Adolf von Nassau hiking trail - Palatinate Forest

It was considered the last of the great battles of knights, and the only one in German history in which a ruler fell - that clash of the armies of King Adolf von Nassau and his archrival, Albrecht von Habsburg on July 2, 1298. After a good six-hour struggle man against man left Albrecht, who is said to have himself dealt the fatal blow to Adolf who fell from his horse, was victorious at the Wallstatt near the North Palatinate community of Göllheim. A "König-Adolf-Weg" keeps the memory alive beyond the day, the course of which was changed on the 725th anniversary of the battle. The battle site at the so-called Hasenbühl is now also included. The battle order is easy to imagine when you look over the slope. Strategic Albrecht stood favorably on the upper edge, while Nassauer had to run up against the mountain and the glowing midday sun. Several of the heavily armored knights fainted from their draft horses from overheating and, like the horses, were easily cut down. However, the total number of those who died is said to have been far fewer than commonly assumed, at a few hundred. The so-called King's Cross, where Adolf is said to have been killed, was chosen as the starting point for the now 17-kilometer circular route. His brother Gerlach later erected a stone cross that, renewed in 1611, has been protected by a neo-Gothic chapel since 1853. The explanation boards are rather scarce on the way. In addition, it is worth taking a look at the likewise renovated local museum. A diorama and life-size reconstructions illuminate the events in two rooms. At the high point of the hiking tour through wooded hills against the backdrop of the mighty Donnersberg massif, you will come across the ruins of Rosenthal Monastery. Even this Cistercian abbey was not unaffected by the events. On the eve of the battle, Albrecht moved into his quarters here, after which Adolf was initially buried there until he could be transferred to Speyer Cathedral after Albrecht was murdered in 1309. Since the reburial in the crypt, which was redesigned in 1900, the two adversaries have rested, grave after grave, united in death. A notice: The large car park in front of the Göllheim school and sports center is a good starting point; it is next to the arterial road (Königkreuzstraße) in the direction of Ramsen. For an entry that is a good two kilometers shorter, you drive about a kilometer further to the hiking car park. A sign over 200 meters shows the connection to König-Adolf-Weg. Its actual beginning is the Königskreuz about 200 meters in front of the large car park, where the track naturally also begins. To complete the shortened loop, look out for the fork 500 meters after “Ludwigsplatz”, from which you reach the car park after 400 meters with the green-blue line on the right. This variant would also be an option if you want to avoid the bumpy country lanes at Hasenbühl. Then down beyond the parking space on a separate footpath next to the little lane lined with linden trees. There are several places to stop along the way: "Kriegsberghütte" with a large outdoor seating area (served on Wednesdays and Sundays); "Göllheimer Häuschen" (Thursday to Sunday), Vesperstube "Arleshof" (varies, not on Sundays). - Rosenthal Monastery is freely accessible, the information room, Sundays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., guided tours at 2 p.m.; Museum Göllheim, Hauptstrasse 7, Tuesday and Thursday 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Based on the Friday print edition, there are further explanations and detailed directions at: www.faz.net/wandertipp

The Adolf-von-Nassau-Weg is one of the predicate hiking trails in the Palatinate. Entry is either in Rosenthal or Göllheim. I started in Göllheim and headed towards Arleshof. At a tri fork I walked towards a settlement following a hiking sign. I wouldn't do that again, but just continue to follow the hiking markings. I only walked the access route to the Stauf castle ruins as far as the Kesslerkreuz, since I've been to Stauf a few times. It's definitely worth a detour for someone who hasn't been there before. During the first half of the tour you mostly walk on wide, firmer paths, many gravel paths. Larger sections also run outside the forest, which is why I would recommend the tour for cooler summer days or spring/autumn. On the second half, from Rosethal back to Göllheim, you walk more on soft forest paths that are slightly rooted, which I liked better. On the tour you pass big highlights - I especially liked the Rosenthal monastery ruins - I missed the small ones that you see on other paths along the way, such as old boundary stones. Basically, the tour is certainly perfect for hikers who like to walk on wide, firmer paths. There are only shorter sections with uneven roots, meadow paths or steeper sections.

"Adolf von Nassau, once King of the Holy Roman Empire, gave his life in battle in 1298. Today, the Adolf von Nassau hiking trail, dedicated to him, leads through Göllheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, directly past the "Hasenbühl" battlefield as well as numerous cultural sites and monuments from past centuries. The motto of the 16.9-kilometer-long trail is "Discover history on the paths of kings!"" (Source: https://www.wanderbares-deutschland.de/wege/alle-wege/adolf-von-nassau-wanderweg-2791230f62) The trail begins at the Königskreuz in Göllheim, which commemorates Nassau's death. Passing the Jewish cemetery, the trail first crosses fields with beautiful views of the Donnersberg. I'll be passing through here again in about four months on my journey through Germany. The next few kilometers lead through a pretty forest. Around the Kriegsberg, you can discover small elf houses. The trail continues through the Arles settlement towards the Steinäcker settlement. Shortly before that, the trail descends into the forest again before passing the old Rosenthal cemetery and reaching Rosenthal Monastery. Nassau was buried there for several years. If you don't stop at the Rosenthaler Hof, you can stop at the historic Göllheimer Häuschen or at the Kriegsberghütte, or stop again. Another highlight awaits: the Ludwigshalle in honor of King Ludwig II. The final kilometers then run through fields with beautiful views of the Donnersberg and the surrounding Palatinate countryside. https://www.relive.com/view/vYvEG5jPPG6

Highly recommended tour. Diverse and many nice resting places.

“Discover history on the paths of the kings.” This is the motto of the around 20.7 km long predicate hiking trail in the Northern Palatinate, on which I'll be out on All Saints Day 2021 with Lars. The starting and finishing point of the circular route is the Königkreuzkapelle in Göllheim. Here is the Palatinate's oldest floor cross, which was erected to commemorate the death of King Adolf von Nassau († 1298), once King of the Holy Roman Empire. With a view of the Donnersberg, fields and forest sections follow, with the deciduous forest glowing in autumn colors. Shortly after the old Rosenthal cemetery, which is worth seeing, we reach the Rosenthal Abbey with its church ruins after about half of the way, in which King Adolf von Nassau was buried for eleven years. This almost mystical place is the absolute highlight of the tour. After a short visit, we continue hiking through dense deciduous forests. Shortly after the unfortunately closed war mountain hut of the Palatinate Forest Association Göllheim, we actually miss the Ludwigshalle. The last section of the hiking trail leads us over the battlefield "Hasenbühl", where King Adolf von Nassau lost his life in 1298 in a battle with the anti-king Albrecht of Austria. At the destination of the hike, shortly after our cars have reached the Königkreuzkapelle in Göllheim, rain sets in. Ultimately, it was a relaxed autumn hike, where we only missed a place to stop for refreshments.

The Adolf von Nassau hiking trail is a premium hiking trail in the Palatinate with a length of around 17.3 kilometers and an ascent of around 320 meters.  The tour begins at the Königskreuz in Göllheim, a monument that commemorates the death of King Adolf von Nassau. From there, the trail leads through varied landscapes, including picturesque forests and open meadows. A special highlight is the visit to the historic Rosenthal monastery, which allows you to delve deeply into the history of the region.  There are several places to stop along the way, such as the Göllheimer Häuschen inn and the Kriegsberghütte of the Palatinate Forest Association Göllheim, which invite you to rest and refresh yourself.  The trail is well signposted and is suitable for experienced hikers who are looking for a challenging day tour with cultural and scenic highlights. Take your time to enjoy the diverse nature and historical sites along the trail!

If you like to beat km, this is the place for you. There are a few delicacies, but they are not spectacular 😇 It is more of a quiet, contemplative tour with small romantic interludes. There are enough benches, albeit at larger intervals. Interesting the many different birdhouses hung by the bird club. There are three places to stop for refreshments on the tour.

Inspired by @Christian aus S. and @Pfadfreundin, today I made my way to Göllheim, where I met @whynot100 and @Martina 🐾. Together with our 4 🐕, we set off from the parking lot at the Hans-Appel-Halle. We spent a few nice hours of hiking in the woods and fields. We didn't walk into Rosenthal, we preferred to go around the top. And then a picnic at the Rosenthaler Weiher. We could have sat there forever. A real village idyll! If it's too sunny there, you walk a bit further and take a break on the sun lounger above Rosenthal. We didn't get anything at the Kriegsberghütte today. It was probably closed due to a meeting. Only acquaintances of the innkeeper got something to drink.😒 We spared the 🐕 the final round through Göllheim. Besides, we 🚺 didn't want to expose ourselves to civilization so quickly after the wonderful forest bath 🤭