recommended route
Devil's Path - Pirmasens
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HaspelfelsenPhoto: Eva Brödel, WANDERarena Pfälzerwald/Nordvogesen
Experience the impressive flora and fauna of the Gersbachtal FFH area (Flora-Fauna-Habitat Conservation Area), which can be seen in the natural habitats of water, red sandstone rocks and forest.
Both in spring, when the flowers and fields along the route are in full bloom, and in winter, when large icicles form on the legendary rocks, Devil's Path has a unique charm.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
Despite the well-signposted trail markers along the premium hiking trails, we recommend for security reasons to always have an appropriate hiking map so that, for example when a storm occurs, you can quickly either find shelter or get out of the woods.Especially in the autumn it is also important to remember that leaves lying on the ground can conceal irregularities, such as roots, rocks or holes in the path. Following storms, trees can have been uprooted or have branches hanging down. Such path impairments have to be expected when using such trails . Especially in adverse weather conditions, it may occur that the trails and paths turn into muddy and slippery passages. Path impairments of this kind have to be expected when you go out for a hike. Not all rocks or slopes are secured with ropes or railings and sure footedness is required. Should you be of the opinion that these are not accessible to you then you should try and get around them.
Tips and hints
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
After a few minutes' walk passing the pond and a short climb, you reach the first major attraction of the hike: the Haspel Rock.
Continuing on a narrow path along the rock formation you get to another attraction: the Hühnerfelsen (chicken rock). From there the route leads in a large curve down into the valley again. After crossing the dam between pond number 3 and 4, the route leads uphill to car park K4. From there the route continues, partly along fields, on a flat stretch. After a hairpin bend, the route now goes downhill to the Teufelsbrunnen (Devil's Well) and the Teufelsfelsen (Devil's Rock) natural monument.
After the descent through the impressive rock formation, the path reaches pond number 3 with its idyllically situated cabin. The tour now turns to the right and follows the course of the Gersbach Creek, passing the eastern bank of pond 2, to the starting point of the hike, the Naturfreundehaus Niedersimten.
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Arrival by public transport: When you arrive at Pirmasens main station,
- either walk 600 m to Exerzierplatz, approx. 9 minutes
- or take the bus to Exerzierplatz bus station, approx. 5 minutes
Lines: 256, SWPS 206, 240, 255, SWPS 202
- from Exerzierplatz, take line 210 towards Niedersimten or line 255 towards Eppenbrunn or Trulben
- get off at the stop "Niedersimten Denkmal" or "Niedersimten Almstraße"
- from "Denkmal" follow Lothringerstraße for about 200 m to Gersbachtalstraße
- from "Almstraße" follow Almstraße for about 100 m to Gersbachtalstraße.
- Continue on Gersbachtalstraße for about 1.5 km until you get to the starting point of the trail, Naturfreundehaus Niedersimten.
Getting there
Parking
Start: Naturfreundehaus Niedersimten car park (Gersbachtalstraße, 66955 Pirmasens)
Other access points: Forest car park K4 (road between Erlenbrunn and Kettrichhof, 66955 Pirmasens)
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Sturdy footwear and all-weather clothing, sun and rain protection, and a sufficient quantity of food and drink, should no refreshment facilities or shopping possibilities exist or be open. Although the path is always very well marked, you should for safety reasons always have an appropriate hiking map with you.Statistics
- Waypoints
- Waypoints
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