Lichtenberg castle - Schloß Veldenz in Lauterecken - Veldenz Wanderweg (Leading Quality Trail - Best of Europe)

Before starting the hike, it is worthwhile to spend some time to visit the imposing and lovely castle buildings with their museums.

The view of Burg Lichtenberg remains for a long time on the trail. Behind the uplands of Körborn, the trail leads down slowly and soon after Ruthweiler we reach the county town of Kusel, the home of the famous German tenor Fritz Wunderlich.

Now it goes back uphill to Blaubach - the climb up is rewarded by panoramic views from the Ödesberg to Kusel. And now everyone is also   aware of why this landscape is called the "Palatine Uplands".

We descend down to Erdesbach and on the next hill reach the typical dry meadows of the nature reserve "Wartekopf. We follow the unchanged natural path over the Brückenberg towards Rathsweiler and behold, after the Kemmelsberg above the village of Niederalben, the next highlight of this tour - the "Mittagsfels" on the other side of the valley.

Along the climbing rocky path walkers welcomed by an impressive formation of volcanic stone and gigantic views of the "Steinalp-Schleife". Protected plants like the pasqueflower blossom here in spring. Here you should take your time and enjoy this stunning natural landscape.

After crossing the beautiful village of Glanbrücken, the footpath   leads back on quiet paths to the level where the effort necessary is rewarded by fantastic views.

After Nerzweiler, above Aschbach the Veldenzer Wanderweg crosses another predicate trail, the Pfälzer Höhenweg, along which you can reach the town of Wolfenstein.

Through a magnificent forest, where you can feel the peace and quiet of times gone by, we arrive at at the   Ziegelhütte in the Lauterbach. After passing under the B 270 the Veldenz Wanderweg passes through the village of Heinzenhausen and winds its way past old vineyard walls and vineyards up to Hohenöllen.

Here opens up a view of the valley of the Lauter to the   "Lauter-Schleife", which can only be described as   being magnificent. 

We now pass through the valley of Sulzbach and arrive at the impressively large Hobstätter Hof which belongs to the municipality of Einöllen. Through a little wood and fields, with many long-distance views, we arrive at the Ausbacherhof. 

These two family farms with direct marketing as well as a learning and theme park invite you to stay just a lttle bit longer. On the varied trails around the Steinkopf, you can really get away from it all.

We reach Reipoltskirchen, wander through the town to the Wasserburg and the Skulpturenpfad sculpture trail, which used to lead around the castle. The sculptures are complemented again by landscape art, "Art in the Open". 

The Wasserburg Reipoltskirchen was extensively restored in recent years and is a real gem with the flooded moat and the imaginatively-designed railings. Here it is worthwhile visiting   the castle and then stopping for a refreshment.

The grandiose "wide eyes" of the Palatine uplands that accompany hikers can next be enjoyed following the climb up to the next village of   Cronenberg. 

Following a small stream, we then cross again the valley of Sulzbach and, having arrived at the top of the hill, we leave the forest and reach the forest tavern   "Am Weiher" (Pfälzerwald-Verein Ortsgruppe Lauterecken) with its beautiful views of the town of Lauterecken. The hut is open Sundays from Easter until the autumn.

Now it's all downhill, your feet running almost by themselves towards the town of Lauterecken. A perfect destination following a wonderful trail stage! Loving-renovated over the years, the old town has a lot to offer as well as numerous opportunities to refresh oneself. Whether in the Stadtcafe or   the Restaurant Lauterecker Toscana or in Pfaelzer Hof – you will be in good hands anywhere in Lauterecken.

The Veldenz-Wanderweg passes through the uneven landscape of the Palatinate highlands, lined with stunning panoramic views over to the Hunsrück and the Palatinate.

Along the way, romantically-situated benches invite you to sit down and enjoy the views.

There is also the opportunity to refresh oneself along the trail or at the beginning or end of the trail.