4.6
(247)
854
hikers
Border Crosser Trail
02:08
7.19km
210m
Hiking
Hike the moderate 4.5-mile Border Crosser Trail - Palatinate Forest, gaining 693 feet with scenic forest views and rock formations.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
314 m
Grenzgängerweg Nothweiler–Wingen (Litschbach Trail)
Highlight • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.25 km
Litschhof Forester's House
Highlight • Other
Translated by Google •
Tip by
3.49 km
Kappelstein
Highlight • Summit
Translated by Google •
Tip by
4.82 km
Sankt Anna Stollen Ore Mine
Highlight • Historical Site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7.19 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
3.18 km
2.56 km
655 m
371 m
350 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
4.35 km
1.54 km
560 m
483 m
260 m
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Elevation
Highest point (460 m)
Lowest point (280 m)
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Thursday 7 May
19°C
4°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
This route was planned by komoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the terrain like on the Border Crosser Trail?
The trail winds through a low-mountain range landscape, characterized by dense forests and deeply incised valleys. You can expect varied paths, including unpaved sections with loose stones, mud, and tree roots. The region is known for its bizarrely shaped red sandstone rock formations, especially in the southern parts of the Palatinate Forest.
What can I see along the route?
This route offers a mix of natural beauty and historical interest. You'll traverse the Grenzgängerweg Nothweiler–Wingen (Litschbach Trail), pass by the Litschhof Forester's House, and potentially reach the Kappelstein summit. The St. Anna Iron Ore Mine Visitor Center (Nothweiler) also lies along the way, offering a glimpse into the region's industrial past.
Is the Border Crosser Trail suitable for beginners?
Rated as 'moderate', this trail requires a good level of fitness and sure-footedness due to its varied terrain, which can include steep sections and uneven surfaces. While not overly long at about 7.2 km, it's more challenging than an easy stroll and is best suited for hikers with some experience.
What is the best time of year to hike this trail?
The Palatinate Forest is beautiful year-round, but autumn is particularly scenic as the deciduous trees display rich golden colors. Spring offers lush greenery and blooming wildflowers. Summer is pleasant, though can be warm, and winter hiking is possible but requires appropriate gear for potentially muddy or icy conditions.
Are dogs allowed on the trail?
Yes, dogs are generally welcome on trails in the Palatinate Forest. However, it's always recommended to keep your dog on a leash, especially in forested areas to protect wildlife and ensure the safety of other hikers.
Do I need any permits or pay an entrance fee to hike in the Palatinate Forest-North Vosges Biosphere Reserve?
No, you do not need a permit or have to pay an entrance fee to hike the Border Crosser Trail or other public trails within the Palatinate Forest-North Vosges Biosphere Reserve. However, please respect the natural environment and follow local regulations, such as staying on marked paths and not disturbing wildlife.
Where can I park to access the Border Crosser Trail?
Specific parking information for this exact route isn't provided, but trailheads in the Palatinate Forest, such as those near Nothweiler, typically have designated parking areas. Look for signs indicating 'Wanderparkplatz' (hiker parking) in nearby villages.
Does the trail intersect with other well-known paths?
Yes, this route is part of the Grenzgängerweg / Le sentier à saute frontier, which covers 100% of this specific Komoot tour. It also shares sections with other trails like Rotes Kreuz Nothweiler - Lembach, Hornbach-Fleckenstein Radweg, and the MTB-Park Pfälzerwald, Tour 14.
Are there places to eat or drink along the way?
While this specific 7.2 km route may not have direct refreshment stops, the Palatinate Forest region is known for its numerous huts operated by the Palatinate Forest Association, offering regional cuisine and hospitality. You might find options in nearby villages like Nothweiler or Wingen.
What makes this trail unique as a 'border crosser' route?
The Palatinate Forest, together with the Northern Vosges in France, forms the first cross-border UNESCO biosphere reserve. This trail exemplifies the region's unique cross-border connection, utilizing a dense network of footpaths and a common waymarking system developed by German and French hiking clubs, allowing you to literally 'cross borders' on foot.
What should I wear and bring for this hike?
Given the 'moderate' difficulty and varied terrain, sturdy hiking shoes with good grip are essential. While ankle-high boots aren't always necessary, they offer good support. Dress in layers suitable for the weather, bring sufficient water, snacks, and a map or GPS device like Komoot, as some paths can be unpaved and potentially less clearly marked.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
"The approximately 7 km long German-French premium trail is an exciting hiking tour across the border between Germany and France. On the "border crosser's trail", which stretches over long stretches through a varied forest landscape, information boards tell anecdotes from the "border history". On other boards you can learn about tragic local events from the world of the forest and the special features of the cross-border biosphere reserve Palatinate Forest/Northern Vosges. A visit to the visitor mine "Eisenerzgrube Nothweiler", which is located directly on the route, is not to be missed. Source: https://www.dahner-felsenland.net/vg_dahner_felsenland/Tourismus/Wandern/Premiumwanderwege/Grenzg%C3%A4ngerweg%207,0%20km/ Experience score: 63, distance: 7km; paths/narrow paths: 59% Nice little hike around Nothweiler. If you already know the castles in the area, you will find a nice hiking alternative here. A visit to the visitor mine is also worthwhile. It rained the days before and halfway along the route, but the path was still passable with a few minor drawbacks.
Start at the Nothweiler hiking car park. Final hike along and across the German-French border. At the summit of the Kappelstein you can see the ruins of the Wegelnburg, the Hohenbourg and Löwenstein. The distant views were somewhat obscured by the weather. Continue along the border path to the Nothweiler iron ore mine. Through Nothweiler back to the car park.
After my Hahnenfels tour, I've done this quite short but very nice round. From Nothweiler it goes briefly over to France and back again over a long climb. Great scenery anyway, the short rest at the ore mine is also a highlight. Coffee and cake and a non-alcoholic wheat beer for €7, where else can you find that today..... and the cheesecake was delicious too. Following the path back, you come across a forest nature trail before returning to the hikers' car park. I can only recommend the tour 👌
Hello, everyone! Today we hiked a tour in the border area of Germany and France. Viva la France! Border crossers The short, cross-border tour (see Deutsches Wanderinstitut/premium hiking trails), in which a few meters of altitude have to be overcome, leads through a varied forest landscape to beautiful vantage points and to the "Eisenerzgrube Nothweiler" visitor mine in the forest. There are places to stop for refreshments at the mine and in the pretty town center of Nothweiler. The hike was to my liking. Many narrow natural paths. Just awesome! LG and fresh up! joe
Today we went on a hike instead of a bike ride. It was raining all the time anyway, so you walk better ... The Grenzgängerweg near Nothweiler across the French border is beautiful, very varied, and runs over many paths. We never got bored. Unfortunately we had no view on the Kappelstein, the rainy weather was to blame. But the mood in the forest is always special when it rains. Fog veils and falling water droplets everywhere, there is something enchanted, fairytale-like ... We needed a little more than 2 hours for the round, plan more time with children. In addition, it is sometimes steep up and down, some surefootedness and stamina are an advantage. I will definitely go this way again .. 😁👍
Quite a strenuous hike for a first hike in this state of fitness. A beautiful forest in the border region. The Kappelstein has a charming little platform with a great view. And a forest lizard let me take a picture there 😍. Okay, it didn't stay completely still, but I caught it 🥰.
A leisurely little hike, mostly on narrow forest paths. Not spectacular, but perfect for those looking for peace and quiet as it is deserted. A good basic level of fitness is an advantage for the ascents and descents. The information boards along the way are also very interesting. You always learn something new 👍🏼
Very nice area and great weather. Therefore also very good visibility. Tour is highly recommended.