Potzberg hiking trail
Our Potzberg circular hiking trail, certified by the German Hiking Institute, lets you explore the Potzberg, also known as the "King of the Westrich", over a distance of 14 kilometers.
Geological and historical highlights just waiting to be discovered!
But you will also be amazed by the views and vistas along the way!
The Potzberg is part of the "Palatinate Domes" and is located in the Königsland
landscape conservation area.
Its relative height of 562 meters and, above all, its massive appearance make the mountain, which was formed in the Permo-Carboniferous period, a striking elevation in the Western Palatinate.
Napoleon took advantage of this and erected an observation tower, which was also used for land surveying. The first stone "Moser Tower" made the mountain a real tourist attraction in 1893, and in 1952 today's Potzberg Tower was built, which we are happy to recommend as a starting point.
The Potzberg was an important mining center in the Palatinate from the beginning of the 18th century until 1866. Cinnabar ores were extracted and the Electoral Palatinate hoped that mercury mining would provide new sources of income. However, only a few mines proved to be successful and lasted for a long time. The Dreikönigszug, which operated for almost nine decades, was one of the most profitable mercury mines in the Palatinate and Germany.
Even today, surface relics such as mouth holes, collapsed tunnels and slag heaps can be found at every turn in the forest.
A highlight that you can also discover by exploring the Potzberg hiking trail is the "Yellow Water" drainage tunnel.
If you do the handkerchief test here (briefly hold a paper handkerchief in the water and take it out again), you will
understand how it got its name.
In addition to interesting flora and fauna (the red foxglove is its characteristic plant), the Potzberg
offers traces of Roman settlements, sparse remains of a castle that was demolished in the late Middle Ages, fountains, protruding rock conglomerate and relaxing forest areas.
There is never a dull moment on your circular route on the Potzberg and there is always something new for the eye to discover.
