4.7
(184)
620
hikers
Hochfelsweg Trail
03:21
12.3km
180m
Hiking
Hike the moderate 7.7-mile Hochfelsweg Trail in Mehlinger Heide, exploring ancient Roman roads, mysterious rock formations, and tranquil lak
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Mehlinger Heide
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
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4.27 km
Ancient Roman Road Meisental (Mysterious Time Signs)
Highlight • Historical Site
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6.00 km
Schallbrunnerweiher
Highlight • Lake
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7.46 km
Hochfels Rock Formation
Highlight • Natural Monument
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8.11 km
Eichelberg Menhir – Mysterious Time Markers
Highlight • Monument
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11.6 km
Little Mehlinger Heath (East Part)
Highlight (Segment) • Natural
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12.3 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.94 km
2.96 km
412 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
7.82 km
2.26 km
1.20 km
504 m
331 m
236 m
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Elevation
Highest point (350 m)
Lowest point (240 m)
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Weather
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Saturday 23 May
30°C
14°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it typically take to hike the Hochfelsweg Trail?
The trail is approximately 12.3 kilometers long and generally takes around 3 hours and 21 minutes to complete. This duration can vary based on your pace and how much time you spend exploring the various points of interest.
Is the Hochfelsweg Trail suitable for beginners?
The Hochfelsweg Trail is classified as a moderate hike. It requires good fitness and sure-footedness, with an ascent and descent of approximately 180 meters. While some sections may be steep, it is not considered technically difficult, making it manageable for hikers with some experience.
What historical and natural landmarks can I see along the route?
The trail is rich in history and natural beauty. You'll encounter the Ancient Roman Road Meisental, the idyllic Schallbrunnerweiher, and the impressive Hochfels Rock Formation, which gives the trail its name. Other highlights include the mysterious Eichelberg Menhir and sections of the Little Mehlinger Heath.
What is the terrain like on the Hochfelsweg Trail?
The terrain is varied, primarily running through forested areas. You'll walk on diverse paths, including a field path, a segment of the ancient Roman paved road known as the "Uhrweg," and paths descending into the Eselsbachtal. The landscape offers a mix of natural forest environments and open areas.
Is the Hochfelsweg Trail a circular route?
Yes, the Hochfelsweg Trail is designed as a circular route, bringing you back to your starting point without needing to retrace your steps.
Where can I park to access the Hochfelsweg Trail?
Specific parking information is not provided in the available data, but as a circular route, it typically starts and ends at a designated trailhead with parking facilities. It's advisable to check local signage or online maps for the most convenient parking areas near the Mehlinger Heide.
Are there any permits or entrance fees required for the Hochfelsweg Trail or Mehlinger Heide?
Based on available information, there are no specific permits or entrance fees mentioned for hiking the Hochfelsweg Trail or accessing the Mehlinger Heide. However, it's always good practice to check for any local regulations or changes before your visit.
Is the Hochfelsweg Trail dog-friendly?
While the trail passes through natural areas, specific regulations regarding dogs are not detailed. Generally, dogs are welcome on trails in the region, but it's recommended to keep them on a leash, especially in sensitive natural areas like the Mehlinger Heide, and to clean up after them.
What is the best time of year to hike the Hochfelsweg Trail?
The trail can be enjoyed in various seasons. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful foliage. Summer is also suitable, though some sections might be more exposed. Winter hiking is possible, but be prepared for potentially muddy or icy conditions, especially in forested areas.
Does the Hochfelsweg Trail connect with other hiking paths?
Yes, the route intersects with several other paths. It covers 100% of the Hochfelsweg itself and also passes through sections of the Hinkelsteinweg, the Long-distance trail Donnersberg-Donon, and the Pfälzerwald Blau-Gelber Balken (Lauterecken <=> St. Germanshof), among others.
What makes the Hochfelsweg Trail part of the 'Mysterious Signs of Time' theme?
The trail is a key part of the "Rätselhafte Zeitzeichen" (Mysterious Signs of Time) theme trails due to its fascinating insights into the past. It features several ancient stone settings, including menhirs and the "Steinallee," believed to date back to the Bronze or Stone Age and possibly connected to astronomical events. These historical elements offer a unique journey through time.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
After the somewhat more strenuous round yesterday, today we spontaneously went on a smaller round nearby. I walked the Hochfelsweg a few years ago without recording it. This will now be done for completeness. The path is fine, but nothing more. There are a few interesting signs of the times along the way, but unfortunately you are mainly on wide paths and not much on paths.
The dachshund couldn't go any faster, but he was very brave and persevered❣️
The Hochfelsweg is another circular hiking trail with "mysterious time signs". It starts at the "Mehlinger Heide" hiking car park. You get there by driving left from the A63 (Sembach exit) onto the L 401 and staying on this road through Mehlingen towards Fröhnerhof. Then it is on the right at the end of the village. First you go a short way through meadows and then behind the Frönerhof at the "Revolutionary Wars" time sign turn right into the forest to numerous other mysterious time signs. Each of them gives reason to think about the history and geology of the area and to read about it later. For me, that is also part of hiking: not only do I experience nature, but also discover many things that I later research and collect information about. I then link this information via Basecamp so that the context is not lost. Unfortunately, you can clearly hear the noise of the motorway for the first few kilometers. Between km 3.5 and 4.0 and 6.5 and 8.0 the path also goes uphill at a sporty pace. At km 12 the path then turns right into the heath. The heath doesn't bloom until August, but I think this landscape has a very special charm in winter too.
The hike is very scenic - but it is clouded by the noise of the motorway, which accompanies you to the Eselsbachtal, just like the stench from the disposal site 😕 The signage is also partially incomplete, especially towards the end of the way the way was very badly signposted, so that we looked for our own way back to the parking lot via the Heidepark area. At km 7.24 it goes steeply up the mountain to the Hohefels, without any shady trees, since everything here has been felled. Overall, there are very few benches along the route, mainly at the Schallbrunner Weiher.
Today we were in the partly unexplored, former settlement area of the Celts, which has a lot to offer, see also www.enkenbach-alsenborn.de. 1st part: Hochfelsweg First, we walked parts of the high rock path, which could have been used to set stones from the Bronze or Stone Age, whereby certain astronomical processes around the moon seem to play a special role. The stone avenue of the Meisenberg, various menhirs (!) And the mysterious high rock are probably the most important stops. I am always impressed by what people in the distant past already knew and created - with the simplest means! Anyone who goes on such “journeys” should bring their imagination and other imaginative people with them, because together you can better beam your thoughts back, the information steles help. Part 2: Mehlinger Heide The "Mehlinger Heide" is one of the largest heathlands in southern Germany! The nature reserve and bird sanctuary is 410 hectares - an XL soccer field has 1.08 hectares. Formerly forest, the area was used as a military training area at the time of World War I, then French, again German, US and finally returned in 1994. Congratulations to those who succeeded in giving this area back to nature! By the way: The summer or common heather (Calluna vulgaris), which characterizes the landscape of the Mehlinger Heide, is not an Erica, but forms its own genus Calluna. But it also belongs to the heather family. In contrast to most Erica species, the local common heather is deciduous and blooms in late summer, this year's highlight is August 20th. Just like lakes, this heather exuded a wonderful calm.
Today a tour from the series "Mysterious Signs of the Times" Hoher Fels. The tour is near the Mehlinger Heide, which is just beginning to bloom beautifully.🪻Which is why it is a good idea to do this tour now. At the end, at around 10km, you can change the tour to go directly to the large heath and hike it too 🚶♂️➡️🚶♀️👣👣🌝🌳🌲
Today I was once again on the road with the hiking friends Saarland in the Mehlinger Heide. It was a nice tour again.
Today, despite all the weather forecasts, we went to Mehlingen. Even though the motorways were unfortunately always acoustically present, the witnesses from the past, the old roads and paths, it was an interesting trip. 😃 And it stayed dry 💪