4.9
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1,517
hikers
Rimbach-Steig Trail
05:29
17.1km
580m
Hiking
Hike the difficult 10.6-mile Rimbach-Steig Trail in the Palatinate Forest, featuring 1918 feet of elevation gain and panoramic views from Hü
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Biosphärenreservat Pfälzerwald-Vosges du Nord
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
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2.51 km
Dimbacher Häusel Rock Formations
Highlight • Natural Monument
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7.90 km
Nesselberg
Highlight • Natural Monument
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Tip by
15.3 km
Haselstein Rock Formation
Highlight • Natural Monument
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Tip by
17.1 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
7.37 km
5.74 km
3.63 km
310 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
7.42 km
7.16 km
1.06 km
935 m
306 m
213 m
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Elevation
Highest point (460 m)
Lowest point (230 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Saturday 9 May
24°C
9°C
65 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I park to access the Rimbach-Steig Trail?
The Rimbach-Steig Trail is a loop, so you can start at several points. Common starting points with parking include the villages of Schwanheim or Darstein, which are circled by the trail. Specific parking areas are usually well-marked within these villages.
Is the Rimbach-Steig Trail dog-friendly?
Yes, the Rimbach-Steig Trail is generally dog-friendly. However, given the challenging terrain with steep climbs, narrow rocky passages, and a steel ladder at the Hühnerstein, ensure your dog is fit enough for such conditions. Always keep your dog on a leash, especially in sensitive natural areas and near wildlife, and remember to pack enough water for both yourself and your pet.
What is the best time of year to hike this trail?
The Rimbach-Steig Trail is beautiful year-round, but spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are often considered ideal. In spring, the forest awakens with fresh greenery, while autumn offers spectacular fall foliage. Summer can be pleasant, but be prepared for warmer temperatures and potential crowds. Winter hikes are possible but require appropriate gear for potentially icy or snowy conditions on the challenging sections.
Are there any permits or entrance fees required for the Palatinate Forest Nature Park?
No, there are no specific permits or entrance fees required to hike the Rimbach-Steig Trail or to access the Palatinate Forest Nature Park. It is freely accessible to the public. However, please respect local regulations, stay on marked paths, and leave no trace.
What is the terrain like on the Rimbach-Steig Trail?
The trail features varied and demanding terrain. You'll encounter significant elevation changes, with steep climbs and descents, narrow rocky passages, and sections through mixed woodlands of beech and oak. It also winds through romantic meadows and parts of vineyards, offering a diverse walking experience. Sturdy footwear with good grip is essential.
Is this trail suitable for beginners?
No, the Rimbach-Steig Trail is classified as difficult and is not recommended for beginners. It requires a good level of fitness, sure-footedness, and experience with challenging terrain due to its numerous and often extreme inclines, rocky sections, and overall length of approximately 17 kilometers.
What kind of scenery and landmarks can I expect to see along the route?
The route offers unique panoramas and impressive natural beauty. You'll see mighty sandstone formations like the Hühnerstein, Häuselstein, Hockköpfel, and Hockerstein. Key highlights include the Dimbacher Häusel Rock Formations, Nesselberg, and Haselstein Rock Formation. From various viewpoints, you can enjoy sweeping vistas of the Palatinate Forest and the Rhine plain, and on clear days, even the distant Black Forest. The trail also showcases cultural landmarks like wayside crosses, chapels, and old vineyard huts.
What's a must-see viewpoint or unique feature on the trail?
A definite highlight is the Hühnerstein, a 456-meter-high rock formation. A steel ladder leads to a viewing platform at its summit, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire region, complete with a wind rose for geographic orientation. It's a rewarding challenge and provides some of the best vistas on the trail.
Does the Rimbach-Steig Trail connect with other hiking paths?
Yes, the Rimbach-Steig Trail is part of a network of paths in the Palatinate Forest. While you'll primarily follow the Rimbach-Steig, the route also passes through sections of the Pfälzerwald Roter Punkt, Waldläufer Marathon, and August-Becker-Weg, among others. It also intersects with the Dimbacher Buntsandstein-Höhenweg (Premium-Wanderweg) for a short stretch.
Are there places to eat or drink along or near the trail?
Yes, the trail thoughtfully combines nature with local culture. It passes through picturesque wine villages like Schwanheim and Darstein, offering opportunities for refreshment. You can find local taverns and the Wasgauhütte along or very close to the route, perfect for a break and to sample regional cuisine or wine.
What should I pack for a hike on this trail?
Given the trail's difficulty and length, pack sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support, plenty of water (especially on warm days), snacks, and appropriate clothing layers for changing weather conditions. A map or GPS device (like the komoot app) is recommended, along with sun protection and a basic first-aid kit. Trekking poles can also be helpful on the steep ascents and descents.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
I hiked the Rimbachsteig for the first time in a while. It's by far the most beautiful and challenging premium hiking trail here in the Southern Palatinate. It offers everything the Palatinate Forest has to offer. Absolutely beautiful 😊
Girls Monday, today for two, Tanja has chosen the Rimbachsteig for us and planned a stop in Darstein. The weather forecast this morning was rather modest, but what the heck ... let's go. Parked in Schwanheim and off we went, without rain, what can I say, I'm really flashed by this beautiful, demanding hike. Rocks and viewpoints alternate, each more beautiful than the other. We already knew the chicken stone with ladder, where the hiking trails cross. Our stop on Mondays finally worked out at the Gasthaus Krone, we felt like we were about 40-50 years back, but the food was delicious. Great day with lots of great impressions, sweaty but dry from above and the 🌞 has also shown itself. Premium more than earned 😍
Round from Saturday on the Rimbach-Steig through the Palatinate Forest. Start was at the manageable parking lot in Darstein. From here, the hike follows the continuous signposting of the trail in a large circle around Schwanheim. Numerous vantage points and rock formations worth seeing are headed for on the varied tour. Paths mostly paths, easy to walk with basic sure-footedness. The two small "scrambles" on the wire rope insurance and on the ladder to the Hühnerstein are very easy to do, but optional if in doubt. You can just walk past it and only miss 2 viewpoints. Enough others remain. Wintry sunny 6°C with a light wind, which could sometimes be fresh in exposed locations. Still great for this time of year :)
Rimbach-Steig with a detour to the Kieungerfelsen. Has been on the to-do list for a long time, finally done with Sohnemann and it was really worth it. Thanks to Chrissie & Paule for the tip!
We started the Rimbach Steig in Schwanheim. From there there are two ways to walk the path, via the Lourdes Grotto or via the Nesselberg. We decided to start at the Lourdes Grotto and hiked over the Hockerstein, the HochKöpfel, the Häuselstein to the Immersberg via the Haselstein to the Wasgau Hut. Then we went over the KühHungerFelsen to the Hühnerstein (via via ferrata) to the Nesselberg and back to Schwanheim. The tour was very well signposted but once again about 2 km longer than Komoot or Garmin had indicated, even though we practically didn't get lost. Just yesterday the tour was quite strenuous in the snow and icy conditions and, above all, very slippery down the mountain (despite good shoes, my Meindl shoes probably had summer tires on them). The tour is extremely beautiful with extremely beautiful views, super beautiful sandstone cliffs and great paths. Definitely one of the better tours in the Palatinate Forest, currently in my top five. The tour is also possible with dogs, but it is quite demanding. It was a lot of fun and I would love to do it again 🥳😊.
Beautiful hike - highly recommended 😍🍀🥾🌳🌞 Thanks to Äinschel for the idea
The Rimbach-Steig is a hiking trail of the difficult kind. After a few steep climbs ⛰ we were always rewarded with great views 😎. That's why we stayed a little longer in some places. Most of the paths were narrow and require sure-footedness. In the last third of the way, the Wasgauhütte invites you to a refreshment 🍷🥨. We had a great day, but our knees clearly show what we've achieved today. 🥾
There are days when everything just works out. Today was one of those days. We were actually close to canceling our hike because a really nice thunderstorm came down when we were about to set off. No matter, we took the risk, set off and it was a great day without a drop of rain. The Rimbach Steig is a beautiful, varied hike with everything the Palatinate has to offer. Highly recommended and with a nice stop at the Wasgauhütte.