Trekking in the Palatinate

Pfalz mit Kids
22. Dez. 2025
4 Min. Lesezeit

WARNING: TREKKING IS ADDICTIVE

"I don't dare..." - I hear this statement very often when we talk about our last trekking adventure in the Palatinate with the children.

With this account of my experience, I want to dispel any apprehension and encourage you to take this risk - with your children, friends or strangers.

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE AND INTO ADVENTURE!

In the Palatinate Forest, overnight stays are officially permitted at 15 designated sites, known as trekking camps. Here, you can pitch your tent for one night and then either move on to the next site or return home.

Trekking spots are now in high demand and weekends are quickly booked up. You can conveniently book and pay for your spot online for your desired date via the website of the Southern Wine Route Association (Südliche Weinstraße eV): www.trekking-pfalz.de

Book a trekking spot

Each trekking site has capacity for 4 small tents, a fire pit and a toilet – however, the condition of the sites varies. Sites in Vorderweidenthal, Annweiler or Kalmit are particularly popular.

Only after booking will you find out the exact location of the campsite and receive directions. Those traveling with children should contact the team at Südliche Weinstraße eV in advance to inquire about campsites that are within easy walking distance. All campsites must be reached on foot and are not accessible by car or public transport. Of course – you want to get out into the wilderness, where the foxes and hedgehogs say goodnight to each other.

And such an adventure is of course much more fun in a group - the children play together and the adults hold the children's sticks for roasting bread on sticks over the campfire - yes, that's how it is!

For those wanting to hike from one trekking site to another – a true trekking tour – the best option with children is to hike from site 3 to site 4. Start in Annweiler with a detour to Trifels Castle at site 3, and continue to site 4 the following day. The distances are short, and Annweiler itself offers good food options, including the Barbarossa restaurant, the climbers' hut, and delicious ice cream parlors, even though fires are not permitted.

EATING WHILE TREKKING

Speaking of campfire bread - what do people usually eat while trekking?

This depends entirely on whether there is a risk of forest fires at that time – because then the rule is: no fire and no cooking. So you should decide on the menu spontaneously.

We had sausages skewered on sticks and scored at the end, bread on sticks made from ready-made frozen pizza dough (which is super easy to transport and wrap perfectly around the stick), and for dessert marshmallows, also from a stick.

For breakfast I baked a loaf cake – dm sells sets of three cake tins that are great for transporting. I also had tea, water or hot chocolate (tip: pack the powder very well!) and milk, which is also available in smaller pouches.

Also very important: Plan for plenty of water. Most campsites don't have a water source nearby, and you underestimate how much additional water you'll need: brushing your teeth, making tea, preparing food, washing, and well, how many cups will inevitably be spilled – oops!

It's best to take the rest of your food and your rubbish into your tent to avoid tempting wild boars and other animals.

EQUIPMENT FOR TREKKING WITH CHILDREN

Tent, flashlight - what do I need for an overnight stay in the forest?

Actually, not that much – because you have to carry it all yourselves! Phew... but I have a few tips and a free packing list/checklist for you to download for trekking with (small) children:

Important: Make sure you have enough warm clothing – there's hardly anything worse than freezing children on a trek. Pack spare clothes in clear zip-top bags – that way you can quickly see what's inside and, most importantly, the clothes won't get damp! Thanks to Flo for this survival tip!

Also: Watch out for ticks – take insect repellent with you, because there are mosquitoes too! Our first-aid kit has also come in handy for the occasional plaster – luckily we've never needed anything more.

Oh, and I never take toys with me – the children are so busy in the woods collecting firewood, whittling sticks, setting up the tent, and exploring their surroundings that they don't need anything else. The exception is a small picture book for bedtime stories – that's a must for us.

10 tips for trekking with children

Here are 10 tips for trekking with children - including a packing list and equipment tips:

THE THING WITH THE TOILET

There are plenty of quiet places in the forest - but at the trekking sites there's one with a heart!

The campsites usually have composting toilets. The stylish wooden building with a door is always positioned away from the trekking site – so you can leave the door open.

The composting toilet is essentially a compost heap. After use, take a scoop of litter (located in the bucket next to the toilet) and throw it on top. Use toilet paper sparingly, as it decomposes more slowly.

The toilet is a whole adventure in itself for the children: "Why isn't there a sink?", "Where does the poop go?", "Why does it smell so bad in here?" - Yes, it's not exactly pleasant. But it's okay for one night.

Make sure the toilet lid is closed, otherwise the composting process won't work. With the last outhouse we used, we even had a small rain barrel. Apparently, there are even outhouses with solar lighting – what a luxury! ;-)

Dare to!

Conclusion: Stepping out of your comfort zone will put you in a new time zone!

After the harsh restrictions of the pandemic, this break will completely slow you down.

Lose the sense of deadlines, time, or quickly doing things on the side – after this time, we all deserve it, our children most of all!

And you'll be their heroes, whether you lit the campfire with a whetstone or biodegradable firelighters. You don't need a bushcraft workshop to spend a night under the stars—just the courage to call your friends and arrange a date! Have fun and feel free to send me a picture! I'm eager to hear how your adventure went!