Pirmasens Devil’s Path Hike (April Report)

I’ve been here three times to see these witchy waterfalls and devil wooden sculptures. I am confident that the early Spring is the best as the gush of the waterfalls has reduced quite a bit by April, but the newly budded neon green leaves are a nice contrast against the impressive red rock caves.

Author’s tl;dr:
🇩🇪 Germany: Low Mountain + Multi-Waterfall Day Hike

This ivy draped forest with a UNESCO style Pfälzer hut serving the ole’ classics like Saumagen and 2 euro wine with multi-waterfalls is a classic Pfalz hike everyone should try at least once.

4.7 miles, Soft, leaf carpeted trails

Located about 30 min from Kaiserslautern, Germany, this Rhineland Pfalz hike is perfect for those wanting an authentic Pfalzer experience with free flowing waterfalls to play under.

Related: If you love dramatic red rocks on your hikes check out my Drachenfels hiking guide in or the Kirkel Tafeltour. These are two of the best hikes near Kaiserslautern with super cool red sandstone rock formations.

➡️ 🍲Watch a video of our visit to a nearby waterfall red rocks hike that had AMAZING food at the Landhotel at the end of the hike.

The food is not “elevated” on this hike by any stretch, but it’s good and cheap and gives you insight into the local culture.

• What I really loved was having a sunset view of the final pond (we timed it just right) and we hiked a little extra than last time I came.
• What I thought was rough was getting into the water waterfall in a dumb dress and freezing to death trying to do fun photos.
• Komoot GPS

Devil’s Path Hiking Map

How to Use This Map:
Click on the icon on the top left-hand corner. You will now see an interactive list.

For more info on each, click on the map icons.

To see the map in more detail, click on the [ ] in the top right-hand corner. This will open a larger map where the details of each point can be found by clicking on the location point name in the list on the left.

You can also save the map for your own use by clicking the next to the map name. This will save the map to your Google Maps, where you can make a copy and use it for your own trip planning.

To view the saved map on your phone, open Google Maps, click “saved” on the bottom, and then “maps” on the lower right.

You will also like my related hiking guide: The German Wild Shower Hike : yes, that is a thing. A hike with a very impressive stone built shower. You’ve gotta see it.

Hike – My Experience

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Parking Lot – Haspelfels – Huhnerfels (:45)

Okay this hike starts off walking past the Naturfrendhaus alongside some man made ponds. You’ll follow the devil’s sign uphill to the right after about 15 min walking flat.

You’ll immediately be rewarded after a short climb with a massive red cave you can hike THROUGH! By April the waterfalls have become a trickle, but the ivy draping paths are really cool.

You’ll continue on leaf carpeted, and ivy draped single track with many red rock formations including the perfect cave to sit in for photos. Once you reach Hühnerfels, definitely take some time to sit at the picnic table next to the 40 foot high free flowing waterfall.

We decided to do photos. It was cold. And dark. I don’t think they came out well.

Huhnerfels – Teufelsbrunnen – Teufelsfelsen – Teufel himself – Then the REAL waterfalls – Parking (2:00)

You cannot miss the trail markers on this path. It’s actually a lovely and quiet trail going up and away from the first part of the trail with the big cave and chicken falls. Lots of pine trees and single track leading toward the statue of the devil.

After some time walking alongside a muddy farm field that is made to just feed the bees, you’ll head back downhill toward the main event.

The Teufelsbrunnen, then fels, then the ever cascading Teufelsfalls. This would actually be the ideal photo spot at sunset in the summer months.

You get direct sunlight from the fading sun in April.

We were too tired to do photos after freezing in the chicken falls.

Once you get down to the bottom there is a cool hut alongside the pond to chill. It’s a simple flat walk back to the parking that is nearby the Nature Friend house.

We arrived at 6 pm (past closing) and they served us! What !?!?! Very cool. I won’t lie though, I ate so much sauerkraut because it was delish … but that can do some things to your tummy.

I cannot say it’s the most delish food, but I’m a bit of a snob.

I do really love this place though, because it’s truly authentic…the people here are volunteers and they offer basic hostel accommodations for hikers and it seems like every OMA and OPA from Pirmasens comes here to chill.

It’s clean and well-kept and dearly loved by the locals. It’s quite surprising how popular it truly is. It gives “Notebook” vibes, if you know what I mean.

How to get there

By Car

Driving is the easiest way to get to this hike.

Reaching the parking lot by car is a straightforward journey, with the park conveniently situated next to the beginning of the trail.

By Bus

If you want to take the bus, you’ll need to get to Niedersimton via Pirmasens. There is a bus that runs here intermittently.

Food and Hutten on the Devil’s Path Hike

You’ve got two choices on this trail for huts.

Naturfreundehaus Niedersimten

This place is right at the start of the loop trail. I loved the authentic Pfalzisch food here complete with slow service. They have 7 double rooms for up to 21 people to stay overnight.

• Address & Contact:
• Naturfreundehaus Niedersimten
• Gersbachtal 100
• 66955 Pirmasens – Niedersimten
• Restaurant:
• Tenant: Jürgen Kunz
• Phone: 06331/46288
• Opening Hours (from September 18th, 2023):
• Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: Closed
• Wednesday, Friday to Sunday: from 11 a.m.

Room Reservation:

• Contact: Angelika Weishaar
• Phone: 06331 – 259 93 18
• Email: [email protected]

Three Books Hut (Drei Buchen Lemberg

This hut is not “directly” on trail but just a short detour. It’s part of the PWV system.

Waldhaus Drei Buchen in Lemberg is a hidden gem nestled in the lush forests of Germany, offering a serene escape for nature lovers and hikers alike. This quaint hut is the perfect pit stop for those exploring the trails around Lemberg, providing a place to rest and refuel amidst the beauty of the Rhineland-Palatinate region.

Bonus:

Every third Saturday of the month is schnitzel day!

• Opening Hours:
• Wednesday: from 11 a.m.
• Saturday & Sunday: from 11 a.m.
• Holidays: from 11 a.m.
• Kitchen Hours:
• Opens at 11:30 a.m.
• Contact Information:
• Address: Waldhaus Drei Buchen, 66969 Lemberg
• Phone: (+49) 06335 5228 (also available via WhatsApp)
• Email: [email protected]

More Images of this hike

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Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy rambling around the Rhineland Palatinate forest and catching some outdoor history and culture. How cool is that?

Have you experienced a cool trail nearby? We would love to hear how it was over on our facebook group Hiking Adventures in Europe.

We hope this guide about the Devil’s Path Hike – Teufelspfad Pirmasens has given you some helpful information to plan your next adventure.