Kell am See is located in Hunsrück Hochwald. The diverse countryside with numerous natural monuments and a beautiful lake make this region so appealing. Throughout the year various leisure activities such as gliding, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and more are offered. For music fans, Kell’s ‘Highway to Kell’ featuring nonmainstream bands should not be missed!

Kell am See
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Touristinformation Hochwald Ferienland
Alte Mühle
54427 Kell am See
Phone 06589-1044
Distance from Spangdahlem 70 km

A walk through the great Butzerbachtal begins at the most impressive castle ruins of Ramstein Castle. The archaeological circular route starts below the castle, and from there into the Butzerbach valley and waterfalls. Above the valley is a former Roman copper mine dating back to the middle of the second century AD. Another highlight of the trail Klaus Caverns created through erosion. Not far away is the stronghold on a rocky plateau above the Kyll Valley that once served as a mountain fortress for the Celts. Another attraction is Genovevahöhle (St. Genoveva Cavity).

Butzerbachtal
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Tourist-Informationen Trierer Land
Moselstr. 1
54308 Langsur-Wasserbilligerbrück
Phone 06501-602666
WEB
Distance from Spangdahlem 25 km

The historical city Kronenburg is without doubt one of the most beautiful and picturesque towns in the Eifel. Located on a hilltop high above the Kyll Valley, Kronenburg offers little romantic alleyways, halftimbered houses, castle ruins with walls and historic ensembles. Worth seeing is the late-Gothic Church of St. John the Baptist. The Kronenburger Lake is heaven for fishers, boaters, windsurfers and swimmers. Surfing is permitted on the entire lake. Paddle boats and rowing boats may be hired. Not to be missed is the romantic Christmas market on the first Advent weekend.

Kronenburg
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Tourist-Information Oberes Kylltal
Phone 06597-2878
WEB
Distance from Spangdahlem 65 km

The idyllic Eiswoog lake, home to freshwater trout, char, and frolicking crayfish, is fed from seven different sources. This natural paradise offers a great place to swim and hike. From here, you can see an impressive historic railway bridge that spans the valley. In the Seehaus Forelle, a light, natural cuisine with regional products is served. The hotel attached to the restaurant is a wonderful place for relaxation.

Seehaus Forelle
Eiswoog 1
67305 Ramsen
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Phone (06356) 6 08 80
WEB

…and head to the beach! At the Strandbad Gelterswoog (natural beach Gelterswoog) in KL-Hohenecken, there is everything that the carefree summer heart desires: sea water, shallow shore, red sandy beach, and lush lawns. In addition to swimming, the facility offers canoe rides. Children can play around on the adventure playground and adults can relax in the beer garden. A campsite on the south shore of the lake offers family-friendly overnight experiences.

Strandbad Gelterswoog
Gelterswoog 2
67661 Kaiserslautern
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Phone (0152) 53 19 19 11
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At this lake, the Palatinate Forest (“Pfälzerwald”) shows off its prettiest side: the idyllic

Hääschdner Paddelweiher offers everything for kids and adults alike. It provides popular summer fun in one fell swoop: paddle boating, hiking, biking and an adventure playground for active people - resting, watching, and feasting for leisurely visitors. Completing the fairytale atmosphere found here at the lake is the Paddelweiher hut, an attractive restaurant with regional cuisine. Enjoy a delicious fish dish with a tangy Palatine wine under large umbrellas.

Paddelweiher Hütte
Dahnerstr. 100
76846 Hauenstein
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Phone (0 63 92) 99 45 18
WEB
Open March-November, daily 10.30 am - 7.30 pm
Closed Mondays

It is amazing how the flora and fauna unfold without human interference. Originally designed as a fish pond, the lake Pfälzerwoog has developed uninhibited for many years. The result is a unique wetland biotope in the eponymous nature reserve Pfälzerwoog. Today, rare plants such as sundew or cranberry thrive there, and frogs, amphibians, and dragonflies frolic on the moor. The trail begins at the amusement park Birkenfeld in Ludwigswinkel.

Biosphärenhaus Pfälzerwald/Nordvorgesen
Am Königsbruch 1
66996 Fischbach bei Dahn
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Phone 0 63 93 9 21 00
WEB

Enjoy the peace and quiet and recharge. Located away from the city in Hammerbachtal, the water-rich nature and landscape reserve, "Vogelwoog-Schmalzwoog" lets you do just that. One of the highlights of the oasis: birdwatching. In the reserve, time seems to stand still as the butterflies dance in the light or gray herons sail in elegant loops over the park. The lakes and forests are enjoyed best through meditative nature observation or sporty hikes.

Vogelwoog
Vogelwoogstraße 100
67659 Kaiserslautern
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The landscape park Strecktal is very close to Pirmasens’ city center and was built between 1998 and 2001. Stretching across 17 acres, the “green lungs” are used as a multifunctional recreation area by visitors. There’s a Disc-Golf installation where you can get twelve holes in as well as a skate park. Adventure, water playground, and a barefoot path are ideal for energetic and adventurous young people. You can also spend your time treading in the Kneipp-basin or biking on the 24,8 kilometers long Dynamikum trail that leads you over the border to France. At the center of this park, you can find a pond with a stage, a small waterfall with its creeks, and a Poissy-Garden to stay in.

Strecktalpark Pirmasens
Fröhnstraße 8
66954 Pirmasens
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The Ludwigsturm (Ludwig’s Tower) is located about 1.4 kilometers west of the local church

Dannenfels on the 687 meter high Donnersberg. The original plans for the octagonal building failed in 1842 due to financing, but on the second attempt In 1864/65, the tower completed thanks to the tower construction committee. The tower’s namesake, King Ludwig II from Bavaria, never visited the tower. But, on the occasion of the 130 year anniversary in 1995, Prince Leopold of Bavaria visited and enjoyed the magnificent view over large parts of the Palatine Bergland over to Rheinhessen and into the Odenwald towards Taunus.

Ludwigsturm (Ludwig’s Tower)
67814 Dannenfels
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27 meters tall, 142 steps to the top
Open on weekends and holidays. Tuesday-Friday from 2 pm - 5.30 pm, a key to the tower can be picked up (with deposit) in the tourist office in Dannenfels, Oberstraße 14
WEB

Photo: Norbert Schlich

The Luitpold tower was built in 1909 in the district Merzalben in the Palatine Forest and offers a breathtaking panoramic view over the largest connected forest area in Germany. When the sky is clear, you can see the Vosges. The lookout tower has been a listed building since 1993 and the Luitpold tower association takes care of its maintenance. An extension of the tower can be used as a hideout for bad weather or as a picnic area.

Luitpoldturmverein e.V.
Am Etschberg 3
66999 Hinterweidenthal
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Phone (06396) 519
WEB

Walking through the Mehlinger Heide (Mehlingen Heathlands) is an adventure for the eyes; it’s one of the largest and most beautiful moors on the edge of the biosphere reserve Palatinate Forest (Pfälwerwald) - Vosges du Nord. This nature and bird sanctuary was created by chance on land formerly used for military purposes. The moor is especially charming when the flowers bloom in July and August—but it is also interesting during other seasons. Two designated trails, the moor experience trails, run through the area. Don’t miss out on the carriage ride!

Mehlinger Heide
An der Heide 10
67678 Mehlingen
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WEB
Pony and carriage rides only available by appointment, call (0631) 3 60 63 84

The Mannebach Microbrewery in Saarburg claims to be the smallest brewery in Germany. Since 1994 Mannebach has been brewing and serving natural beer. They have now upgraded to restaurant and can offer their guests fantastic food and their brew at affordable prices. Closed Wednesdays.

Mannebacher Brauhaus Hans-Günter Felten e.K.
Hauptstraße 1
54441 Mannebach
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Distance from Spangdahlem 70 km

This candle-making company is of the few remaining in Germany. Both traditional and modern candles are manufactured here. Michael Moll creates small batches, sculptures or flowers from wax all done by hand. Wide selections of candles are available in adjoining gift shop to find. A tour of the workshop is possible.

Eifeler Wachswarenmanufaktur
Kurfürstenstraße 39
54531 Manderscheid
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Phone: 06572-2180
Distance from Spangdahlem 20 km

The famous impressionist Claude Monet was enthralled by the timeless beauty and elegance of the water lilies, just as the international art scene still is today: his water lily paintings are among the most sought-after and expensive paintings in the world. Nature lovers travel not to France, but to the West Palatinate, to admire these floating beauties in all their splendor. In the Moosbachtal near Dahn, the graceful flowers cover the wetland Kranzwoog from June to September; lounger chairs invite you to pause and dream. The starting point for enjoying these sights is in the Mosbachtal-Sträßchen (Mosbach valley street) in Dahn.

Dahner Hütte
Pfälzerwald-Verein
Im Schneiderfeld
66994 Dahn
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Phone 0 63 91 17 93
Open April-October 10 am - 6 pm, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

One of the best ways to experience the Mosel landscape is by boat. One can be in awed at the natural wonders of the Mosel Valley with its famous steep vine-yards, bizarre rock formations, numerous castles, monasteries and ever so charming villages and towns with its historical wine cellars and buildings. The German side of the Mosel is over 200 km long where various boats and ships cruise. Throughout the river are steep inclines where multiple locks help tame the water. Six different shipping companies cruise the river offering options on both large and small luxury ships. From Easter until the autumn, visitors may cruise the Mosel on a regular schedule, some even stopping at larger towns. Some cruise ships even offer wine tasting on board.

Moselland Touristik
Phone: 06571-97330

Time seems to have stopped in the middle of the old town of Rockenhausen. Here, in a restored farmstead, "The Museum of Time - Palatine Tower Clock Museum" has its home. One listens to the steady ticking of the clocks, observes the interlocking of drive and tooth, and experiences the passage of time. The collection includes tower clocks, rare precision and garden sundials, decorative sundials, and hourglasses. The heart of the museum is the Clock Tower with the Astronomical Clock of Rockenhausen, one of the most accurate and versatile among modern astronomical clocks.

Museum für Zeit – Pfälzisches Turmuhrenmuseum
Schlossstraße 10
67806 Rockenhausen
GOOGLE MAPS
Phone (06361) 34 30 or (0 63 61) 45 12 52
Open Tuesday-Sunday 2.30 pm - 5.30 pm
Group tours available by appointment

Mackenbach is a typical musician's village, characterized by musician families. "Mackenbacher" became the nickname for the traveling musicians from the Palantinate who roamed the world in the 19th century. The Musician’s Museum (Musikantenmuseum) provides insights the lives and work of these people through photos and documents. Two life size musicians made of plaster show the visitors the entrance to this realm of music. Old and new instruments from all over the world are presented in the two main rooms. And, as a surprise, Frank Sinatra’s connection to the Mackenbacher musicians is revealed here.

Musikantenmuseum Mackenbach
Schulstraße 10
67686 Mackenbach
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Phone (0 63 74) 60 65
WEB
Open Sunday 2 pm - 5 pm and by appointment

Who would have thought that such a spacious nature reserve with a plethora of protected animal and plant species was located right in the vicinity of Eisenberg? Erdekaut was once a mining trail and has since been left to itself for decades. Today, it’s a nature preserve complete with three hiking trails that guide visitors through the unique nature. Kids will love the large slide, mud pool, and the largest sandpit in the Pfalz.

Verbandsgemeinde Eisenberg
Hauptstraße 86
67304 Eisenberg
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Phone: (0 63 51) 40 70
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The Naturfreundehaus (nature-friend house) Finsterbrunnertal is ideal for hikers. The inviting house is open all year round and is located in the Karlstal near Kaiserslautern. Here, off the beaten path hikers can dive directly into the pleasurable silence and listen to the lively murmur of the Moosalb. The house offers enough space for hiking groups, children, youth, and family vacations. Sit comfortably together and enjoy the company over a hearty meal.

Naturfreundehaus Finsterbrunnertal
67705 Finsterbrunnertal
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Phone (06306) 28 82
WEB