Palatinate Almond Path Stage 03 Bad Dürkheim to Neustadt

The 3rd stage of the Palatinate Almond Path starts at the Wurstmarkt square in Bad Dürkheim and initially leads through Schlossgartenstraße into the spa park. In the spa park, the Isenach flows like a blue ribbon for 1.5 km through the park. It begins at the sandstone-built spring basin, passing flower beds, eleven bridges and stepping stones, a cascade basin, a water wheel, a water playground, and a water fountain. Back on the path, it goes past St. Ludwig Church, over Kurgartenstraße, out of the park again, and via Römerplatz to the town square. Turning left, the Almond Path leads out of town via Weinstraße Süd, Seebacher Straße, and Schenkenböhlstraße. Just behind the last houses, a detour to the right to the Flag Tower is worthwhile. From there, there is a magnificent panoramic view of terraced vineyards, over the Rhine plain and Palatinate Forest with the Limburg monastery ruins and Bismarck tower.

Back on the Almond Path, the route continues south into the large vineyard area called “Schenkenböhl.” Before the parking lot/wine street window, the Almond Path turns right and then zigzags to the edge of the Palatinate Forest and then turns left into Wachenheim. The next small stage destination is a fantastic viewpoint near the Wachtenburg ruins. Beforehand, the Almond Path makes a detour via Mühlwiesenstraße, Bornweg, and Raingasse to the old town wall. Following south a bit and then turning right through a small alley, the path leads to Gartenweg. Take another deep breath; now the path goes diagonally opposite through Sudetenstraße and Schlossgasse up to the castle. The highest point is reached! In the castle tavern, you can refresh yourself, and in the castle museum, discover the castle model and many small inconspicuous exhibits that convey impressions of life from earlier times. From there, it continues a bit above the rooftops of Wachenheim towards the south, then down stairs into Odinstal and onward to the stele “Most Beautiful Wine View of the Palatinate 2016.” Turn around once more and enjoy the prize-winning view of the Wachtenburg before going back a few meters into town, then immediately turning right along the edge of the Haardt towards Deidesheim.

From afar, the church tower of St. Margareta in Forst already greets you, a baroque church building from 1723. The fine wine town is nestled in the best Riesling vineyard areas of the German Wine Route. One of these famous Forst vineyard areas is now also led through by the Almond Path: the “Mariengarten” is easily recognized by the Madonna statue that protects it. A few meters further is the biotope “Am Kirchenberg,” a roughly 12-hectare area above Deidesheim where the cultivated landscape with terraced vineyards and traditional orchards has been secured for the future. Along the way, beautiful views repeatedly open down to the Rhine plain and the sea of vines, but also to the Michaels Chapel, which peeks out from the Palatinate Forest. The Almond Path then continues over the Moosbach. Here a small detour off the Almond Path is worthwhile to descend into the wine town Deidesheim. The sights invite a stop, and the wineries and gastronomy offer something for every taste.

The Almond Path leads to the right over the hiking parking Sensental and immediately turns left. It continues directly along the forest edge above the vineyard area “Paradiesgarten.” Slightly downhill, there is also a statue here: Eva, who has found her new paradise here after being expelled from the Garden of Eden. Always further along the forest edge, the path leads over the hiking parking Mühltal, past the forest restaurant Pfalzblick, a short stretch through the forest, and then into the Neustadt wine village Königsbach. Through the village, the path goes via Erika-Köth and Franz-Kugler streets, into Hirschhornring, right on Erlenbergstraße, right again on Neubergstraße and to the König-Ludwig pavilion at the village end, where King Ludwig I is said to have proclaimed: “The garden of Germany, the blooming Palatinate!”

Along a wonderful almond-lined avenue, the path goes down into the wine village Neustadt-Gimmeldingen, where the earliest wine festival of the year in the Palatinate has been celebrated for decades: the Almond Blossom Festival. Past the cemetery, the Almond Path leads to Meerspinnstraße. Those who want to not only admire the blossoms but also learn something about the different almond varieties should plan a short stop at the Almond Educational Trail here. The path continues along Meerspinnstraße, then right into Haberackerstraße and from here left into Peter-Koch-Straße. Here the Almond Path crosses a small green area and leads zigzag behind the Meerspinn hall and the primary school, through another green area back onto Peter-Koch-Straße, which leads left out of Gimmeldingen. The path then runs a short stretch along an almond tree avenue, which is crossed and then leads back a short way. Once at the outskirts again, the Almond Path leads along the edge and then below the residential area turns left through the vineyards of the “Herzog” vineyard area towards Neustadt-Haardt. Through the village, it goes via the streets Am Herzel and Lettenweg and back into the vineyards and between the vineyard areas “Herzog” and “Herrenletten,” over Probstgasse and past the cemetery to Aspenweg in Neustadt.

Diagonally opposite, a narrow path leads over stairs to Sulzwiesenweg. It continues left until Villenstraße. Here you encounter Villa Böhm, which is worth a visit with its changing art exhibitions. The Almond Path leads down Villenstraße to Strohmarkt. Opposite is the pedestrian zone. This leads past the historic market square and the collegiate church — a detour is worthwhile — and further through the picturesque shopping street, which ends at the intersection with Tal- and Landauer Straße, marking the end of this stage.

We recommend for your hiking tour:

- weatherproof clothing

- sturdy footwear, preferably hiking boots

- sufficient provisions for the day (food & drink)

(These are just recommendations, please check the weather forecast beforehand!)

Directions to Bad Dürkheim:

Coming from Autobahn A65 (south):

- take exit B271 towards Deidesheim/Bad Dürkheim

- leave B271 right towards Bad Dürkheim town center

- turn left at the junction and then enter Bad Dürkheim

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

Coming from Autobahn A650 (north/east):

- continue on B37

- enter Bad Dürkheim

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

Coming from Autobahn A6 (west):

- take exit B271 towards Bad Dürkheim/German Wine Route

- in Kallstadt leave B271 to the right (Leistadter Straße)

- at the roundabout, drive towards Bad Dürkheim on L517

At the town entrance on the opposite side from you is the large free Wurstmarkt parking lot.

Directions to Neustadt:
Coming from Autobahn A65:

- take exit Neustadt South

- follow B39 towards Neustadt/train station

The parking lot at the train station (paid) is on the left side.

Alternative parking: Festwiese parking lot (free)

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

The nearest stop to the tour start: Bad Dürkheim Train Station

The nearest stop to the tour destination: Neustadt Train Station

Bad Dürkheim:

- Wurstmarkt parking lot at the salt pans in Bad Dürkheim

Neustadt:

- Parking lot at the train station (paid)

- Festwiese parking lot (free)

Do you want to know more about the Palatinate Almond Path and the surroundings of the individual tours?

Then you will find all information about the Almond Path, packages, and accommodations 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 Path, you can contact these tourist information offices:

Deutsche Weinstraße e.V. Mittelhaardt – Phone: 06321/912333

Tourist Information Bad Dürkheim – Phone: 06322/935140

Tourist Information Wachenheim – Phone: 06322/9580801

Tourist Service GmbH Deidesheim – Phone: 06326/9677

Tourist Information Neustadt a.d. Weinstraße – Phone: 06321/926892

You can find dining and supply options along the route here!

Have fun!

Enjoy the plant splendor of the spa park and take a detour to Deidesheim with its historic town hall and extraordinary fountains.