley. An oasis of peace in the middle of the Palatinate Forest Nature Park. After a short, steep climb, you finally reach the upper, much larger and much deeper Bärenhöhle cave. If you want to get to the spring at the back, you will need a flashlight and have to climb a little. Overall, the formation of the imposing, "two-storey" Bärenhöhle rock formation can be interpreted as a creation of water. Over the course of thousands of years, erosion forces, frost blasting and winds have created this wonderful natural monument. In the outdoor area in front of the upper cave, there are several seating areas where you can take a break and have a picnic.

In this area you will also find the connecting route of the town of Pirmasens to the well-known long-distance hiking trail Pfälzer Waldpfad, which leads through the Rodalber district on the other side of the valley.

From now on, keeping to the right at the upper cave, you follow another beautiful section of the Rodalber Felsenwanderweg. This takes you through wonderful, light-flooded mixed forests - past numerous other interesting rock formations, such as the water rock - further and further in a north-easterly direction. You will pass several small springs and rivulets crossing the path, which is also reflected in the lush vegetation with ferns and other moisture-loving plants. After around 1.8 kilometers, you finally come to the L482, popularly known as the "Bärenhalde", which you have to cross carefully.

The last, smaller ascent of the tour to the Bruderfelsen rock begins opposite - coinciding with a section of the connecting route of the Palatinate Way of St. James. This towers high above the town of Rodalben and is its landmark. According to legend, the mighty sandstone pillars, shaped by weather and erosion, are said to be two brothers who turned to stone in a fierce fight over a woman. From here, you have a wonderful view over large parts of Rodalben. A seating area and a bench invite you to linger in this beautiful spot before descending into the valley.

You finally leave the rocky hiking trail directly at the Bruderfelsen and head north along the approximately 100-metre-long, steeply sloping Otto-Stolz-Pfad to Baumbuschstraße. From here, if you keep to the right, it is also only a few meters to the Rodalben municipal administration with the Gräfensteiner Land tourist information office located there.

However, the circular route continues to the left along Baumbuschstraße, over the Marienbrücke bridge to the old town center of Rodalben. Here, on the left-hand side of the main street, you will find several historic buildings such as the birthplace of Dr. Johann Peter Frank (1745-1821, German doctor, considered the founder of public hygiene and a socio-medical health service) as well as the square of the same name with further sculptures by Stephan Müller.

To the right of the bridge is the Marienkirche, Rodalben's first parish church, the construction of which began around 1360. The preserved Romanesque tower and the vaulted choir inside, decorated with frescoes, bear witness to this. The church was later extended in the Gothic style. Also worth seeing is the neighboring old rectory (now a one-world store) and the rainbow fountain on Marienplatz with its stream and the sculpture of the "Green Putsch Woman". This is a reminder of the time when Rodalber women offered their "Grünesputsche" (= soup greens) for sale at the market in neighboring Pirmasens.

The town center offers numerous cosy inns, restaurants, pubs and cafés within walking distance, which now, as the tour draws to a close, invite you to take a final break. The way back leads through Hauptstraße, Straße am Spiegelbrunnen, Bahnhofstraße and Pirmasenser Straße back to the starting point of the tour, the parking lot on the L482 (corner of Haupt-/Pirmasenser Straße). There is also another excellent restaurant here.

Particularly in the fall, you should also be aware that leaves lying on the ground can hide uneven surfaces, roots, stones or holes in the path. After thunderstorms or rainstorms, trees can still fall over or branches can fall down. Especially in adverse weather conditions, muddy and slippery passages can occur on near-natural paths. This type of path impairment must always be expected on hikes. If you are of the opinion that certain sections of the trail are not passable, it is better to avoid them.

In addition, not all rocks or slopes are secured with ropes or railings. Surefootedness is required in some places. Rocks should not be climbed, especially by children, as the brittle sandstone in particular poses a risk of falling for non-professionals. Never climb over railings and fall protection (danger to life).

Note - We always endeavor to announce all closures that occur due to forestry work or hunting parties on this platform. Nevertheless, there are situations in which hiking trails are closed and we may not have been informed. Should you unexpectedly encounter such a trail closure or detour, we ask you to follow the instructions for your own safety.

Take the B270, in the Donsieders-Biebermühle area change to the L497 towards Rodalben, continue on this road until the Rodalben-Stadtmitte/Pirmasens exit, turn right onto the L482 towards Clausen/Donsieders (Pirmasenser Straße), at the junction at the hotel/restaurant Zum Grünen Kranz turn right into the main road. The parking lot, which is also the starting and finishing point of the tour, is immediately on the right, opposite the junction with Lindersbachstraße.

Take the L482 from Pirmasens, follow it through the town in the direction of Clausen/Donsieders, turn right at the crossroads at the hotel/restaurant Zum Grünen Kranz into Hauptstraße. The parking lot, which is also the start and finish point of the tour, is immediately on the right, opposite the junction with Lindersbachstraße.

Follow the L482 from Clausen/Donsieders in the direction of Pirmasens and continue along Lindersbachstraße to the end. The entrance to the parking lot, which is also the start and finish point of the tour, is directly opposite.

It is only about 5 minutes on foot from the hiking station to the starting point of the tour via Bahnhofstrasse and Pirmasenser Strasse.

Please only park in the designated parking spaces and keep access routes for emergency vehicles and work routes in the forest clear. For overnight stays in campers and caravans, please only use the designated camper van parking spaces, for example in the center of Rodalben and at the Spielmannszug in Hettersbach.

Am Rathaus 9, 66976 Rodalben

Tel. 06331/234-180

E-mail : tourist@graefensteiner-land.de

www.grae fensteiner-land.de

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Travel guide page Gräfensteiner Land

Travel guide page Rodalben

Municipality of Rodalben

City of Rodalben

Old Town Rodalben with Dr. Johann-Peter-Frank-Birthplace

Rodalben hiking station

Tourist-Information Gräfensteiner Land

Tourist office Rodalben

Natural monument bear cave

Natural monument Bruderfelsen

St. Mary's Church

St. Joseph's parish church with church park

Poor sinner's fountain complex

Dean-Ehling-Hut

Wüstlangenbach rock with seating area

Gastronomy of Rodalben

One World Shop

Artist Stephan Müller

Hiking arena Palatinate Forest-North Vosges

Hiking menu Palatinate

Hiking Park Center Palatinate Forest

Palatinate Forest Trail

Palatinate Forest Nature Park

Sculpture Trail Rhineland-Palatinate

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Way of St. James connecting route

Motorhome sites Rodalben center

Motorhome pitches In der Hettersbach