Mehlinger Heide with Dampfnudelhof
- Pfalz mit Kids
- 21. Dez. 2025
- 2 Min. Lesezeit
A SPLENDOR OF PURPLE COLORS IN THE HEATHLAND BIOTOPE
When the Mehlinger Heide heath blooms in August and September, hikers are treated to a magnificent display of purple colors.
FACTS
Price: free
Weather: dry weather, sunshine
Age: suitable for kindergarten children
Location: Mehlingen
Heathland adventure trail with stations
The heathland adventure trail is highly recommended for children – but please avoid it in very hot weather, as there is absolutely no shade. The trail is located on the right side of the motorway and is also known as the "little heath." This circular route features various information panels and activity stations for kids. The motorway poses no danger, however, as it is fenced off and runs further down the road.
Purple as far as the eye can see
The heath blooms in August – usually reaching its peak by the second weekend of August. It's recommended to park at the hikers' parking lot and walk part of the heathland adventure trail (approx. 2 km). The heath really becomes a sea of purple, however, on the left side of the motorway in the "great heath." You can reach it via a large motorway bridge. Depending on the temperature and your stamina, you can hike various distances here. We only walked the short stretch to the "industrial area" exit and then past the Jewish cemetery to the Dampfnudelhof (steamed dumpling farm). Alternatively, you can also stop for refreshments at the Flammkuchen Hütte (tarte flambée hut).
End at the playground
After our refreshments, we headed back across the "little heath" to the parking lot. An ice cream truck at the playground then provided a lovely ending to our outing.
Important: The paths are very sandy; a stroller could get stuck. We were there with our bike trailer, which has large tires. An all-terrain stroller should be able to manage it too.
Adventure Letterboxing
Update: Unfortunately, the Heide Box is no longer there!
In the Mehlinger Heide heathland, you can try an alternative to geocaching: there's a letterbox hidden there especially for children, waiting to be found. The heathland box has its own children's stamp and is hidden along the heathland adventure trail.
I have written more about geocaching and what letterboxing actually is in the article "Geocaching and Letterboxing in the Palatinate". Summarized for you.
*Unpaid advertising* - I received no compensation for this report.
Impressions
Advertisement
More information
With the Wanderfit app you can plan your tour in advance and receive lots more information:
You can stop at the Pfälzer Dampfnudelhof (Palatinate Steam Dumpling Farm) for heathland cocktails and delicious steam dumplings, or at the Flammkuchen Hütte (Flammkuchen Hut):