Burgruine Drachenfels to Schlüsselfels : Dragon’s Rock Scenic Hike in germany’s Pfälzer wald

The Felsenland region of Germany is filled with cone shaped mountains, some of which the tops of the mountains have eroded away into the magnificent red sandstone peaks and cliffs with fortified castles built into the stone like the above Burgruine Drachenfels.

What is Burgruine Drachenfels?

This fun and spooky place is located near the village of Busenberg and has it’s own children’s playground and hütte (mountain hut) serving simple food/drinks. There are seasonal bunkbeds for long distance hikers or families that want to stay in the woods overnight.

The Dragon’s Rock castle ruin is nicked named the “molar tooth” and dates back to approximately 1219 but the records are unclear.

Burgruine Drachenfels is part of the German-French line of castles including Bewartstein (3 km), Dahn Castles (3km), Lindelbrunn (6km), & Wegelnburg, Fleckenstein, Hoehenburg and Löwenstein (10km).

The purpose of this guide is to show you a great dayhike filled with steep hills, cliffs and views of nearby Berwarstein Castle from atop the cliffs of Schlüsselfels. Just keep a hand on the little ones near the cliffsides.

Hike Guide

This is part of Palatinate Hiking series exploring the region of northern France and western Germany.

This densely forested borderland between France and Germany has switched hands innumerable times, and the borders are not so clear.

📹Walk with me on the hike in October’s Fall splendour and see the cliffs!

This guide is for history lovers who want to merge in a little Nature on their travels.

Read until the end where you can find a secluded spa hotel with it’s own 2 Michelin starred restaurant that rewards your day of hiking with upscale delicious cuisine.

When You Can Hike the Burgruine Drachenfels

It’s possible all year, but the best time is in October where you can have the trail to yourself and the hütte is still open.

This Burgruine Drachenfels hiking guide includes detailed GPS guidance (without any special apps) so it’s simple and not frustrating to find your way, get local food recommendations, and history highlights.

This hiking area is located in the single largest forest in Europe. It spans the French and German borders. In Germany it’s called the Palatinate forrest and in France it is called the Vosges.

However, it’s really the same continuous forest dotted with dozens of castles and distinctive red stone spires atop cone shaped small mountains.

You can hike year round, but many huts and restaurants will close at the beginning of November and reopen in April or May depending upon weather.

Burgruine Drachenfels Hiking Map

Google map – Like a Hiking Guide in your pocket.

Burgruine Drachenfels – Schlüsselfels Hike : Trail Report

This simple loop starts at the Drachenfelshütte parking lot, goes up to play on the Drachenfels castle ruin and then loops one big circle to see the Schlüsselfels cliffs (picture below).

Burgruine Drachenfels

Distance: 2.7 miles, 4.4 km
Elevation: 500 feet up/down
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
GPS: Komoot 4 Castle to Castle Loop guide

Free GPS Komoot: My Komoot collection of Palatinate Hikes:  has one free region to download
Start/end point: Free Parking at Drachenfelshütte

Kid-friendly: yes, 3+.  Playground at start. Smaller children will likely need to be carried in packs.
Stroller-friendly: no

Warning: There are cliffs at Schlüsselfels. You do not have to go on this area with small children. It is a slight side detour from the loop trail (about 40 feet off main trail).

Burgruine Drachenfels has railings the entire way for safety.

🥾😓 Feeling Overwhelmed Planning a Hike? Use my custom-built online Hiking Time Calculator for Non-techie People.

Travel Tips

How to Get to Burgruine Drachenfels Pfalz

The easiest way to reach this hiking at Burgruine Drachenfels and cultural area is by car. It is good to pair with an overnight trip that includes time spent in nearby Colmar or Strasbourg. The famous Alsatian wine route is in this Vosges mountain region and tours of the medieval über cute villages like Hunawihr, Riquewihr, Eguisheim, and Kaysersberg.

About 15 min away from Burgruine Drachenfels by car is the Alsace of eastern France. It’s known for stunning red pinnacle spire mountains, impossibly cute villages, castles and delicious foods like flammkuchen (a type of white pizza), quiches and sauerkraut.

• KMC to Burgruine Drachenfels : About 1 hour drive
• Stuttgart/Wiesbaden to Burgruine Drachenfels : 2 hours drive
• Strasbourg to Burgruine Drachenfels: 1 hour drive

Hütten : Huts

Various mountain huts line these forests that are seasonally open with community bunk beds and restaurants. Check their website for more information on booking. 

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